I have vivid memories of when I was a kid, going to Rotorua international Stadium and watching the bay get slammed by 40 odd points to Otago (thankfully that was just reversed yesterday!), or the French throwing an excited salute as they score the match winner against the Bay in the dying minutes of their tour game. This was of course after they'd stomped over half the Bay pack like rabid dogs, and consequently many of the Bay players required a few stitches after that one.

But like any team, they have had their glory. And there have been some sweet moments to savour. Remember when Damon Kaui scored the match winner in the corner at Rotorua International Stadium to claim the international scalp of the Wallabies? Or how about when the Bay finally beat Nelson Bays in Tauranga Domain to finally make there way back into the rugby paradise of the 1st Division?... and of course now we have the shield victory.

For some strange reason, people end up moving away from their homeland at some stage or another. For me, I have been away from the Bay and NZ for three years now. And that means three precious NPC first division seasons!

After coming to Japan, a land where a professional game of rugby may draw in 20,000 spectators - but a university game can pull in 80,000 spectators, I was lost. I had no computer and the only way I could get rugby results was from my mates in NZ (thanks Don and John!) sending me messages to my phone. So I had to wait in anticipation every weekend to see what would pop up on my phone screen. But then I heard that the NPC was actually screened on SKY satellite Japan. A couple of days later I had my satellite hooked up and was rearing to go. Bay glory was only a few inches away... but no. The Sky NPC rugby was televised as only one game a week, and as the producer of SKY sports Japan was from Canterbury, NZ, as you can imagine, there were no Bay of Plenty games broadcast!

I eagerly awaited the next season, knowing that the Bays reasonable performance the year earlier should lead to at least one televised game... but no! Last year, SKY sport Japan decided that the English domestic competition was far superior to the NPC and subsequently the NPC was dumped altogether!! Could it get any worse for a Bay supporter???

So I trudged back home after doing my time in Japan, but only to get a job working in America at a summer camp. As everyone knows, America and rugby don't mix. "why can't I pass the ball forward?" , "the ball looks like a watermelon"... I know you can feel my pain. But soon came the day when we challenged for the shield. I knew we had a chance, every Bay supporter did. So there I was huddled around a computer in the middle of the night, reading the live scoring off nzoom.com. The place was deserted, and I felt like a primitive caveman watching the computer screen every second to see if there was a score update. This was worse than radio, not even sound, just a score board and a few comments. It came to the end and I was a trembling mess. And then came the full time hooter. Boo-yah! We did it! I screamed out loud and ran around the camp ground shouting for joy! I was so excited that it took me a number of hours before I could get back to sleep. my precious.... the precious shield was finally ours!

So as you can see, living overseas and trying to follow your favourite club is not the easiest thing in the world. But any true supporter can do it. I'd definitely like to thank the BOP Mafia for all their hard work and dedication to the cause, constant updates and various ramblings. It would have been a lot harder to get by without you guys. Also all the true supporters who have endured all of those tough years, you've stuck in there, and now we are reaping the rewards!

And finally to the Bay Of Plenty Steamers, you are No. 1. Always will be. First, second, or third division, you're still the best. Don that mighty blue and gold jersey and do us proud!