ABOUT SPOOFING
Spoofing has grown in popularity and numbers over the years, and there are many spoofing schools and many thousands of people who Spoof around the globe. WorldSpoofers is a fraternity of like-minded Gentlemen who, through rugby and other auspicious occasions, gather for Spoofing on a regular basis worldwide. The following provides both context and history of Spoofing and how WorldSpoofing came into existence.
Origins & Founding Fathers
Whilst spoofing (as we know it) has been traced back to its origin in China, the famous Dutch distiller “Bols” have carried 3 spoofing coins on some of their products dating back to 1800! However the present day “Spoofing” has its own origin on the Cotswolds in the West Country where the founding fathers were the late:
Mr John Endacott
Mr Jimmy Gardiner
Mr Eddie Orchard
Mr Wyndham Jones (of the rule 21 fame)
Mr Dougie Dash
The young men of the families were allowed to watch and listen.
The Rugby Connection
Sport retained its influence in Spoofing Societies. London started its own Rugby Football team, South Africa its own Association Football team (and Cricket Team).
The Footballers (of both codes) wear the coloured strip of the 8 founder members of the IRB.
England; Wales; Ireland; Scotland; France; South Africa; New Zealand; Australia
Mr. Robin Gale designed the similar coloured striped 'Spoofers Blazer' material, to which Simon 'Stretch' Rumney was the recipient of the first Blazer. This aptly captures the Spoofers love of Rugby Football and is seen at all World Spoofing Championships and World Rugby Football Championships.
To be eligible for the Blazer, one has to have competed at a World Spoofing Championship, outside of their country of residence. The Bolt of Cloth' is kept under close protection by the very famous Mike 'Darkie' Marais.
The 8 National colours are each separated by the “yellow” chosen by the Spoofers as a fair reflection of their bravery both on and off the field of play.
World Spoofing Championships
On Kershaw's return to New Zealand in 1977 he introduced the game to such great sportsmen as Murray Mexted and Peter Brooks. This triumvirate enthused players of New Zealand's other great game, Rugby Union, so much that luminaries such as Andy Haden, Cowboy Shaw, Stu Wilson, Brett Codlin and Richard Mackenzie wished to participate to the full. All remain as regular spoofers to this day.
During the 1983 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, the Hosts decided that the first inaugural Spoofing World Championship should take place.
This was duly held at the famous Hotel St George (once host to the Queen) in Wellington New Zealand.
The 2nd World Championship was held in South Africa and the 3rd in London. The Championship has been held annually ever since in many different Countries, which is nominated by the current Champion each year.
Expansion of the Time Honoured Traditions
In the early 1970's Mr. William Endacott, son of John Endacott, introduced the 'Art of Spoof' to his friends in London where they congregated at the 'Builders Arms' after rugby practice and modern day “Spoofing” was born. The original members were:
William Endicott (of the Endacott 2 fame); Nick Poynton; Mike Sadlier; Stuart Haughton (of the Haughton 6 fame); Mike Storey; Peter Crerar; Malcolm Alchin; Stuart Dick; Richard Moore; Patrick Irvine; Graham Kershaw; Dougie Turnbull
It was time to spread the word ...
John Smithwick appeared from Ireland and became a regular attendee, developing his love for the game and going on to introduce spoof to a number of Irish Rugby Football Internationals, with Ollie Campbell taking up the mantle and forming the Old Belvedere Spoofing School.
In the mid 70’s the home of 'Spoof' moved to the Hollywood Arms, which then hosted Spoofing as the international home until the mid 80’s, under the watchful eye of the Acting Secretary Mr. Stephen “Bunter” Jackson.
Endacott moved to South Africa in 1976. Endacott was spreading the word and encouraged many of his South African missionary’s, including Evert Abendanon and Geoff Cawood (of the Cawood pass fame) to visit the Hollywood Arms to meet and join the likes of Poynton, who, continued the traditions at the Hollywood Arms until it was time for him to move to the Middle East. Haughton moved to Brussels, Moore moved to Paris, Alchin moved to Australia, Crerar moved to Scotland (and anywhere a pipeline needed to be laid under the Ocean) Kershaw returned to New Zealand and Turnbull became the first Absent Friend to move to the Spoofers Snug Bar in the Sky! All introduced spoof to many of their new found friends.
From then on, Spoofing championships were held in the various countries under the 'Hollywood Rules'.
The Globalisation of Spoofing
As many of the “regular” London Spoofers moved to various parts of the globe and others from various parts of the world took the game home with them, new “schools” were formed and new participants encouraged to join the fraternity. Presently regular schools exist in:
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London, The Ship, Wandsworth
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Kent, Chapter Arms and Sankey’s on the Hill
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West of England, Minchinhampton
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Bangkok, Thailand (held at the British club) introduced by Mr Hugh Salmon
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Wellington, New Zealand (hosting 6 World Spoofing Championship wins)
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Hutt Valley, New Zealand - Home of 3 times NZSC, the infamous John 'filth 2' Brooks
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Sydney, Australia – Nick Farr-Jones, Greg Martin, David Campese are regulars
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Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand - home of the venerable Stan Clare (of the Doors)
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Christchurch, New Zealand - The Cannerbry School
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Melbourne, Australia
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Brisbane, Australia
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Tasmania, Australia
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Nelson, New Zealand
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Penkridge, Staffordshire, UK
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Paris, France
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Dubai, UAE
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Dublin, Ireland
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Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
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Bergen-op-Zoom, Netherlands (venue of the inaugural European Spoofing Championship)