The "200" Club

old for the Te Kauwhata under 7s, he played there till he was 13 years old when his family moved south to Aparima. He then played for Otautau for two years in the Under 16s when he was only 13. In 1995 he started his career with Midlands, starting in the Under 15s, with Malcolm Dunn the coach. He then played through all the grades, untill he played his first senior game in 1998. In 2004 Blair went to Woodlands to try and have a crack at the Premier Grade, but after only playing two games, he cracked his sternum, which put an end to his Premier hopes. The next year he came back to his beloved Midlands, where he has been playing ever since. Every year apart from one, Blair has represented Southland at rugby, getting as far as the Southland Development Team, at present he is playing for the Southland Country team.

Blair puts his time down with Midlands, as being the best times of his life, with all the comeraderie of his mates, the social times, and the clubs ability to make everyone feel welcome, and feel like part of the club, he said "what more do you want." He also said "That without the help of his wife Melissa, getting to the 200th game would've been alot harder."

In short Blair Vinning is one of those truly remarkable guys, who is an out and out Midlands man, his last words at the prize giving, summed it up " I love you barstards." Rock on Blair.