Waiapu Dream Big
ANZ DREAM BIG
Te Urunga o te Ra Sports & Recreation Club is the governing umbrella for the Waiapu Rugby Club. Rugby was revived and players united from the old clubs in 1977 and formed Waiapu, the rep name used back in the days.Waiapu Rugby Club comprises of people from two neighbouring communities called TikiTiki and Rangitukia . We are situated 150kms north of Gisborne and are affiliated to the East Coast Rugby Sub Union.
Waiapu has produced many great players such as the Late George Nepia,Wetini Tuhoro, Ben Tuhoro, Casey Wanoa, Ben Horua, Naera Reihana, Elias Manuel , and many many more.
The land on which the rugby field and Clubrooms now stands was gifted by two elderly women in the 1940's to encourage the continuation of Rugby and other sports in the Waiapu area, but was mainly used by the club known as Rangers.
Unfortunately, due to employment commitments , 80% of our players reside in Gisborne and travel each weekend to play in the East Coast competitions, from Cape Runaway in the north to Tolaga Bay in the South. The boys fundraise themselves to help with travel expenses, running sausage sizzles,etc. Typically they are dedicated to their club and their whakapapa. Needless to say they have produced some fantastic rugby, typically grassroots and have been leaders of the competition in the past, in fact 15 times, one year winning all 12 trophies.
Fundraising is always an issue in small communities, so most of our income is derived during home games in the rugby season. Sometimes we will use social media to sell raffles , as it is almost impossible for the 20% at home to maintain and fundraise for the upkeep of the Clubrooms and grounds.
I am mum to one of the players and aunt to all and was seconded onto the committee as club secretary in March after the secretary left the area. I have been driving the boys to keep fundraising , so we can upgrade our Clubrooms and repair all the things that need repairing. Hence we are now having a fundraising day in November.
Our Clubrooms is a double garage built mid 1970's by members of the community and the players and is starting to outlive its appearance. Although we struggle to maintain it, we do our utmost to keep it functioning for Senior rugby, JAB ( junior rugby ) , community activities, Social Services programmes, School holiday programmes & private functions ( at the discretion of the committee) and of course the local kura who use the field for athletics.
Our children have to travel to other areas as well for their weekend games, as we don't have the area to produce more fields, so hence we are unable to host.
Our club is greatly supported by the community during the Rugby season and I would like to see the same support for the 2016 season and thereafter.
It would be the ultimate dream come true if we could get our Clubrooms either replaced or repaired to pristine condition. This would instil pride and respect for the Clubrooms by all who use it.
To have a new clubhouse, floodlights for night training, good water supply , proper catering / kitchen facilities, proper ablution block and new jerseys are an ultimate dream or alternatively to upgrade our facilities including the concrete floor , which has seen alot of foot traffic over the years , repair all the damaged areas and of course the video and photographs indicate our building conditions. This won't deter us though, cause we are a determined people and will continue in the spirit of Sport.
Kia kaha Waiapu !!!!
Te Teko under 10s vs. Taneatua first half
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Baywide rugby returns to Matakana Island
Premier rugby returned to Matakana Island yesterday when Te Puna moved their Baywide Premiership clash with Whakarewarewa to the island. It was a day to celebrate the links between the two clubs and the Island.
The football bond between Te Puna and Matakana Island are long established and are still active today.
Tame Kuka, Te Puna Kaumātua says Matakana Island people have for a long time Te Puna Rugby, and Te Puna have decided taking a premier game to the Island is a way of giving back, helping raise money for the Island's own rugby club. As well as ensuring the next generation knows the connection.
Te Puna captain Te Aihe Toma is one such Matakana Island local who is returning home, Personally it's a great opportunity for me to come back to my home roots. Not only staying in Te Puna but to bring it over to the Island where we also bred a lot of people who come through and play for Te Puna as well.
Whakarewarewa captain Jesse Mason-Grant enjoyed the experience, saying, You really can't beat it, eh. We definitely made history today. And it's good to get the smaller communities involved with the Bay of Plenty rugby.
There have been many Whakarewarewa players over the years who have links back to Matakana, and even now there are some players who can trace whakapapa back to Matakana Island. Whakarewarewa kaumātua John Tapiata, says when Te Puna asked them to celebrate this day with Te Puna, they said they will be there.
It's not every day rugby teams travel to a game on a barge, or even on the back of a tractor. But regardless of the method of transporta game is still a game, regardless of the method of transport.
Te Puna held a 20-8 score at the break. But Te Puna showed the fans why they're currently sitting at the top of the Baywide table, eventually running out 46-14 victors. Scoring some enterprising long range tries on the way.
Mason-Grant says, It was definitely a game of two halves, I think Te Puna definitely brought it out there and showed their class. And definitely proved why they're leading in the top 8 premier division.
Toma agreed it was a game of two halves, adding We knew they were going to bring it right through. It was just a matter of absorbing that and waiting and striking in those key moments.
As the cliche says, rugby was the winner on the day. But maybe Tapiata sums up the day on Matakana better when he acknowledges the Matakana Island hospitality as being the embodiment of the philosophy, love and respect one another.
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WORDS OF THE WISE: I tēnei hōtaka, ka kōrero mai ētahi kaumātua tokoono mō ō rātou whakaaro mō te rangatiratanga, te taiao, te mātauranga, te ao wairua, te tōrangapū, te reo Māori me ngā tikanga.
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Directors of Photography: Johan Daniel Apiata, Mana Epiha, Jake Farani-Faga, Johnny Renata, Riki Reinfeld, Peter Lee, Maringi Houkamau
Field Sound/Cam. Assists.: Trenton Rapana, Dean Judd
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Ko Ngati Puukenga tetahi o nga iwi e toru i Tauranga Moana - ko Awanuiaarangi Black tetahi o o ratou mangai korero.
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