Players reunite for anniversary
The Horowhenua Ka¯ piti Rugby Football Union 125th Year Anniversary has featured an anniversary dinner, an old timers’ day and a reunion luncheon.
The dinner, in the Levin Memorial Hall, catered by Ruth Pretty Catering, featured interviews by Bevan (Alfie) Sanson (Horowhenua Ka¯ piti representative #939) with current All Black and Black Fern, Dane Coles and Selica Winiata.
“We’re very thankful to Dane and Selica for taking time out of their busy schedules to be at this event,” Horowhenua Ka¯ piti Rugby Union chief executive Corey Kennett ( representative #897) said.
“Both Dane and Selica have strong links to clubs in Horowhenua Ka¯ piti, Dane being a Paraparaumu RFC junior and Selica an Athletic RFC junior.”
A special presentation was also made to Horowhenua Ka¯ piti Heartland team manager Nathan Picchi (representative #1057), who received his blazer after three years as the Heartland manager.
The old timers’ day recognised all former players, coaches, referees, volunteers and administrators who have been a part of Horowhenua Ka¯ piti rugby.
“The Old Timers’ Day was a great chance for us to say thank you to a large number of our rugby community who have contributed to rugby in Horowhenua Ka¯ piti,” Kennett said.
“From players right through to volunteers who have been the heart of ‘Nua rugby, this was our opportunity to acknowledge everyone.”
The main attraction for the Old Timers’ Day was seeing the Horowhenua Ka¯ piti Heartland team grind out a win against neighbours Wairarapa Bush 37-21.
The finale of the weekend was the reunion of the Horowhenua Ka¯ piti 1993 national third division championship winning side.
The reunion, 25 years on from their win, had players and team management travel from overseas to attend.
A good chunk of the ’93 squad were able to get along to one, if not all, of the events of the weekend, which included a Sunday lunch at Fatboyz Bar in Levin, which is also an HKRFU sponsor.
To this day, the 1993 side are the only team from Horowhenua Ka¯ piti to win a championship in first-class rugby.
The dinner was held on Friday, Old Timers Day on Saturday, and luncheon on Sunday over the weekend of September 21-23. Horowhenua Kapiti rugby results from Saturday Heartland: Horowhenua Kapiti: 36 (A. Lahmert 2, W. Paia’aua, S. Cameron, T. Fermanis tries; J. So’oialo 4 con, pen) v King Country: 30. HT: 17-6.
U18: Horowhenua Kapiti: 26 v Wanganui: 29
U14: Horowhenua Kapiti: 27 v Wairarapa Bush: 27