Rejuvenating rugby league in Hawera
‘‘ If we keep on doing the same things we're getting the same results.’’
In 1994 the Southern Rugby Club was formed after the amalgamation of three local clubs. Today, the Hawera Hawks rugby league club is considering a similar option.
In an attempt to rejuvenate rugby league in the region, many clubs have formed working groups to see what they can do for the sport - in particular the premier, senior teams.
Lew Kahui, the chairman for the Hawera Hawks, said they have had trouble pulling together a premier team because of a lack of players.
‘‘We’ve always had one, it’s just been the last four years it’s been challenging for us,’’ he said. ’’And if we keep on doing the same things we’re getting the same results.’’
Kahui said the idea had been raised to form a separate team, a separate club, a senior club only to cater for the two southern clubs, the Hawks and the Normanby Knights.
‘‘It won’t be called the Hawera Hawks or Normanby Knights but it’s a team that both southern clubs, once their under 17s are finished, can play for,’’ he said. ‘‘Because there’s a bit of rivalry as well.’’
Kahui, who has been involved in the Hawks since he started playing at the age of 14, said there was a time when rugby league was booming for the Hawks.
‘‘When I was playing in the 80s and 90s, but even recently up until five six years ago, we had two teams, we had a premier team, and a development team,’’ he said. ’’We were making semis, finals.’’
Kahui said the area was once servicing three ‘‘really competitive teams’’, but they would prefer to have less teams, than none at all.
‘‘As long as there’s a senior team running around, but we need players to service that team,’’ he said.
Kahui said with hope there would be a chance of revamping the Western Alliance competition that used to be played at the start of the season between Taranaki and Manawatu/Whanganui teams.
The junior rugby league competition is doing well in Taranaki, but it’s the senior grade where it’s lacking.
‘‘There’s a league community in South Taranaki, but they’re not getting what they need,’’ Kahui said.
He said there was a lot of history attached to the club and opinions were welcome.