League game will honour memories
Wiremu Karetai feels honoured to play in the memorial rugby league game that is being held to remember the eight people who died in the Easy Rider boating tragedy, including some of his family members.
Rewai ‘‘Spud’’ Karetai, Shane Topi, Peter Bloxham, John Henry Karetai, Boe Taikawa Gillies, David George Fowler, Odin Karetai and Paul Fowler-Karetai drowned when the Easy Rider capsized in Foveaux Strait on March 15, 2012.
Sole survivor Dallas Reedy was found alive in the water after he clung to a petrol can for 18 hours.
Wiremu said he and six other family members would be playing in the game, known as the Karetai Cup, in Invercargill on Saturday.
The game, in its eighth year, is always contested by Cooks and the Winton Warlords.
‘‘It’s a time to remember them [people who drowned] and show respect to them,’’ Wiremu said.
A minute’s silence will be observed before kickoff on Invercargill’s main league ground on Elles Rd.
Wiremu, who lost uncles and cousins in the boating tragedy, has played in all Karetai Cup games and is looking forward this year’s match.
The game took precedence over his softball commitments on Saturday, Wiremu said
‘‘[The cup] is probably the best game of the year for me.’’
Wiremu played regularly for the Winton Warlords and was grateful to the team’s coach, Andrew Osborn, for coming up with the idea of the Karetai Cup.
Osborn said the game brought league fans, the Karetai family and their friends together to remember the people who died in the Easy Rider tragedy.
‘‘It gives everyone the chance to remember and show respect,’’ he said.
The cup was first played for on April 15, 2012 – a month after the tragedy.
Wiremu joined the Winton Warlords a few months earlier and has played for the club ever since.
Southern Zone Rugby League general manager Steve Martin said events like the Karetai Cup were important to communities.
‘‘They leave a lasting legacy . . . to remember people in the sport.
‘‘It reignites memories and keeps them alive.’’
‘‘It’s a time to remember them and show respect to them.’’ Wiremu Karetai