Events celebrate 125 years of rugby
The Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union 125th Year Anniversary has featured an anniversary dinner, an old timer’s day, and a reunion luncheon.
The dinner, in the Levin Memorial Hall, catered by Ruth Pretty Catering, featured interviews by Bevan (Alfie) Sanson (Horowhenua Kapiti representative #939) with current All Black and Black Fern Dane Coles and Selica Winiata.
Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union chief executive Corey Kennett (Horowhenua Kapiti representative #897) said, “We’re very thankful to Dane and Selica for taking time out of their busy schedules to be at this event.
“Both Dane and Selica have strong links to clubs in Horowhenua Kapiti, Dane being a Paraparaumu RFC junior and Selica an Athletic RFC junior.”
A special presentation was also made to Horowhenua Kapiti Heartland team manager Nathan Picchi (Horowhenua Kapiti representative #1057), who received his blazer after three years as the Heartland manager.
The Old Timer’s Day recognised all former players, coaches, referees, volunteers and administrators who have been a part of Horowhenua Kapiti rugby.
“The Old Timer’s 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 Kapiti,” 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 Timer’s Day was seeing the Horowhenua Kapiti Heartland team grind out a win against neighbours Wairarapa Bush 37-21.
The finale of the weekend was the reunion of the Horowhenua Kapiti 1993 national third division championship winning side.
The reunion, 25 years on from their win, saw players and team management travel from overseas to be in attendance.
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, who are also an HKRFU sponsor.
To this day, the 1993 side are the only team from Horowhenua Kapiti to win a championship in first-class rugby.
The dinner was held on Friday, Old Timers Day on Saturday, and luncheon on Sunday from September 21-23.