Historic trophies
The Katikati Stags senior rugby team has had a successful season, narrowly missing out on claiming the Baywide Division 2 title.
On Saturday Katikati Rugby Club is holding its annual prizegiving after a friendly match between the Stags and club Golden Oldies team, the Mooses. Some of the trophies being presented are steeped in history and include the Sandy Cooper Memorial — Best Sportsman, Bill Dunlop Cup — Best Clubman, Don Young cup — Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Dave Murray Memorial Cup — Most Improved Player.
The Peter Harrison Memorial trophy — Rookie of the Year — was first won by Warren Jeffcoat in 1974. It was donated by the Harrison family in honour of their son Peter, an exceptional rugby player who was killed in a car accident in his 20s.
The Doris Johnston Memorial Plate was donated by Ian Johnston in his wife’s honour. Ian was the youngest player to play representative rugby and kept rugby going in Katikati from the 1930s to 1950s. Doris was a big part of the rugby community.
The Don Young Cup was first presented in 2009 to Heremia Murray who is back playing rugby this year. Don, or Yunkka as he was fondly known, had presented the award until he passed away in January 2017. Don was an integral part of the club since 1950 as player, club captain, fundraiser, gatekeeper, life member and all-round good bloke. Even when he was sick he would come and support the team.
Kickoff for the Mooses v Stags game is 2.45pm at Moore Park. The Mooses are players aged 35 and over who enjoy social rugby. Managed by former club player Shane Harper and Jarred Hopkins, the team has already played the Pa¯ pa¯ moa Golden Oldies and its hoped there will be a chance for another game. Bring your boots, shorts (red shorts if you don’t want to be tackled).
Prizegiving gets under way around 6pm.