Chairperson’s Weekly Newsletter
A Big Weekend Ahead
Before you know it, the season will be over — just three weeks to go until semi-finals!
This weekend is one of the biggest on the Tukapa calendar, as we host Collective First National Day. It’s our chance to say thank you to our incredible naming rights sponsor who continues to back both Junior Rugby and the club as a whole. They’ve been with us for 11 years, and their support remains as strong as ever.
To celebrate, we’ll be hosting them in the Ford Tent, and to keep the "One Club" vibe alive, we’ve got some fun for the whole family:
- Free face painting and candy floss from 2:00pm for the kids.
- A full afternoon of rugby — come down, support the teams, and enjoy the action.
Junior Curtain-Raiser
Our oldest junior rugby team will play the curtain-raiser to the Premier Men’s match on the main field at 1:00pm, taking on Stratford-Eltham in the Ferdie 7 Grade. I had the privilege of refereeing them last week — there’s some serious talent in that squad, and we hope to see many of them wearing the senior Tukapa blue in years to come. Make sure you’re there to cheer them on — this is the future of Tukapa.
Saturday Night: Crab Racing Fundraiser
From 6:30pm Saturday night, it’s one of the club’s best social events — the Annual Tukapa Crab Racing Fundraiser! Stick around after the games, have a laugh, and help raise funds for the club. It’s always a great night, and we want to see as many of you there as possible.
A Final Word
As we get ready for a huge Saturday — with over 350 juniors playing in the morning, five games in the afternoon, and crab racing into the night — I’ll leave you with two stories that reflect what this club is really all about. Thanks for being part of the Tukapa family.
Cheers for being Tukapa — One Club.
Tukapa Playgroup: A Lasting Legacy
In the mid-1980s, a group of Tukapa players’ wives and partners came together to form the Tukapa Playgroup, meeting weekly at Sutherland Park. The friendships formed back then have stood the test of time. Just last week, some of the original members caught up — including a few from the netball team days!
Many of the boys who were part of that playgroup grew up to play for various Tukapa teams, and now their grandchildren are proudly wearing the Tukapa colours. That’s a legacy we’re incredibly proud of.
Farewell Daisy Lean
It’s with sadness and respect that we share the passing of Daisy Lean — a true New Plymouth legend.
A proud Old Boys man through and through (and he’d tell you that with a grin), Daisy still found his own way to support Tukapa — with a wink, a bit of sideline banter, and the odd backhanded compliment buried in friendly rivalry.
Many will remember his part in the unforgettable mission to carry the New Plymouth Mayor on a stretcher from the surf at East End Beach to the summit of Mt. Taranaki and back — all in a single day. That challenge, pulled off by 200 Tukapa members, raised over $10,000 and captured the imagination of the community.
Rest easy, Daisy. You gave Old Boys the pride, but you earned Tukapa’s respect.
See you on the sidelines!
Scotty Siffleet
Chairperson – Tukapa One Club
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