Chairpersons Update
Well on a wet morning I sit in the club house writing this newsletter looking out the window at our temporary changing room setup.
I never thought we would need extra changing rooms on a Saturday. Today I want to give a massive thank you to everyone that has got behind our dream of a woman’s team. Firstly to Kevin Curd, he kept pushing to have this happen then he took to his bike and delivered business cards to any woman he saw as a rugby player. Secondly to my Tukapa board for letting me run with this dream and green light any crazy ideas that I came up with to make it happen. Then to Greg Plimmer and Jason Avery for being the first coaches I asked and not saying No. The passion these guys have put into making this team happen is second to none. And to a good friend of mine and an ex Tukapa mum for putting her hand up as Manager, Vicky Mckenzie is doing an outstanding job as manager and all good womans support. Then lastly to all our New Tukapa Toa players, you girls are awesome and I can’t wait to watch you all develop into rugby players. The way you work together to make the dream work is outstanding and we look forward to having you all as a valued part of our Tukapa family. Up the TOA!
This Saturday we are doing things a little differently. It’s the first time we have rolled out all the stops in the first round. With being able to pick our first round opposition we went with our friends from the Coast, and the main reason for this was to make sure we got to play for the Eaton Cup on home soil. This is one of the newer cups we play for but has a lot of passion behind it, which is why we also have Old Timers Day this Saturday. A lot of our old timers played alongside Twiggy (Craig) and I am sure you are all keen to come along to Old Timers Day to honour the great man.
Craig Eaton Remembrance Cup
The Craig Eaton Remembrance Cup is named in honour of Craig Eaton who died in 2018 aged 52. The Cup was donated by Craig’s widow Lianne and their three daughters Rebecca, Courtenay and Olivia.
Craig played 27 consecutive seasons of afternoon grade rugby for Tukapa before he retired from the game in 2010. He began straight out of school in the Under 17 grade, then moved up through Under 19’s, Colts and Senior B’s to become the Senior A pivot in the late 1980s/ early 1990s. From about 1996 onwards, Craig played first five eighth for the highly successful Tukapa Senior Thirds team which won eight Taranaki championship titles between 1998 and 2010.
During his time as Tukapa’s Senior A first five Craig was also a regular in that position for the Taranaki B team.
One of Craig’s last wishes was a trophy in his name be played for at Premier level between his beloved Tukapa club and Coastal, firstly because there was no existing trophy between the two clubs but mainly because Craig’s family, including his dad Kelvin, were originally Coastal people.
The Bar will open at 12pm with a happy hour running from 12 to 1pm to thank the old timers for their service to the club. Don’t forget that our women’s team kicks off at 11:30am so be sure to come along early for their pre season game.
At 12.30pm we have our new co coach Scott Fuglistaller joining us to tell us a little about his career and answer any questions you may have. Scott was born in Hawera and is an FDMC old boy. He played professional rugby for Wellington, Hurricanes, Melbourne and finished his time in Japan and was a hard running openside flanker. I have known Scotty for a while and his passion for our grassroots game is right up there. He is also a father of two boys and along with his wife Kahuia, I can see the passion of grassroots sport has already been in-grained in his boys. We welcome the Fuglistaller family into our Tukapa family - be sure to come along at 12.30pm to have a listen to Scotty.
Click on the link to download tomorrows programme: Tukapa vs Coastal
Following the games and after match speeches we will have our Crab racing starting around 6.45pm so be sure to hang around the clubhouse for a fun night.
Sponsorship Update
This week we profile Newton Gordge Joinery.
Owner Scott Dudley has Coastal origins, however, he has seen the light, his daughter Tinta plays in our junior grade, and his son Connor has joined our live-streaming team as a technician/cameraman.
Although the chimney on his house in Tukapa Street is painted green and white, he is only in his second year sponsoring the club and we expect the green to become blue once he is into his fifth year.
Check out the profile below or visit their website: https://www.newtongordge.co.nz/
Sponsorship Profile: Newton Gordge Joinery
Newton Gordge Joinery Limited was established in 1981, taking the name of its owner-operator Newton Gordge who has over 40 years experience in the trade serving both domestic and commercial clients with kitchens and a large variety of projects in Taranaki and nationwide.
Since Newtons retirement in 2016, former apprentice and foreman Scott Dudley with 18 years service to Newton Gordge Joinery took ownership of the business, moving forward as Newton Gordge Joinery 2016 Ltd.
10% Locally Owned and Operated
Scott is a born and bred local who prides himself in providing friendly and professional services and ensuring each client receives the end result they desire. No job is too big and no job is too small as NGJ are able to provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of its diverse client base.
Feel free to call us on: 06 751 5065 or visit our Kitchen Showroom at, 67B Breakwater Road, New Plymouth 4310.
Club Merchandise
Club Membership
Along with the increase in living costs, we have also had to put our season memberships up to keep our club ticking, these are now due and can be paid through the links below or over the bar on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
| Premier: | $160 |
| Division 1: | $120 |
| Division 2: | $3,000 team fee |
| Colts: | $120 (or $60 if first year in Colts Grade) |
| Juniors: | $40 1 child in the family/$70 for 2/$90 for 3 or more in the family |
| Non-Playing Members (Social Membership): | $50 |
All memberships may include a partner for an extra $10 per annum which will entitle them to a member’s card and season passes.
Signup buttons below:
Junior Rugby 2024
Junior rugby registrations are now open. If you are keen to sign your kids up, click the link below.
The season kicks off Saturday 4th May and runs to middle of term 3.
If you have any questions, the best place to ask them is on the Tukapa Junior Rugby Facebook page.
Well with all this being said, I still have a day’s worth of jobs to get our great club ready for our big day and the start of the 2024 season which should be a great year of rugby. See you all Saturday!
Blue and White for Life
Scotty Siffleet
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