Chairpersons Update
Two weeks of the season left before we head into the Semi-finals. This week sees our Premiers, Division 1, and Colts all in Stratford. We have buses leaving Tukapa at 11:00am and 12:00pm both returning to watch the Super Rugby Final at Tukapa. The buses are free for anyone to jump on.
Our mighty Lion Brown Snr 3rds have a grade-wide bye weekend and will go into camp on the Golf Course for a well-led team-building day.
True Country Club Spirit
Last weekend I had the privilege of joining our thirds boys on their bus trip to Toko. What a place to go and watch rugby. When we arrived we got off the bus and walked across the cattle stop, up the hill, and saw over 100 kids playing rugby and their team photos done outside on their old raised seating. We went inside their club rooms to grab some sponsor's products and they had half the bar set up for selling Brown Gold with the other half set up with Orange juice and Savs. Outside the changing rooms, both teams mixed and mingled and had a yarn about the past week’s rugby before both teams started to prep for the big game. We had a chat between club leaders about where each team would stand then shook hands, looked each other in the eye and the deal was done.
During the game, I think I counted over 200 utes parked all around the club with people lining the sidelines and filling their deck. Our thirds played well but went down by 2 points, it was a great game of rugby that was then followed by the custom undie run for the Tukapa lads that hadn’t scored a try. While the boys were off doing the undie run the rest of both teams stood around outside again chatting rugby and having a laugh together before heading inside to a packed clubhouse.
A man that we all know well, Mr Steven Needham, was our tour guide and made sure the boys didn’t miss out on a round of drinks. The speeches were had followed by Toko boys singing their song which was answered loud and proud by the Cast Iron Chicken led by Ned. Moving through the night we had some good chats with some good buggers and also bid well on their club auction - I still need to go back and pick up a slab of Macrocarpa that I won.
The long story short of this is, the passion that is shown in a great country club for their club and the game of rugby is second to none, and as long as we have a 3rds rugby division and a whole lot of good buggers involved, rugby is still alive and well in Taranaki. Next year I strongly suggest if you want a good day out at the rugby be sure to jump on the Snr 3rds bus to a country club and you won’t regret it.
For our other three teams, it's now a numbers game. Our Premiers need to beat Stratford or NPOB to stay in the top 4 with Clifton and Coastal hot on their tail. Our B’s have had a rough season and are now out there to see if they can upset someone else’s apple cart. Our Colts sit in 3rd and should hold this spot then book a semi. If they win one or two games this will be a home semi and our thirds will play Kaponga at home next weekend in their Quarterfinal.
Collective First National Day
Next weekend sees all teams at home and is the Collective First National Day to thank First National for their five years as an overall club sponsor. You will see these guys being hosted up on the deck, be sure to have a chat with them and thank them for backing Tukapa. These guys do a lot of good things around Taranaki and are always first back on board backing Tukapa. If you need a Real Estate agent, be sure to back the guys that back our club.
Club Prize-giving
This year we are having a sit-down meal followed by a band for our prize-giving to get the best of both worlds. Be sure to save the date - 22nd July 5:00pm start.
Team Photos
And lastly, team photos are this coming Thursday starting with Juniors and moving to Seniors. Keep an eye on social media for time slots.
See you all in Stratford for a great day of rugby, bring your gumboots and enjoy.
Your Chairman Scotty Siffleet, Blue and White for Life
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