TUKAPA RUGBY CLUB NEWSLETTER – THIS WEEK
Kia ora Tukapa whānau,
As I sit in the ute on the main field at Clifton Rugby Club, watching out the window as Jimmybot works hard marking the lines, it’s given me a good chance to pull this week’s newsletter together.
It’s been great to see how well supported this has become, with a number of other sports clubs now using us to mark their fields. What started as something to help Tukapa has grown into a paid service, helping contribute towards the cost of the new line marking robot and other club expenses.
So a big thank you to all the clubs backing us and using the service — it’s hugely appreciated.
Righto, here’s all the news for this week…
This week we hit the road in a big way, with all of our men’s teams heading south, while our Women’s Toa have the week off before their competition kicks off next weekend. The girls have been building nicely and are ready to launch into their season.
ROAD TRIP – STRATFORD & TOKO BOUND
All roads lead south this weekend — Premiers, Div 1 and Colts in Stratford, and our mighty Div 2 heading into Toko to take on Toko on their home patch.
Let’s be honest — with fuel prices the way they are, $200 in the tank is no joke these days… so why not save the hassle and jump on the bus with the teams and make a proper day of it.
BUS TIMES
Div 2 Bus (via Toko)
- Pick up Tukapa – 10.45am
- Arrive Toko – 12.00pm
- Leave Toko – 5.00pm
- Arrive Stratford Rugby Club – 5.30pm
- Leave Stratford – 6.00pm
- Arrive Tukapa – 6.40pm
Div 1 & Colts Bus
- Pick up Tukapa – 11.00am
- Arrive Stratford – 12.00pm
- Leave Stratford – 6.00pm (one stop)
- Arrive Tukapa – 7.30pm
Premier Bus
- Pick up Tukapa – 12.00pm
- Arrive Stratford – 1.00pm
- Leave Stratford – 7.30pm (one stop)
- Arrive Tukapa – 9.00pm
THE WEEKEND AHEAD
Away days like this are what club rugby is all about — getting behind your mates, travelling together, and representing the club wherever we go.
Whether you’re on the bus or making your own way down, make sure you’re there backing all grades and making some noise.
YEAR OF THE CHOOK – PLANNING UNDERWAY
Planning for our Year of the Chook is coming along nicely. We’ve been busy turning over a few stones and have managed to track down most of the lads and management from those teams.
That said — if you were involved and haven’t been contacted yet, make sure you get along. It’s shaping up to be a cracking weekend, with plenty of stories, laughs and a few old memories being dusted off.
A big highlight will be the special edition jerseys that our Premier team will wear for the day. These are looking unreal, and after the game they’ll be auctioned off — so there’ll be a chance to get your hands on a bit of Tukapa history.
CLUB CALENDAR & SOCIAL EVENTS
Now that all the draws are (hopefully!) set in concrete, please check out our updated club calendar and social events that line up alongside our games.
Make sure you lock a few dates in early — book the babysitter, and players make sure you’re telling your partners to get along as well.
These events aren’t just for players — we are a very welcoming club, and we want to see partners, families and supporters all getting in behind them.
A big shout out to our social committee, who have worked hard to put together a calendar that caters for everyone.
Get along — there are some great nights ahead.
TEAMS & PROGRAMME
Remember we now have the online programme each week, where you can check out all team lists and game info.
Teams are also released on the Tukapa Facebook page every Friday around midday, so make sure you jump on and have a look.
Stay up to date and get in behind your team.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
We’d like to say a massive thank you to all our long-serving sponsors and also our new sponsors who have come on board this season.
We are incredibly lucky to have such strong support behind the club — without you, we simply couldn’t do what we do.
You should have all heard from me already, and starting from next week’s newsletter we’ll be kicking off a weekly sponsor feature.
If you can, please send through:
- A short blurb about your business
- A couple of photos
This will help us promote you properly to our members and wider community.
And to our members reading this — please make sure, wherever possible, you are supporting the businesses that support our club.
SPONSOR SHOUT OUT – PALMERS GARDEN CENTRE
On a sponsor note, some of you will have noticed the great new garden at the front doors of the clubrooms — and it’s come up unreal.
Now, me being nowhere near green-fingered, I can safely say I only planted the rocks…
The real credit needs to go toJosh and Jo Andrews from Palmers Garden Centre.
Both Josh and Joe are incredibly hands-on — not just as sponsors, but also as volunteers across both Tukapa Netball and Rugby. On top of that, they’ve generously donated their time, plants, and bark to bring this space to life.
The result speaks for itself and has really lifted the look of our front entrance.
A massive thank you to the boys — we really appreciate the support.
JUNIOR RUGBY – BIG NUMBERS, BIG THANKS
Our Junior rugby numbers are looking great again this season, with over 220 kids registered to play — an awesome sign for the future of the club.
I’d like to say a massive thank you to Josh, Darryn, Kendra, Hannah and Janelle for all the work they’ve put in behind the scenes to make our junior programme run smoothly. From handling countless emails and messages, to sorting jerseys and organising coaches — you guys are outstanding.
Also, a big thank you to all our coaches and helpers who give up their time each week — we couldn’t do it without you.
A special mention must go to Collective First National, who once again have stepped up in a huge way — sponsoring every junior player with a free training top, as well as continuing as the naming rights sponsor of both our junior and senior programmes.
We’re very lucky to have your support — thank you.
Registrations are now all but closed, but if you’ve really missed the boat, please message the Tukapa Junior Rugby Facebook page or email juniors@tukapa.co.nz — and do it quick.
A NOTE FROM THE CLUB
On a sad note, one of our great Tukapa old timers, Orisi Belau, is not well.
As a club, we are starting to put together a tribute to recognise his rugby journey, and we would really appreciate any help from our Tukapa community.
We are looking for:
- Photos from his rugby days
- Any videos
- Stories or memories, both on and off the field
If you have anything you can share, please either:
Send it through to the Tukapa Rugby Facebook page
Or email directly to scott@lifestylebuilding.co.nz
Any contribution — big or small — will mean a lot to Orisi and his whānau.
Let’s get in behind one of our own.
FINAL WORD
Big day ahead for the blue and white.
Get around it, get on the bus, and get behind the lads.
One Club. One Family.
See you in Stratford (and Toko!).
Scotty Siffleet
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