Chooks Newsletter 5 June 2026

Tukapa Weekly Newsletter

Another Massive Weekend at the Chook House

This week sees another huge home weekend at Tukapa, with a massive day planned both on and off the field.
On Saturday, we host our annual Sponsors Day, a chance to thank the wonderful businesses and people who support our club year after year. These sponsors are truly the backbone of Tukapa Rugby & Sports Club. While financial support is obviously important, many of our sponsors contribute far more than that. They donate materials, equipment, expertise, and countless hours of their own time to ensure our club remains one of the best facilities in Taranaki.
A perfect example of this is our recently completed roof replacement and exterior painting project. Originally, this project was expected to cost close to $90,000 — a figure that would have been extremely difficult for the club to fund, even with grant assistance. Thanks to a loyal group of sponsors donating products, labour, equipment, and expertise, we were able to complete the entire project for just over $30,000.
The result speaks for itself. When you drive up to the clubrooms now, they stand proud in the blue and white colours that Tukapa is known for. The building once again reflects the special place it is within our community. On behalf of everyone involved with Tukapa, thank you to every sponsor who continues to support us. We simply could not do what we do without you.

Main Sponsors

A huge thank you to our major sponsors who help keep Tukapa Rugby & Sports Club thriving both on and off the field:

First National Collective – Club Sponsor
Diamond Roofing – Roof Project Sponsor
Lion Nathan – Brewery Partner
Hire It Hire – Premier Men Sponsor
NZ Sparky – Senior B's Sponsor
Lion Brown – Senior 3rds Sponsor
Motion Plumbing – Colts Sponsor
Glasscraft NP – Women's Team Sponsor
TBI Health – Club Physio Partner
Riddlez Ltd – Graphic & Design Sponsor
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway – Club Accountant
NZ Forest – Club Social Sponsor
TCRT (Farm Trust) – Junior Rugby Supporter
First National Collective – Junior Rugby Sponsor
Kiwi Butcher – Meat Sponsor

Additional Club Partners

Liquorland Fitzroy – Player of the Day Sponsor
Kingsway Menswear – Club Clothing Sponsor
Sign Project – Club Signage Partner
HTL Financial Services – Financial Services Partner
PSL – Sound System Sponsor
Primo – Internet Sponsor
New World New Plymouth – Goal Post Pad Sponsor
HirePool – ongoing equipment hire

First XV Sponsors

1. Taranaki Trailers
2. Farnsworth Roofing
3. Corson Tyres
4. Adseal
5. Mico Plumbing
6. Lifestyle Building & Construction
7. Cleggs Furniture
8. Trident Electronics
9. Gallagher
10. New World New Plymouth
11. La Nuova
12. Heat Cool
13. Donaldson Brown
14. Newton George Joinery
15. Cunningham Scaffolding

Trust & Funding Partners

Lion Foundation
Aotearoa Gaming Trust
Bobby Foundation
Pelorus Trust
TSB Community Trust
NZCT
Kiwi Gaming Foundation
Taranaki Foundation Trust

Year of the Chicken Reunion a Huge Success

Last weekend saw the return of the famous Year of the Chicken Reunion, with many members of the legendary 2001 teams coming together to reconnect, share stories, and relive some incredible memories.
Throughout the weekend I heard some amazing tales from those years. Some of the stories can definitely be repeated, while a few others are probably best left within the walls of the clubrooms! Regardless, there were plenty of laughs, old friendships rekindled, and memories shared.
A huge thank you must also go to everyone who bid on the commemorative jerseys during the auction. The club raised just over $12,000 from the jersey auction alone. This money will be put aside for a special project that we are excited to begin working on in the near future, so watch this space.

A Special Milestone for Our Toa

Three years ago, with the help of Kevin Curd sharing information about the Tukapa Walkway and many passionate club members, we committed to building a women's rugby programme at Tukapa. Today that programme has grown into our Toa team, which has become a major part of our club culture and future.
As most people know, I am incredibly passionate about ensuring our Toa programme continues to grow and thrive. So passionate, in fact, that I am currently coaching the team and thoroughly enjoying the experience.
This Saturday marks a special first for Tukapa Rugby, as both Dee and Aaliyah will receive their 25-game blazers — the first players in our women's programme to achieve this milestone.
Aaliyah's journey back to Tukapa was almost destined. While many remember her playing for Coastal, Tukapa has always been part of her DNA. Her late grandfather, Wayne Penn, was a proud life member and stalwart of the club, while her uncle Tony Penn played well over 100 games in the blue and white hoops. When I first contacted Aaliyah about joining our women's programme, it was an easy decision for her to come home.
Dee's journey was quite different. Three years ago, Jason and Plims were running pre-season trainings with only small numbers attending. Then, on Valentine's Day, we suddenly had a large group of women arrive eager to give rugby a go. Like many of those women, Dee had little rugby experience but was keen to learn and be involved.
Since then, she has developed into a tremendous rugby player, represented the Taranaki Whio, and become one of the key leaders within our programme.
Today, both Dee and Aaliyah serve as co-captains of our Toa side and are outstanding role models both on and off the field. Their commitment, leadership, and passion have helped shape the culture of the women's programme.
Congratulations ladies, and thank you for everything you have given to Tukapa Rugby.

Investing in the Future

As a club, our eyes are always on the future. We know that the next generation of Tukapa players is currently coming through our local schools, and we are committed to building strong relationships with those young men and women.
Over the past few weeks we have been working closely with the young rugby players of New Plymouth Boys' High School. Last Thursday, 14 students joined our Premier squad, watched training, participated in activities, and then stayed for our traditional Thursday night club meal.
What makes this particularly special is that many of these boys began their rugby journeys playing for Tukapa as juniors. Seeing them reconnect with the club and continue building those relationships is hugely encouraging. We hope that in the years ahead many of them will once again pull on the famous blue and white hoops.
We were also fortunate to have another group of NPBHS students helping around the club this week.
Through the school's "Something for Nothing" community programme, 20 boarders and their Hostel Master — who also happens to be Tukapa Premier Assistant Coach Josh Angell — spent Wednesday afternoon cleaning and tidying our storage sheds.
Josh shared the following message:

"Every year, NPBHS takes part in Something for Nothing, giving back to our community. On Wednesday afternoon, 20 boarders and their Hostel Master rolled up their sleeves and spent a few hours scrubbing, mopping, and cleaning the Tukapa sheds. A small way to give back to a club that does so much for so many. Thanks for having us, Tukapa!"

A huge thank you to Josh, the students, and New Plymouth Boys' High School for their support. Efforts like these strengthen the connection between our school and club communities and help ensure Tukapa remains a special place for future generations.

This Saturday at Tukapa

With Sponsors Day, milestone celebrations for our Toa players, and great rugby across the grades, this Saturday promises to be another memorable day at Sanders Park.
Get along, support the teams, thank a sponsor, and enjoy everything that makes Tukapa Rugby Club such a special place.
Don't Forget the Crab Racing!
Once Sponsors Day has wrapped up and the rugby action is finished for the day, the fun certainly doesn't stop there.
This Saturday night we bring back one of Tukapa's favourite social events — the annual Crab Racing Night.
The first race is set to jump at 6.30pm sharp, so be sure to stick around after the post-match speeches and enjoy a great evening with your mates. Whether you're backing a favourite crab, having a laugh with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere around the clubrooms, it is always one of the most entertaining nights on the Tukapa calendar.
Events like these are what make our club special. They bring together players, supporters, sponsors, old-timers, volunteers, and families for a night of fun and plenty of laughs.
We look forward to seeing a huge crowd on the sidelines throughout the day and then back in the clubrooms for what promises to be another fantastic Tukapa night.

See you all at Sanders Park this weekend.

One Club. One Family.
Kind Regards,
Scotty Siffleet
Chairperson
Tukapa Rugby & Sports Club