Club Notices

Published: Wed, 11/22/23

Club Notices

Hi ,

Club Captains Report 2023

2023 was the first year in quite a while to have no disruptions to the season, seeing all teams playing two full rounds.

Our 85s were back playing for the first time since 2018, adding to our other five teams. It was a very good year for our Club with two teams winning their grades and two other teams reaching semi-final rounds.

Over all teams, our Club had numerous representatives, which included one NZ Under 20, six Wellington Lions, and three Under 19s: quite remarkable really. A reflection of these achievements was at the Wellington Rugby Awards evening where Tawa RFC won the Sir William Perry Trophy for highest average points per team, Tofuka Paongo was awarded the Ken Comber Memorial Cup (Men's Best Philosophy), and Matolu Petaia was awarded U19 Player of the Year. The Premier 2s were also nominated for Team of the Year.

Our President Allan Davidson was appointed a Life Member of Tawa Rugby Club for all his effort in our great Club over the last 23 years.

Team Season Wrap-Ups

Our Premiers by their standard and expectation probably didn’t do as well as they hoped. A team with both youth and experience, they finished the Swindale Shield round with eight wins and five losses, placing them 7th (on which was a very tight leaderboard, with three points separating 8th up to 3rd). Making the Jubilee Cup round, they beat Petone in the quarter-final 33-29, unfortunately going down to OBU 22-16 away at Nairnville Park the following week.

Our Premier 2s continued on from last year's unbeaten record, winning both the Harper Lock Shield and Ed Chaney Cup for the second year in a row. Their only blemish was a 29-all draw to Ories. They played a very hard-fought final against Poneke, winning 18-17 and ending another season, which all came down to their great team morale and resilience with every team vying for their scalp. What an awesome effort.

Our Colts had one of their better years in a competition that in my opinion is always tough and where any one of the top eight teams can win on their day. This year they had a seven win and three loss record, making it to the the semi-finals round. I’m sure the highlight of the year was beating OBU Green 40-3 under lights at Rugby League Park. With most of the Colts games played on a Friday night, this opened the opportunity for players to be back up for the Premiers and Prem 2s on the Saturday if required. I have no doubt you will see more than a few of these boys in our Premiers team in 2024.

Our Reserve Grade Team run by Saga was the other team to come away with a trophy this year. This is a team of family and past players having some fun, and at the end of the season they beat Petone 37-23 in the final, winning the Allan Seerup Cup.

Our 85s were back at the club for the first time since 2018 with Jono Boyd and Jonty Boyd at the helm, and what a job they did in their first year back. They started the round with a loss to the OBU Scallywags, with a depleted team only to get into gear and winning the next teh games on the trot. This placed them second in the JC Bowl. They followed this with four more wins in the Paul Potiki Shield round, this time handing the OBU Scallywags their first loss of the season. A semi-final win over Pōneke secured them to once again play the OBU Scallywags in the final, but regrettably they fell short at 27-31. They also played in the National 85s competition. We look forward to seeing you all back next year.

Our Presidents held onto the Clockwork Gold Trophy for another year in what you could say was a disjointed season for Fonzie's men. Clubs are finding it hard to field teams this year, with many teams joining together. Fortunately so far we are not one of those Clubs, and that is all because of the hard work and effort put in by Rick managing to field a team every week with his many texts and phone calls. It is really appreciated by all the players, and great getting them out every week competing and having a good time.

Reps and Milestones 2023

Blazers

Eamonn Carr, George Sims, Joyner Gaualofa

New Zealand Under 20s

Siale Lauaki

Hurricanes

Hugo Plummer

Highlanders

PJ Sheck, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara

Hurricanes Under 20s

Matolu Petaia, Tofuka Paongo, Siale Lauaki

Wellington Lions

PJ Sheck, Pepesana Patafilo, Isileli Saumaki, Hugo Plummer, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Akira Ieremia, Joyner Gaualofa

Wellington Centurions

Lumafale Lualua, George Sims, Eamonn Carr, George Risale

Wellington Under 19s

Matolu Petaia, Tofuka Paongo, Samanoa Euta

Wellington Maori

Hemi Fermanis, TJ Fermanis

Wellington Samoans

Solomona Uelese

Wellington Under 18 Centurions

Tesimeta Afamasaga, Jarred Kuresa

Representative Coaches

Trent Renata - Lions

Steve So’oialo - Wellington Samoans

Damian Rapira-Davies, Jono Boyd - Wellington U18 Centurions

Simon Humphries, Issac Rogers - Wellington U18 Centurions Manager

Sian Meffanv- Wellington Pride Physio

Conclusion

A huge thank you to Steve So’oialo for all his work helping and assisting coaches in all grades. Your knowledge, experience, and work ethic is a great asset to the club.

To all the coaches, managers, and volunteers who have contributed much of your valuable time and expertise throughout the season, I would like to say a massive thank you. Your generosity and effort is much appreciated and never taken for granted.

The Rugby Club again acknowledges the ongoing funding received from various trusts, businesses, and individuals, all of which contributes towards the teams and the maintaining of our excellent facilities.

My final thanks must go to the awesome committee who go about their business making our Club what it is today: I think, the best club in Wellington.

Tony Tomlinson

Club Captain

Thank you,

Tawa Rugby Football Club

23A Lyndhurst Road, Tawa 5028, NEW ZEALAND

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