Hi ,

Rugby

Tawa Rugby Football Club – a name we are proud of!

T-shirts with the slogan:

IT’S NOT JUST A GAME

IT’S ABOUT BELONGING

Four senior teams in the WRFU finals! I do not know if that has been achieved before, but it certainly must be a record for us. 

In the Borough on the North Western side of State Highway 1, where the sun shines most of the time, there is a small club with a huge heart and awesome culture – both senior and junior players.

It was a great day in Porirua last Saturday. I started by watching Ella’s Aotea College team have a win at netball, then off to Tawa, in time for the jersey presentations by Akira and some words from Tony, our club Captain. On the bus, t-shirts, signs, and our Colts standing out in their No. 1s. All were set for a great day in the sun at Jerry Collins Stadium.

The game got underway and although we were a little outgunned, our Colts never gave up. That showed what these boys are made of to my mind. Afterwards I ventured into the changing rooms to find it so quiet that it was eerie, to say the least. I decided to have a chat to the boys and reiterate how proud the club is of their efforts this year, and that indeed they are the future of our club. Sure, it was a loss, but this loss was really a hiccup in terms of the big rugby picture, and these young men at the start of their senior career. The boys still faired better than at least 10 other teams in the Colts competition – no mean feat! The club is still very proud of their efforts. 

Unfortunately, I never saw any of the Premier 2 game due to them being up the hill on Ground 2. After appearing in the last four finals for this grade, something had to give. OBU had a lot to play for as well. They had three teams in the senior finals. 

Onto the Jubilee Cup final, the pinnacle of Wellington club rugby. On paper it looked as though it could be a good final. In actual fact, it was an absolute BLINDER! People I spoke to after the game from various clubs reckoned it was one of the best finals seen for quite some time. I spent most of the game with Paul McEnaney – ex Patron, ex President, ex Club Captain, ex Tawa Rugby Top Man. Paul had just presented the jerseys to the Premiers and Premier 2s at the Club. We were behind the posts when our boys were camped on the line desperately trying to cross the line, but to no avail, due to OBU's staunch resolve to stop any and all trespasses over the line. The whistle blew, jubilation erupted in the green and white hoops. The Jubilee Cup had found a home for 2024. 

Saturday evening back at the club, the teams were able to relax a bit and realise that they were still held in high esteem by their families, club members, and supporters.

On Sunday, I received a phone call from Mark Fairmaid about the referees' treatment at The Fortress clubrooms on Saturday night. I have enclosed the email David Fa’atafa and I had sent to us by Mark. Quite frankly, it made me feel real proud to be the President of Tawa RFC.

Hello Allan and David. As the President of the Wellington Rugby Referees, I am writing to thank the Tawa Rugby Club for the way that they welcomed the referees at your clubrooms late on Saturday night. There was a group of about 12 of us that visited Tawa arriving at about 8:30pm and from the time before we even got inside, to the time that we left just after 10pm, the welcome from all present at the club was incredible. The boys said to me when we got in the car afterwards it was an incredible experience. 

From the time we arrived, and the boys outside recognising us who were so pleased to see us, and walking into the clubrooms to a round of applause which just set the scene for the whole time we were there. Everyone was so engaging and wanted to talk and I think that is why 'we let Tawa' win the side game involving 'lemonades'. Special thanks to Tony and Steve who made sure we were looked after and for the great chat and banter.

For me it certainly capped what was a very special day and reinforced to me that there is a heap of good in the rugby community. What happened at Tawa Rugby Club for that 1.5 hours, was very very cool. 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Please make sure that your club know that we appreciate it.

Regards

Mark Fairmaid

President 

Wellington Rugby Referees

There is not much more I can say about the email above except to say, thanks Mark for taking the time to write to us. 

If you are thinking of “hanging up your boots”, perhaps you should give Mark a call and discuss your future as a referee. As I have said previously, they are a great bunch of people. 

Prizegiving - Saturday 3 August

This Saturday night is prizegiving at the Senior Clubrooms (23A Lyndhurst Road, Tawa). Always a great evening with plenty of fun and laughter.

The bar is open from 5.00pm, and festivities kick off at 6.00pm. After the awards are given out and we celebrate all our fantastic players, managers, coaches, and supporters, we will have a DJ on-site to continue the party. 

A few notes about prizegiving:

Dress Code: Number 1s  

Let's show our TRFC spirit and dress to impress in our finest attire. Number 1s is the code - let's make it a night to remember!

Respect: The Core Value 

We uphold the core values that make our club exceptional. Respect for the club, respect for your teammates, and respect for our neighbours are non-negotiable. Let's make sure our celebrations echo the sportsmanship we bring to the field.

Zero Tolerance: BYO Drinks 

To ensure a safe and enjoyable environment, there will be absolutely zero tolerance for bringing any of your own drinks. Our bar will be fully stocked with an array of beverages to quench your thirst.

No Smoking/Vaping in the Club 

We kindly request that you respect our indoor spaces and refrain from smoking or vaping within the club premises. Let's keep the air fresh for everyone to enjoy.

Responsible Noise Levels 

As we revel in the joy of the season, let's be mindful of our neighbours. We encourage all attendees to keep noise levels down when outside the venue.

Don't Drink and Drive 

Your safety matters to us. Please remember, there's no compromise when it comes to drinking and driving. Let's celebrate responsibly and ensure everyone gets home safely.

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See you this Saturday.

Allan G Davidson

President & Life Member