HISTORY

The Taihape Rugby Club was formed in 1999.
After many meetings held between Huia Rugby and Sports Club (1897-1998 ) and Taihape Pirates Rugby Club (1909-1998 ) a decision was made for the two clubs to amalgamate. The club then went on to enter two teams to compete in the WRFU 1999 competition. Club colours would be colours from both clubs White, Black and Red with the logo having some form of identification of both Clubs. The Logo, jerseys, shorts and socks were designed by Eddie Lawton (Hau) and accepted by the newly formed committee.

COMMITTEE

The Presidents position was taken by Bruce Fannin who remained in this position until he retired in 2007, he was Co-President with Joe Chase who held his position until his death. The position was then taken up by Terry Baird in 2008-14 he is still in the Presidents seat.  The first committee consisted of 6 members from each club.

THE 1ST SENIOR TEAM

The very first Senior  Squad did quiet well in its first year, winning the Ben Pedley Memorial Cup for Division 2, winning 12, drawing 1 and losing 3 games. The first coaches were Boy Hekenui and Simon Luoni .  Paul McCarthy was the first senior captain for the newly formed Club.

The club has gone from strength to strength and we can claim to be the only club in Wanganui Competition that has had no imports, all our boys have been local or have come to work in Taihape.

PLAYERS OF NOTE

Players of note have been Kerry Whale (100) games for Wanganui, David Kereti, Robert Adams and more recently Scott Sargison a member of the winning Wanganui Heartlands Squad last year. In 2006 Peter Rowe and Dan Aldworth made the NZ Divisional XV to Argentina, Peter also made the NZ Divisional XV in 2007, 2008 and 2009 with the Ruapehu Rugby and Sports Club.Riki Alabaster came out of retirement to help out the Senior Team and was selected in the Wanganui Senior Squad 2009 which won the Meads Cup, well done Riki. We had 3 Premier players,Tramaine Gilbert, James Barrett and Nicky Martin who were key members of the Wanganui Senior Squad of 2011 which won the Meads Cup. In 2012-13 Tremaine Gilbert  made the Devlopement XV squad.

LIFE MEMBERS

In 2006 4 members of the club were made Life Members: Alan Thomas & Bruce Fannin  from Pirates RFC and Tahi Chase &  Eddie Lawton (Hau) from Huia for the work they have done for the club. At our prize giving in September 2013 Dean Noble was made a Life Member.

NETBALL

History was made last year 2,008, when we fielded a netball team in Wanganui Competition, then in 2009 we fielded a team in the local Taihape Competition, thanks to Loni Martin and Anthea Harrison. From 2012-13 we have had only 1 team and they play in the Taihape Competition.

OTHER NEWS

The Club has gone from strength to strength, a great loss to the club was Aunty Tahi Chase who had been preparing the meals for the club for 10 years. Hau took over the reins in the kitchen in 2010, George Black came on board as 2nd Chef in 2013. Since 2014 Ants & boss have been helping in the  me in the kitchen.

CHANGE OF PLAYING STRIP 2013

2013 saw us have a complete change of playing strip, Hau designed the new strip and KooGa supplied them, excellent quality, the club decided to sell supporters jersey's which sold well. The Premeirs had a change of playing strip in 2015 supplied by BLK.

NAME CHANGE 2008

The club also changed it name to the "Taihape Rugby and Sports Club"   in 2008.






ROLL ON 2016
TAIHAPE RUGBY & SPORTS CLUB
YOUR ROVING REPORTER (HAU)