Women must stand up for rugby rights says Wilson

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 603, 12 September 1995, Page 16

Women must stand up for rugby rights says Wilson

The Raetihi Rugby Club prize giving night, which was held Saturday evening in their club rooms, saw a very small turn out. In spite of that the evening went well. The club's president, Stewart (Butch) Haitana opened the evening' s prize giving with a warm welcome to those who did attend, in particular Pauline and Tom Mowat who have supported the club for many years. Mr Haitana also acknowledged Arch Roebuck who travelled from W anganui representing the Wanganui Rugby Football Union. Mr Haitana thanked the many background workers, like Sharlene and Rainier Winiata, cleaning the club rooms and cooking for the many after function matches and socials, and also the bar staff. Mr Haitana is not only the club president but has also coached the Women' s team. He apologised to the seniors for not being able to support them as often as he would have liked but as a coach of the women' s team, his commitment was to them. Mr Haitana congratulated both teams (senior and women' s) and wished them all the best for next season. Mr Haitana has stepped down from coaching this year. Arch Roebuck addressed the club briefly and he too congratulated the seniors, the under 2 1 development squad and the women' s team. Mr Roebuck said that as far as the seniors were concerned, their ability to win games was their strength. He continued, saying that it is good to see the young ones coming through and with the squad in place this gives the kids the opportunity to develop their skills before going on to the senior level. The squad was 5th in the Wanganui competition and took out the Northern Wanganui divisional final. Korty Wilson, captain of the Raetihi Women' s team, addressed the club and thanked their coach for his support and encouragement and for a great job he did as coach. Ms Wilson said it was still difficult for women to be accepted in what is seen to be very much a male dominated sporting arena. "We women are on the hit list and there are those in the rugby world who want to have us ousted from playing rugby." Ms Wilson went on to say that women must stand firm and as players must all do their best for women in rugby if

they are to be taken seriously. "We have rights as women to play the sports we want to play and if we enjoy rugby then we should be able to play the game and feel good about it". Tom Rawiri coach/player for Raetihi seniors, congratulated his team and said that as player/coach, it was years since he' s played for Raetihi with the team having done so well. He thanked his team and the supporters and also Brad McCoubrie, this year's captain, who has now left Raetihi for Wanganui. Following the prize giving, there was a buffet meal and a disco wound up the night' s entertainment. Women' s prize List: Most improved player: J Kohu; most outstanding player Wanganui rep and NZ trialist, S Hansen; Most concientious, R Te Huia; best and fairest K Carey; most valuable player O Haitana; best forward, L Blake; (Raetihi); best supporter, J Bishop; spoon of the year, Bubbles Hansen; Walter Sue Memorial Shield for the best women's rugby supporter, Cheryl Trow. Men: Longest serving player, Paul Trow; most (dedicated valuable) clubman, John Heron; mostpromising player, Mathew Hepua; most improved forward, Paddy Chambers; most tries, Paul Trow; most points, Darren McDonnell; best forward, Moko Wihare; best back, Bendon Kavanagah; best and fairest (on and off field), Brad McCoubrie; most improved, Mathew Hepua; best senior team supporter Amiria Teki.