Club is 'on the up'

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 246, 14 June 1988, Page 16

Club is 'on the up'

So far 1988 has been a very successful season for the Raetihi Rugby Club. The senior team have not lost a game, the clubrooms have been wallpapered and painted and there are lots of school kids and parents getting involved in Saturday morning rugby.

There is a positive attitude around the club and at long last Raetihi rugby is on the up. For years the dominant club in the area has been Ohakune. The annual fixtures were nearly always one-sided affairs with Raetihi on the receiving end of a few hidings. This year was different with a lot of hard work and an excellent team spirit Raetihi came out o n top in a hard fought encounter. The match was the final of the Northern Wanganui competition and was played before the biggest rugby crowd seen in the district for years. The support from Raetihi was amazing with people who hadn't watched the team for years turning out to cheer them

on. It was standing room only in the clubrooms afterwards. The team's new found success is due to a number of factors. Coach Walter Sue is able to get the best out of his players - they are even enthusiastic about training up to four times a week. Most are fitter and more dedicated than they have ever been. The team spirit is excellent, building from their success and small things like new uniforms and working together on various fund raising activities and working bees. Captain's influence The whole squad of 25 plus players has contributed to the success. But Steve Calder the Wanganui captain

has obviously been a big influence on the team both on and off the field. Since the heady days of the Ohakune games the team has been playing in the third division. With their win against Bulls last Saturday they are virtually assured of promotion to the second division. But to win the third division they need to beat co-leaders Waiouru in the 'crunch' match this Saturday at Waiouru. Hopefully the town will again turn out in force to support them. The senior reserves team coached by "Happy" Hiroti has a big squad of enthusiastic players with over 20 turning out some training nights. Their convincing win over Utiku last Saturday shows they are coming right and should start matching the seniors' results. One unfortunate thing is the lack of an

Under 19 or Under 21 team in the club. Ohakune has a strong Under 19 team which is doing well. Best meals Behind the scenes the women's committee are still producing the best meals in the union for visiting teams and fundraising is going well. The clubrooms have recently been repainted and wallpapered. The majority of the work has been done by access scheme participants who have done an excellent job, The long term future of the club looks bright with, this year, 60 plus school boys and girls from 6 years up playing Saturday moming rugby. The club plays host to teams from Taihape to Turangi in a round robin tournament on Saturday June 25. At many as 270 buddinj Kirwans and Jones are expected to play.