Rugby: Bay teams to honour Anzac heroes

Rugby. Photo / Stephen Parker

Bay of Plenty Rugby will mark Anzac Day with a minute's silence by all teams playing tomorrow.

A number of former club rugby players, club members and officials are among those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War 1.

The union's historian and life member Brent Drabble's grandfather Joseph Drabble joined the crusade in Gallipoli. Joseph, commonly known as Joe, played for Te Puke United, now known as Te Puke Sports Rugby Club from 1912-1913 prior to Gallipoli. Drabble was wounded in action preventing him from continuing his rugby career but returned to Te Puke, passing away in 1971 just short of his 80th birthday.

John James Douglas was another Te Puke United rugby player and represented Bay of Plenty in 1912. He played two out of three Bay of Plenty representative matches that year. Douglas was killed in action on August 8, 1915 at Chunuk Bair.

Eastern Bay of Plenty's Thomas Simpkins played club rugby for Whakatane's Taneatua club. Simpkins did not get the honour to play for Bay of Plenty prior to departing for Gallipoli as the union was only established in 1911.

Instead in 1911 Simpkins was one of Bay of Plenty's first New Zealand Maori representatives. Simpkins was wounded in Gallipoli and passed away later as a result of his injures on September 1, 1915.

Bay of Plenty Rugby CEO Mike Rogers says the Anzac centenary is a very important date for Bay of Plenty Rugby.

"This day is an opportunity for the rugby community in the Bay of Plenty to join together to mark our respects and acknowledge those individuals that have served our country.

"We will remember those who fought and died, with great gratitude," he said.

Teams have been requested to line up for an Anzac remembrance that will include a minute's silence.

-There are no Western Bay Premier or Development games over Anzac weekend. Clubs are preparing for the start of the 2015 Baywide competitions which kick off on May 2.

The Western Bay division one title will be decided on Anzac Day when Arataki host Katikati at Grenada Park, with Rangiuru at home at Centennial Park in Te Puke to Judea. All games kick off at 2.45pm.

Senior Reserve games on Saturday are between Rangiuru and Judea at Rangiuru, Arataki and Tauranga Sports at Arataki and Te Puke host Greerton Marist. Start times 1pm.