The Long Walk: Saturday sport highlight of their week

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Former players from as far afield as Japan and the Gold Coast will be attending YMP Hockey Club’s official centenary dinner in Gisborne on July 15.

Long-time club member and co-organiser Lynne Holmberg yesterday said 140 people were confirmed for the dinner at the Vines Restaurant and they were delighted with the response.

Among those will be club stalwart Phyllis Rickard who, while helping put together a history of the club, recalled stories told to her by her uncle George Brown and cousin Heni Sunderland about the dedication players showed in getting to hockey in Gisborne during the 1920s and 1930s . . .

“Childers Road Reserve in Roebuck Road was where hockey and rugby were played until the Oval became available for rugby.

“Soccer shared the reserve with hockey until Harry Barker Reserve became available and hockey shifted to that venue.

“During the early years of hockey — the 1920s and early 1930s — teams in the country areas had no public transport.

In fact, not many people had any form of motorised transport; horses were the more common mode for getting around.

“Muriwai-Hinenui hockey players used to walk from Muriwai to Manutuke late in the afternoon on Friday and stay the night with relatives.

“On Saturday morning, YMP and Hinenui players, accompanied by coaches and supporters, would walk from Manutuke all the way to the Reserve.

“Adverse weather conditions did not dampen their spirits. Playing sport on Saturday was the highlight of their week.

“George and Heni  said no one complained during the walk to town; they just couldn’t wait to play.

“Men played hockey in the morning and rugby in the afternoon while the women had hockey in the afternoon.

“After their games, they would make the long journey back to Manutuke where Nanny Mere Whaitiri had a huge hot meal waiting for them.

“This was a wonderful end to a perfect day — even better if everyone had won.

“Following the meal, all but the Hinenui contingent returned home for a good sleep after a very enjoyable but tiring day.

“After breakfast the next morning, the Hinenui group would walk back to their homes in Muriwai.

“Uncle George and Heni said the long walk reinforced the close relationship between all who took part.

“They felt blessed and thankful for Nanny Mere and her wonderful hospitality.

“The respect for her was evident whenever her name was mentioned.”