Paraparaumu Rugby Club to celebrate 100th anniversary

Hari Jackson, left, and Ray Dennison, with a trophy for the Paraparaumu versus Rahui rugby game. Photo / David Haxton

Paraparaumu Rugby Football Club is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Queen's Birthday events will mark the centenary.

One of the highlights will be a game between Paraparaumu and Rahui.

Paraparaumu is top of the Horowhenua-Kāpiti premier table, closely followed by Rahui.

The fixture will see Paraparaumu players don replica kit from its inaugural 1921 side.

Paraparaumu Rugby Club's replica inaugural jersey. Photo / David Haxton

"The side played in white shorts and a plain navy lace-up jersey so we've gone back to that for the one-off centenary game," club chairman Tony Bailey said.

If you want to see a hard-fought grassroots game of rugby, which has all the hallmarks of a classic encounter, head to Paraparaumu Domain on Saturday June 5 for the 2pm start.

"It should be a belter."

Rahui has presented Paraparaumu with a special carved trophy for the clash.

The 15 replica jerseys will be auctioned off at a gala dinner which will feature guest speakers - already confirmed are broadcasters Keith Quinn and John McBeth.

Paraparaumu Rugby Club has a rich and proud history.

A few of the key highlights was when the club won a premier three-peat from 1967 to 1969 and a five-peat from 2012 to 2016.

Reflecting back over the years, some games stay in the mind more than others, with club patron Ray Dennison vividly recalling a tight game against Levin Old Boys in the late 1960s.

"It was 3-nil to Levin. Back in those days a try was worth three points. I got the ball from the back of the scrum and went towards the line. Peter Siversen, our prop, yelled at me to pass the ball to him. So I did and he dived and scored. I was doing the kicking. So I had to stand in front of the posts and get it over. Everyone was watching. Thankfully I got it over for the win."

Paraparaumu Rugby Club's winning 1921 side.

The club has had a number of players go on to All Blacks level including Dane Coles, Christian Cullen, Paul Steinmetz, Mark Shaw, Gary Knight and Joe Karam.

It was hoped Coles will return to the club before he retires from the game.

"He's always said he would come and play his last season here," club president Peter Hunt said. "He comes to the club a lot and has been our water boy at about three or four finals."

The club's oldest playing member is Hari Jackson who is also a life member.

"I first played here when I was a 10-year-old school boy in 1946 and continued on through the years until I was 75 which was 10 years ago."

Dennison was quick off the mark when asked about what made the club so special.

"The atmosphere has always been great from when I started playing in 1953.

"Ever since that day it has been my life.

"I have pretty much done everything in the club including building work in my spare time."

Jackson concurs, saying the atmosphere was friendly and inviting.

"It's always good meeting the present players and shaking hands with them after a game even if they won or lost."

"It is a family club," Hunt adds.

"There's almost up to fifth generations playing at the club."

Having a strong and dedicated committee was important too.

"They have carried it on quite brilliantly," said Dennison giving a nod to the present committee.

"The club is roaring."

But like any rugby club, forward thinking was important.

"We've only got one ground but have too many junior teams to be able to play here [Paraparaumu Domain]," Bailey said.

"We've been looking at some long-term plans to potentially move to Mazengarb Park to play junior and senior rugby so we can be one place together and build those connections.

"Because we're so far apart it's hard to build those connections between the seniors and juniors.

"The connections are good at the moment because half of our senior squad have got kids playing in the juniors so they're down there coaching but other than that it has been hard to make those connections."

But for now the focus was on celebrating the centenary.

"It will be a great time and everyone is looking forward to it."

Centenary key events

Friday June 4: Meet and greet of old and new members at the clubrooms from 5pm.

Saturday June 5: Open day at the club from 9am to 4pm starting with junior grade games before Paraparaumu take on Athletic in a Senior B game at 12.45pm and a premier clash between Paraparaumu and Rahui at 2pm. Gala dinner at Kāpiti College in the evening.

Sunday June 6: Enjoy a club tradition, known as the 11s, featuring a beer and light lunch. From 11am at the clubrooms.