Club aims to win community support

Mana Mackie, Tikipunga Rugby Club captain (left), and Tammy Mackie are calling for more support from the community to ensure the club's future. Photo / John Stone

A tournament and fun day is planned to help breathe life into the struggling Tikipunga Rugby Club.

The glory days are long gone for the club that hasn't fielded a senior team for a few years now but still has the under-19s and kids turning up for their grades.

However, treasurer Tammy Mackie said even those keen youngsters might not be enough to keep the club afloat unless the community got behind it and membership went up.

"You need to be quite financial as a club to attract senior players. We know there are a couple of teams-worth of senior players living around this area who play for other clubs," Ms Mackie said.

The club has organised an open day tomorrow from 10.30am-2pm, aimed at getting locals and the wider rugby community along to see what's on offer there.

"It's really just to get the community along and become aware that we're here. We hope it will encourage new players to join up and get involved."

Demonstration games will be held between the club's JB 1 and nursery teams, and the JB 4 and 5 teams. The main game of the day will be the "Past and Present" match, between the current under-19 side and club's past players.

Stalls, hangi, tugs-of-war, lolly scrambles and spot prizes will add to the fun. The club has been at its current location at Reed St since the 1970s.