Masterton Red Star go ritzy

The after-match function for the Masterton Red Star versus Martinborough premier division rugby match on Saturday will be something special.
Rather than have players and supporters of both teams gather as normal at their Herbert St headquarters Masterton Red Star have organised a one-day bar licence for the match venue, the Colombo Rd grounds, so they can show off the renovation work which has been done, mostly on a voluntary basis, to their clubrooms there.
Spokesman Peter Semmens said it would be the first time since 1995 that the Colombo Rd facility had been used for after-match refreshments.
Around $50,000, raised through raffles, quiz nights, a prom night party, firewood cutting and some grants, has already been spent on enhancing the clubrooms. Although there is still a way to go before the work is complete Semmens expressed delight at the manner and speed in which the project is progressing.
Improvements outside have included the construction of a new roof and spouting, a paint job and the planting of gardens. Inside the floor has been replaced, ceilings lowered, and the walls have been gibbed and painted..
Semmens said the initial push for renovating the Colombo Rd amenities came from the JAB section of the Masterton Red Star club about 2 years ago with a subcommittee being formed to explore all possibilities.
"At that stage the clubrooms were really rundown. They were a mess," Semmens said. "They are the largest asset our club has and what we are doing is an investment for the future.
"Right now it's still a work in progress but we're definitely heading in the right direction."
While many people have given voluntary help towards the renovations, Semmens singles out two, Gavin Sullivan and Lee Veale, for special mention.
Sullivan is a true Masterton Red Star stalwart, being on the senior committee, JAB committee and the Colombo Rd re-development subcommittee. He somehow also finds time to manage the club's senior reserves side and coach the under-9 Rams Whites team.
Veale, too, has served the club admirably for a long time, including being an active member of their senior reserves line-up.