Heady days of Rotorua's Western Heights First XV rugby remembered in reunion

Western Heights High School current 1st XV members Tama Bidios and Max Hale hold the commemorative shirt. On the back is a list of the names of all who played in the school's 1997 and 1998 teams.

In the mid to late 1980s, Western Heights High School was a dominant force in schoolboy rugby.

The school's first XV went unbeaten for three years, held the Moascar Cup and competed in the national Top Four competition.

The Moascar Cup is the secondary school equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield. Victories over Rotorua Boys' High School were particularly savoured.

Dick Gordon and Phil George were the coaches, Charles Te Kowhai was the captain and plenty of players went on to play at provincial level. No 8 Courtney Ireland moved into a different sporting field and went to the Commonwealth Games in 1990 and 1994, where he won silver in the shot put. Gordon coached the school's first XV for 17 years finishing up in 1990.

Trevor "Tank" Tuielu, an outside back, who still lives in Rotorua, and teaches at Rotorua Primary School, has been heavily involved in organising the reunion with Scott Morrison.

Tuielu said all the players involved in the first XV at the time appreciated the impact Gordon and George had on them.

"They instilled in us the value of being loyal and commitment to one another and never to give up. We were very lucky to have them and that's why we've got a lot of time for them now, and in many ways they are the reason why we organised this [reunion].

"What they taught us was respect - to respect one another and respect our opponents."

While some of the team haven't seen one another since they left school, others are in regular contact.

Tuielu said the side had good role models provided by previous first XV teams and in turn wanted to create a legacy for future sides from the school.

The first time the reunion was thought of was at the funeral of Te Kowhai's mother last year.

After a muster this evening, there will be a bus tour and quiz tomorrow afternoon, the formal presentation of a framed commemorative jersey that will be hung in the school hall. The jersey commemorates Gordon's years as first XV coach and includes his nickname, Flash.

There will be a social event tomorrow evening open to all former students.