Kereone Rugby and Sports Club centenary this weekend in Morrinsville

From left: Kereone club members Stu Hooker, Grant Hooker and Claude Piggott get stuck in preparing for this weekend's centenary celebrations. Photo / Supplied

More than 350 enthusiastic Kereone Rugby and Sports Club members and supporters are expected to pack out Campbell Park in Morrinsville throughout the club's centenary celebrations this weekend.

After more than 18 months of planning, centenary chairman John Aarts and his team are poised for the influx of locals and visitors coming from all parts of New Zealand, and as far afield as Australia.

"Our online registration system has been humming, especially over the last couple of weeks," says Aarts. "The chance to see Scotty Stevenson and our Couch Chat celebrities on Friday night, and the top brass from New Zealand Rugby and the local and Waikato unions at Saturday's dinner has got people really fired up," he says.

"Everyone wants to be a part of it, so much so that we've extended our marquee's capacity and registration period to meet demand."

Kereone's Trophy Cabinet shines with the help of (from left) Dylan Harrison, Charlotte Osborne, Annabelle Scherer and Gabrielle Scherer. Photo / Supplied

The centenary provides a double celebration as it also marks 35 years of netball at Kereone, one of the first in the Waikato to affiliate netball into a rugby club.

A Past v Present netball game at 11am kicks off Saturday's programme of sporting activities. JAB rugby follows at 1pm, including a curtain-raiser to the main game at 2pm when Kereone Seniors play Te Awamutu Marist.

"There'll be plenty of great entertainment for all and we haven't forgotten the youngsters who'll be there on Saturday. There's a bouncy castle and a special Kereone 100 Kids' Colouring Competition."

A centennial book, detailing Kereone's 100-year history and contribution to rugby, sports and the local community, will be available throughout the weekend.

"It's a rich history and there's been a lot of interest in the book, as well as in our auctions of a set of commemorative rugby jerseys and the two All Blacks' items that have been donated.

"All would be tremendous things for any rugby enthusiast to own and we're expecting some very lively bidding," says Aarts.

The weekend's celebrations close on Sunday morning with the unveiling of a centennial plaque and final chance to renew friendships at the clubrooms.

Due to popular demand registrations for Kereone's May 17 to 19 celebrations have been extended and can be made at kereonersc100.floktu.com