Our Club
We are a Rugby Union and Sports club. We cater for the town and surrounding district of Whangamata. In rugby we field teams in both the senior and junior competitions of the Thames Valley Rugby Football Union. In cricket we host a local competition that runs for 2 or 3 nights a week during summer months. In Netball we field teams in both a winter tournament and a twilight early summer tournament. The club has excellent facilities with a clubrooms (available for hire) adjacent to two adjoining excellent playing fields. The netball courts adjoin the clubrooms.
A Brief History
The club was formed in 1963 as Whangamata continued to attract a population of permanent residents. As is normal in most community organisations the club has been championed by a relatively small group of enthusiasts ever since its foundation. In the initial years not only did the teams have to be organised but playing fields and clubrooms had to be established. Cricket was always an integral part of the club and establishment of the clubhouse was a joint effort. Initially the club jersey colour was dark blue. It was 1966 before the present grounds were ready to host matches. Initially the club played in the Waihi sub-union. In 1965 four players gained TVRU honours and no less than nine gained Waihi rep status. By 1971 things were moving along and inflation necessitated an increase in quart bottled beer prices from 35c to 40c! In 1975 the club colours were changed to the current red and white. The club has continued as an essential part of the Whangamata community but like all rural clubs has had to adapt to the increased competition from other sports and other forms of pastime and entertainment. It is a testimony to the current “group of enthusiasts” that the club is vibrant and powered their way to an inaugural TVRU club championship win in 2020 and were semifinalists in 2022.