2022 50th Anniversary Programme

DOWNLOAD
2022 50th Anniversary Programme

CLICK HERE

CHAIRMAN WBRU
JASON CARRUTHERS

On behalf of the WBRU I would like to make a special welcome to you all on our Anniversary weekend celebrating 50 years of Wairarapa Bush Rugby.

A special welcome to Max Spence (NZRU President), Ian Kirkpatrick (NZRU Patron), Bill Osborne (Past NZRU President), Bob Francis and Glynn Meads who will be part of our 50th Dinner celebration and the Launch of the Brian Lochore Rugby Trust. They will be joined at the dinner with former Heartland player, captain and coach, Joe Harwood and Dave Galvin, WBRU Life Member and former Chair of WBRU.

In 1970, the two existing Unions, Bush and Wairarapa collaborated in a combined Club competition which was the forerunner of the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union.

To all those who were involved in the formation and the administration over the last 50 years, thank you for making us proud as a province.

Over the weekend we will have the opportunity to renew our past friendships and celebrate the stories of our successes. On Friday night we the opening of the Wairarapa Bush Rugby History Museum and the cutting of the cake by our Patron, Eric Kenny and Life Member, Bob Francis.

I would like to make a very special mention to Gary Hall and Farry McLeod who have worked tirelessly in restoring and building the History Museum. Their uncovering of Cups,Trophies and of course New Zealand’s oldest programme (1888 Wairarapa versus Great Britain) will forever be a treasured moment from their work.

To the supporters of Horowhenua-Kapiti and the team and managers, welcome today and the game will be part of the important result as both teams are trying to secure vital points in the Bunnings Heartland Championship. As always the PPG Wrightson Cup is up for grabs and is currently held by our visitors.

PRESIDENT WBRU
BUNTER ANDERSON
Twelve months on from what was originally planned, the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union finally gets the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of amalgamation.

Welcome to all past players, referees, officials and supporters, who have all contributed to the Union’s continued growth over this period.

Special welcome to Sir Ian Kirkpatrick, Bill Osborne, ax Spence(NZR President) and Bob Francis, who will be entertaining us tonight at the 50th Dinner, as well as enjoying a traditional day of Heartland rugby. We’re delighted to welcome Horowhenua Kapiti Heartland team to be part of our celebrations, and I’m sure both sides will enjoy the firm underfoot conditions with plenty of ball movement.

Obviously they are determined to put on a top effort this afternoon to honour the players who have come before them, so all the best to Mark and his group.

To kick off the day we have Wairarapa Bush U18 and our Barbarians (development) teams playing, as well as an Invitation team doing their best to outwit a Parliamentary Team, containing an ex All Black or two. Our women’s Heartland side was to have played as well, however their fixture fell through, which is a shame for the ladies, who are playing with lots of enthusiasm and enjoying the team environment.

I was fortunate to travel to Gisborne with the Heartland team last week and was impressed with the boys attitude. They are working hard and showed a marked improvement in the narrow loss to Poverty Bay. I was also able to stop at the Women’s game in Napier, also against Poverty Bay, which was a battle in tough conditions but it was Poverty Bay that came away with a 10-0 win.

Finally a massive thank you to Stacey Puddy who has led the way in planning and organising the weekend celebrations, a huge job very well done.

Looking forward to catching up with many old mates and renewing that bond you get from playing within a group of special people.