2023 Club Final Programme

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JASON CARRUTHERS – CHAIRMAN WBRU

On behalf of the WBRU we would like to welcome you to the 2023 WBRU Club Rugby Finals day. We have a great line up of games for the day. Marist v Martinborough in the Senior Reserve President’s Cup, Tuhirangi v Masterton Red Star in the ‘Whataboutu’ Ryan Cup, and Carterton v Greytown in the Chris “Moose” Kapene Memorial Cup final. We wish all the clubs well for your respective finals.

Congratulations, also, to Martinborough for claiming the Hodder-Steffert Cup last weekend over East Coast.

Every year brings its own dramas and twists and 2023 certainly delivered again.

I would also like to welcome all the Life Members of the clubs, referees and WBRU to the pre-match luncheon, and the launch of the Sir Brian Lochore Rugby Foundation.

A special thanks to David Cameron, Steve Hurley and Graeme Reisima for their work in setting up the foundation. Please mark down 29th October for the first BJ Lochore Golf Tournament.

Our junior rugby numbers have increased by 8% in 2023, with much of the increase in the Under 6’s, 8’s and 9’s grades. The love of the game remains strong in our young ones. The challenge is to keep them engaged throughout their whole life with good coaching, great club environments, opportunities to participate and making every Saturday a good experience. This must be an attainable goal for all of us.

Finally, to all our major sponsors, I want to acknowledge and thank you, on behalf of the WBRU, for supporting us.. Your generous contributions ensured WBRU and club rugby was able to continue through 2023 and flourish again in 2024.

BUNTER ANDERSON – PRESIDENT WBRU

Welcome everyone to the 2023 club finals day. If it’s anything like recent years it will be a cracker of a day for all involved. Congratulations to Carterton and Greytown on making the Premier final for the Chris ‘Moose’ Kapene Cup.

Defending champions Carterton have been a front runner throughout the season again and have a well balanced side, whereas Greytown have had a superb late run firstly into the semifinals and now of course the final. The return of some key players have bolstered their ranks at the right time.

The Senior Reserve Ryan Cup final sees defending champions Tuhirangi taking on Masterton Red Star. Both sides like to move the ball around which will make for a an exciting game.

The Hodder Steffert Cup for 5th v 6th was decided last week with Martinborough defeating East Coast in a highly entertaining game.

Once again the Wairarapa Wahine Toa woman’s team competed in the Manawatu competition and improved considerably to pick up a win, as well as pushing some of the top teams to the wire. Hopefully this bodes well for WB woman’s team.

To all the coaches, managers, and committee members, thanks for the time and effort you all put in to keep our game going at all levels. As we’re all aware it’s hard work trying to keep clubs going in the current environment, with most teams struggling for player numbers at various times.

Special thanks to Graeme Reisima and his team of referees, who work harder than most, with limited resources, to control the games at all levels.

To Reece Robinson, our Heartland coach, and his team, I wish them all the very best for the upcoming season. I know a lot of hard work has been put in and I’m sure we’ll see positive results.

Finally to Tony, Stacey, Cameron, Scott, Riley, Trish & Ray thanks for keeping everything on track in the front office, as well as putting in a lot of hard work developing the game in our region. We’re fortunate to have people of your quality running our game.

Best wishes to all involved in today’s games.