Foster at his rugby home, Te Awamutu Sports. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Matthew Cooper, Chris Gibbes, Jono Gibbes, Scott McLeod and Deon Muir were among the rugby legends in attendance as Te Awamutu Sports ambushed Ian Foster with a life membership award.
Matthew Cooper speaking during Ian Foster’s life membership ceremony. Justin Miezenbeek
Days after the June release of his autobiography, Leading Under Pressure, the former All Blacks coach came to speak to Te Awamutu Sports members and launch his book to the community.
Foster’s friends, family and club sponsors were all there to celebrate him – a wonderful opportunity to recognise the part he has played in Te Awamutu Sports’ history.
Foster has given a lot to Te Awamutu across 40 plus years as a player and supporter of the rural town, including coaching young players and holding a 2023 All Blacks squad naming at the club.
He is Waikato rugby’s most capped player – 148 games – a career that started at Te Awamutu Old Boys and then Te Awamutu Sports when it was born in 1990.
“He’s always kept giving back to the club. He brought that All Blacks squad naming to the club and we were fortunate enough to get given the All Blacks bench seat for the Waikato,” club president Mark McNaughten said.
“He’s always been around mentoring coaches and junior players. He never forgets where he’s come from, that’s quite rare these days.
“Ian was over the moon because he wasn’t expecting the award.
“He had to do a book launch somewhere and he said to the publisher ‘there’s only one place I’m going to do this’ and it was at his rugby club – we thought that was pretty special.”
Ian Foster – leading under pressure.
After playing his last matches for the Chiefs and Waikato in 1998, Foster’s coaching journey began alongside fellow Te Awamutu man Kiwi Searancke.
Foster’s book details contract issues, commercial disagreements and a deteriorating relationship with New Zealand Rugby.
After everything he has been through and learnt, for better or worse, Foster and Te Awamutu Sports have stood together.
Now he will be forever etched in the club’s history books, again. A member for life, and beyond.
“Ian has done a lot. What he has bought to the club in the service side is what he got him the life membership,” McNaughten said.
“He’s been up here coaching juniors; he’s made himself available through auctions and he speaks at Sports quite a bit. We’ve had sponsors nights and he always brings something along with him to auction. He’s a really good man.
“Apart from the fact too, he’s an All Blacks coach. When you look at his whole record outside of the club, where he’s been and where he’s got to was a bit of a factor as well.
“He’s given a lot back and he still is giving a lot back to rugby.”
Foster at his rugby home, Te Awamutu Sports. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
