Leon Green (left) and Ollie Ward
Te Awamutu Sports and Recreation Club celebrated 35 years of sport, community, and connection at Albert Park earlier this month.
Te Awamutu Sports sevens team connect with Te Awamutu College players. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Life member and patron Lou Brown said that’s not to forget what came before – Sports was established with the amalgamation of Te Awamutu Old Boys, established 1934, and Te Awamutu United, established in 1947.
“There’s still a history. Don’t forget the history of Old Boys and United. That is still on the walls. Still there and honoured. We’ve got to look where our roots were and recognise people that put in all that effort and time over the years,” Brown said.
“All of those people created what we’ve got now. It’s a legacy that we want to carry on and keep it going. It’s part of the Te Awamutu identity really.”
Community sports director Ollie Ward during a game of touch. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Since 1990 Te Awamutu Sports has travelled the world – from Melrose in Scotland, to winning the club level of the Hong Kong Sevens to attending the amateur rugby world cup in France.
The celebration event brought together past and present players, families, supporters and the wider community for a day of exhibition games, food stalls, kids’ activities and entertainment.
“It was an excellent day. All the foundation members that are still around were there,” Brown said.
“My wife Els and I have both been involved in various levels all the way through. There’s always a feeling like family. When we go there, we all know each other.
Lacrosse action on Albert Park. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Each of the club’s codes took the field throughout the day to display their sport – touch, cricket, lacrosse, hockey, netball, basketball, rugby league, junior rugby and senior rugby sevens.
“We realised to make it work, we had to create a sports hub, which is what we’ve done. From having one or two codes to 11 now including cycling,” Brown said.
“The codes operate reasonably independently as adjutants but operate collectively under the umbrella of the club.
Brown is happy with the direction the club is going in.
“The celebration was a good thing to get people out there participating in their club and realising just what we do, the variety of sports and how involved we are in the community,” he said.
“What Ollie Ward and Ryley Emery do in the schools, I think that’s critical. We’ve taken over from Sport Waikato on the ground. Getting kids active.”
