Kihikihi Rugby Sports Club from above.
Former Black Fern Carla Hohepa said it’s very special for Kihikihi Rugby Sports Club to celebrate 140 years.
“For our family, it’s not really a club. It’s home,” Chiefs Manawa assistant coach Carla said. “We grew up watching our parents, our aunties and uncles play. It’s a place that we represent as part of our family.
The second oldest club in the Waikato, behind Pirongia (originally Alexandra) which turns 150 this year, Kihikihi will celebrate its milestone from June 5-7.
A meeting was held at the Star Hotel about the formation of the Kihikihi Football Club on Saturday, April 24, 1886. Their first match was against Cambridge Football Club at Kihikihi a month later – a nil-all draw.
Carla and younger sister Chyna represent their beloved club any chance they get.
“I have so many memories there as a child, surrounded by people who obviously weren’t my aunties and uncles by blood, but ended up becoming family,” Carla said. “When I come back, they still remember us as the little kids that used to run around the club.
Carla has represented Otago, Waikato, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens and the Black Ferns. Chyna is still turning out for the Manawa and Waikato and has also been a previous Black Ferns Sevens rep.
Kihikihi All Blacks representative Jim Wynyard was killed in Egypt during WWII. Photo: Crown Studios Ltd
Their parents Selwyn and Debbie have donned the Waikato kit too.
“I played one of my first women’s rugby games for Kihikihi alongside my mum, when I was still at Te Awamutu College,” Carla said. “I fondly remember that day of putting on the jersey and playing alongside my mum and my aunties. That was special.”
Other Waikato representatives Kihikihi can claim include Rapa Jackson, Bob Wynyard, Kiwi Searancke, Derek Devoy, Bill Bartie, Kiriana Nolan, Merania and Rina Paraone, Emma-Lee Heta, Manusina Samoa rep Easter Savelio and recent Black Ferns débutant Mia Anderson.
The club had a Māori All Black, Eddie Barton, in 1923 and 1935-1938 All Black Jim Wynyard who was killed in action during WWII.
“That’s a pretty special milestone to have from our small town in Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, to have players actually get to that level.” Carla said
1923 Māori All Black Eddie Barton’s family started Barton Quarry on Ōtorohanga Rd near Ngahape. Photo: Jesse Wood
