HISTORY
OUR STORY
The Beginning
In November 15th 1971 a meeting was held at the Golden Sands Motor Camp which was owned and run by Mr. Fred Smith to discuss the formation of a rugby football club in the Arataki, Mount Maunganui area. Those present were Fred Smith, Jack Warrender, Hoko Horne, John Bell, Max Sabin, George Murray, Marshal Te Kani, Ernie Harawira, Nobby Clark, Hancox, Mundy, Wallace Campbell, Paton, Baker and MacDougal. A motion was moved by Jack Warrender that the club be named ‘Arataki Rugby Football Club’. Another motion was moved by John Bell, that the club colours were to be red and black.
Arataki Senior Team The first Senior rugby games were originally played at Arataki Primary School and afterwards both teams proceeded to the Golden sands Motor Camp for showers. Games were then moved to the now Arataki Park (Formerly Grenada Park) which was a paddock at that time. Players got changed at Max Sabin’s place on Grenada St which was directly opposite Zambuck Way. He was also the local Community Constable. Players still had to go to the Golden sands Motor Camp to shower at a cost of 5 cents.Fred Smith was the first official Club President. Fred should honorably be acknowledged for his support and generosity by making available his Motor Camp facilities when Arataki was without a club rooms. Fred was also the first delegate to the Tauranga Sub Union and was well known in Tauranga rugby circles as “Arataki Fred”
In June 10th 1973, a special meeting was called to discuss the proposed new club rooms on Grenada Park but a motion would not be passed until April 12, 1977 that the club proceeds immediately with the first stage of the Arataki Sports Club building. In August 1974 the Arataki Football and Sports Club became an official Incorporated Society.
Arataki Junior Management Committee (Arataki J.M.C.) 1972 saw the first time, the Arataki colours would take to the fields in the Tauranga J.M.C. competition. From a modest 4 teams in 1972 the J.M.C. grew to 11 teams in 1984. In 1978 the J.M.C. formed its own sub-committee which only strengthened the committees for the better of the club.
March 19th 1978; Arataki Rugby Football and Sports Clubrooms was opened by Keith Quinn Eddie Pinkerton cleaned showers etc after every game while playing. Ike Jacobs obtained power poles from his place of work (Power Board) and they then became the first poles for lighting and stayed until June 2010. On November 29th 1981, John Minchin and Derek Williams became the first life members of the club. April 30th 1983 saw the beginning for the new club extensions.
Softball In September 1981 the Arataki (Dodgers) Rugby Softball Club was formed. With a generous grant of approximately $2000 from the Arataki Rugby Club the Softball Club went into their first season with sufficient equipment for two women’s teams and one men’s. The 1981/82 season saw the top Arataki women’s team win the ‘A’ Grade Competition. The 1982/83 season saw the inclusion of a College girl’s team and the 1983/84 season saw the formation of another men’s team.
Netball Arataki saw its first season in 1982 with their No 1. team ‘Flyers’ coached by C. Faulkner taking out the winners trophy. This team name still stands today in our Womens Senior division. Tel Stars the No. 2. team had moderate success that year. 1983 saw a few changes and the introduction of a third team called ‘Cosmos’
Growing with the times
March 17th 1984 The new Arataki Rugby Football and Sports Club officially opened.
President’s report - 1984 It gives me much pleasure to extend a welcome on behalf of the Club, to you all. Today marks a further milestone with the opening of our new club rooms. The club is most appreciative of the assistance received from the many businesses in the building of these clubrooms. Also we thank the many sponsors who have helped us to bring some well known players here today. To all players partaking, right from the junior management teams, through to our invitation teams, we thank you for your participation and hope that your stay with us will be a memorable one. Welcome everyone – have an enjoyable time.
Bob Oates
President
Arataki Rugby & Sports Club
Building Committee report - 1984 We have finally after many long hours and arduous days nights/weeks and weekends completed our clubrooms. From early days when working bees saw men and woman fighting for shovels and barrows to the finished product with painting by men and women; we have utilized all available skills and services within our club to finish one of the longer single projects of this size one has been in charge of. We have had to be very ruthless in our approach in order to achieve our objectives. This has been one of the more unsavory aspects of our endeavor, this we hope you will understand was a necessity we could not avoid. My awards for the; Most loyal and devoted labourer; Simon Kuka (for not deserting the ranks when the rugby league test was on TV). Most improved carpenter; Aden Tangira (my only fear being he will go into business for himself). Best concrete worker; Wayne Jury (he came here to get away from concrete). Best leading hand; Harry Tawa (except for his week in Kings Cross returned a new man). Best painter; Jack Warrender (he thought he was painting St. Peters Cathedral). Youngest worker; Stacy Keach (for 8 hours of block pointing). Oldest worker; Dave Odey (a bloody pest at times, God help the possums – Well done!). To the many ladies who laboured so hard and long to provide to provide meals, support encouragement, it certainly helped to keep the wheels in motion and the few ales helped to replace the sweat. To those that gave and sacrificed so much I hope you will express our thanks to those who were able, or asked to assist in our new construction. It is gratifying to see that the finished building has involved so many, which has enabled us to finish on time and below cost. We would wish that our new club will offer larger spectrum of local support, and provide our visitors with more pleasant and comfortable surroundings. Once again my sincere thanks to those who were involved, and trust you also can benefit from this venture.
Yours sincerely
T. Keach
Key Dates:
1991 - WBOP Division Winners
2006 - Arataki Sports Club becomes first alcohol free club in NZ and wins Division 1 competition. Promotion to Baywide Premier Division
2007 – Arataki Premier Rugby team first year in Premier division
2009 – Arataki Netball Champions Premier Division
2010 – November - Arataki Clubrooms building is demolished :(
2011 – Arataki Senior Rugby team finalists Division 2
2011 – September - New Arataki Community Centre Opens – New Club Base for operations
2012 – Club Rebuilding Plan begins.....
2013 - Arataki Senior promoted to Baywide First Division from Second Division
2015 - Arataki Senior promoted to Baywide Premier
2017 - Premier 2 Final Winners
The Beginning
In November 15th 1971 a meeting was held at the Golden Sands Motor Camp which was owned and run by Mr. Fred Smith to discuss the formation of a rugby football club in the Arataki, Mount Maunganui area. Those present were Fred Smith, Jack Warrender, Hoko Horne, John Bell, Max Sabin, George Murray, Marshal Te Kani, Ernie Harawira, Nobby Clark, Hancox, Mundy, Wallace Campbell, Paton, Baker and MacDougal. A motion was moved by Jack Warrender that the club be named ‘Arataki Rugby Football Club’. Another motion was moved by John Bell, that the club colours were to be red and black.
Arataki Senior Team The first Senior rugby games were originally played at Arataki Primary School and afterwards both teams proceeded to the Golden sands Motor Camp for showers. Games were then moved to the now Arataki Park (Formerly Grenada Park) which was a paddock at that time. Players got changed at Max Sabin’s place on Grenada St which was directly opposite Zambuck Way. He was also the local Community Constable. Players still had to go to the Golden sands Motor Camp to shower at a cost of 5 cents.Fred Smith was the first official Club President. Fred should honorably be acknowledged for his support and generosity by making available his Motor Camp facilities when Arataki was without a club rooms. Fred was also the first delegate to the Tauranga Sub Union and was well known in Tauranga rugby circles as “Arataki Fred”
In June 10th 1973, a special meeting was called to discuss the proposed new club rooms on Grenada Park but a motion would not be passed until April 12, 1977 that the club proceeds immediately with the first stage of the Arataki Sports Club building. In August 1974 the Arataki Football and Sports Club became an official Incorporated Society.
Arataki Junior Management Committee (Arataki J.M.C.) 1972 saw the first time, the Arataki colours would take to the fields in the Tauranga J.M.C. competition. From a modest 4 teams in 1972 the J.M.C. grew to 11 teams in 1984. In 1978 the J.M.C. formed its own sub-committee which only strengthened the committees for the better of the club.
March 19th 1978; Arataki Rugby Football and Sports Clubrooms was opened by Keith Quinn Eddie Pinkerton cleaned showers etc after every game while playing. Ike Jacobs obtained power poles from his place of work (Power Board) and they then became the first poles for lighting and stayed until June 2010. On November 29th 1981, John Minchin and Derek Williams became the first life members of the club. April 30th 1983 saw the beginning for the new club extensions.
Softball In September 1981 the Arataki (Dodgers) Rugby Softball Club was formed. With a generous grant of approximately $2000 from the Arataki Rugby Club the Softball Club went into their first season with sufficient equipment for two women’s teams and one men’s. The 1981/82 season saw the top Arataki women’s team win the ‘A’ Grade Competition. The 1982/83 season saw the inclusion of a College girl’s team and the 1983/84 season saw the formation of another men’s team.
Netball Arataki saw its first season in 1982 with their No 1. team ‘Flyers’ coached by C. Faulkner taking out the winners trophy. This team name still stands today in our Womens Senior division. Tel Stars the No. 2. team had moderate success that year. 1983 saw a few changes and the introduction of a third team called ‘Cosmos’
Growing with the times
March 17th 1984 The new Arataki Rugby Football and Sports Club officially opened.
President’s report - 1984 It gives me much pleasure to extend a welcome on behalf of the Club, to you all. Today marks a further milestone with the opening of our new club rooms. The club is most appreciative of the assistance received from the many businesses in the building of these clubrooms. Also we thank the many sponsors who have helped us to bring some well known players here today. To all players partaking, right from the junior management teams, through to our invitation teams, we thank you for your participation and hope that your stay with us will be a memorable one. Welcome everyone – have an enjoyable time.
Bob Oates
President
Arataki Rugby & Sports Club
Building Committee report - 1984 We have finally after many long hours and arduous days nights/weeks and weekends completed our clubrooms. From early days when working bees saw men and woman fighting for shovels and barrows to the finished product with painting by men and women; we have utilized all available skills and services within our club to finish one of the longer single projects of this size one has been in charge of. We have had to be very ruthless in our approach in order to achieve our objectives. This has been one of the more unsavory aspects of our endeavor, this we hope you will understand was a necessity we could not avoid. My awards for the; Most loyal and devoted labourer; Simon Kuka (for not deserting the ranks when the rugby league test was on TV). Most improved carpenter; Aden Tangira (my only fear being he will go into business for himself). Best concrete worker; Wayne Jury (he came here to get away from concrete). Best leading hand; Harry Tawa (except for his week in Kings Cross returned a new man). Best painter; Jack Warrender (he thought he was painting St. Peters Cathedral). Youngest worker; Stacy Keach (for 8 hours of block pointing). Oldest worker; Dave Odey (a bloody pest at times, God help the possums – Well done!). To the many ladies who laboured so hard and long to provide to provide meals, support encouragement, it certainly helped to keep the wheels in motion and the few ales helped to replace the sweat. To those that gave and sacrificed so much I hope you will express our thanks to those who were able, or asked to assist in our new construction. It is gratifying to see that the finished building has involved so many, which has enabled us to finish on time and below cost. We would wish that our new club will offer larger spectrum of local support, and provide our visitors with more pleasant and comfortable surroundings. Once again my sincere thanks to those who were involved, and trust you also can benefit from this venture.
Yours sincerely
T. Keach
Key Dates:
1991 - WBOP Division Winners
2006 - Arataki Sports Club becomes first alcohol free club in NZ and wins Division 1 competition. Promotion to Baywide Premier Division
2007 – Arataki Premier Rugby team first year in Premier division
2009 – Arataki Netball Champions Premier Division
2010 – November - Arataki Clubrooms building is demolished :(
2011 – Arataki Senior Rugby team finalists Division 2
2011 – September - New Arataki Community Centre Opens – New Club Base for operations
2012 – Club Rebuilding Plan begins.....
2013 - Arataki Senior promoted to Baywide First Division from Second Division
2015 - Arataki Senior promoted to Baywide Premier
2017 - Premier 2 Final Winners
