Secret meeting saved rugby around the coast

Will Johnston

A secret meeting down a rural dead-end road more than 25 years ago, proved vital for rugby around the coast.

Farm life changed in the mid-1990s and the Okato, Rahotu and Opunake rugby clubs were struggling to find players. What’s worse, those available were thinking about joining old foes.

Described as ‘clandestine’ by club members, the meeting was held at Kevin Barrett’s house and players committed to join forces to form the Coastal Rugby Club in 1995.

The meeting likely saved rugby in the area and this weekend it will celebrate its 25th jubilee, albeit a year later than planned. It's the second club to celebrate the milestone after Southern did the same at Easter.

Original committee member and inaugural club captain Brent Davies said his proudest moment isn’t a title or watching players go to higher representative honours, but what the club has become.   

“The fact it’s now a very important social hub, the pride with which members, and especially juniors, wear the colours on and off the field and mostly the way it has brought the coast together like no other entity has or could have,” he said.   

Now a life member, Davies said those involved formed relationships that wouldn’t have happened without the 1995 formation.

In 25 years, Coastal’s won two Taranaki premier titles and many across other divisions. Off the field, it purchased an 80-hectare farm near Oaonui in 2014 – the only club in the country to do so – for financial security.

Coastal chairperson Janet Fleming is expecting a large turnout for events across the weekend.  

“We are expecting about 400 people to attend over the three days, with some able to attend for one day only, and others there from start to finish,” she said.

Events include a meet and greet on Friday and a luncheon on Saturday where former All Black Graham Mourie will speak. After the matches at Rahotu, jerseys will be auctioned off and the club will launch its legacy fund. The weekend will finish with a rippa rugby game on Sunday.

In week 10 of the CMK premier competition, Fleming said Coastal is only too happy to play Stratford/Eltham.

“They are a neighbouring rural club that we have had many tight battles with over the years and this round should be no different.”

The mid-table match doubles as an important game for both sides in the context of the competition. 

In other matches, Tukapa host cross-town rivals New Plymouth Old Boys at Sanders Park, Southern play Inglewood at Hicks Park and Clifton is away to Spotswood United at Yarrow Stadium.

Kick-off is at 2:45pm.