Div 1 kicks off this weekend

Get along and support the boys

Pre-game report

Kade Heke - Div 1 coach

As the pre season draws to a close following the trip to Wellington I think the team has really started to cement some of the key building blocks in what will be hopefully a strong and cohesive team this year. The game against Wellington Football Club provided us with our final hit out, and my feeling is that it was very positive and another step in the right direction in terms of how we play.

The team is coming together well and looking forward now to the season starting. Although we have had a couple of early set backs with injury we are welcoming back into the fold several past senior players that are bolstering the side with their experience and positive attitude.

There is plenty to work on already and the pre-season games helped with identifying these.

As a team I think we’re tracking really well helped by the senior players within the team and leading into our first game this weekend against what will be a strong Wanderers team. There are links between Wanderers and Nelson and in our recent history games between the two teams have been torrid and physical affairs and the season opener this weekend being no exception I’m sure.

Wellington Football Club 150th celebrations

Last weekend we helped Wellington Football Club celebrate their 150th anniversary

150 years ago Nelson Rugby Football Club (NRFC) and Wellington Football Club (WFC) played the first club / provincial rugby game played in New Zealand.

This year WFC, as part of their 150th celebrations, invited NRFC to Wellington for a rematch.

NRFC sent two teams - our Senior As and a combined U13 (11,12 & 13) team. Both teams were victorious in close, competitive games. The seniors won their game 32-21 and the U13s won 31-17.

Congratulations to the U13s captain Lucy Mahuika who was voted player of the day.

A full match report for the senior game is available on the Club Rugby website.

After the match the seniors and officials attended a celebration at New Zealand Rugby to mark the occasion.

U13s post-game activitites

Thanks to trip organiser William Moloney, the U13s went to the Cake Tin to watch the Hurricanes play the Blues and meet the Sky commentary team (Jeff Wilson, Christian Cullen, John Kirwin and Ruby Tui).

The next day they checked out Te Papa before heading back to Nelson.

A big shout out to William, Ash (coach) and the parents that accompanied the group for making the Juniors trip such a success.

Check out some action shots from the games

Thanks to the Wellington Football Club for sharing these images with us.
More images »

Commemorative signet ring

Paul Harris Jewellers have designed a Commemorative signet ring to mark the 150th celebration. The ring is available in Silver or Gold.

Orders are being taken now - if you are interested in getting your own bit of club history visit Paul at his store to view the ring and if you are as impressed with it as we are order your ring and have your finger sized.