Leading from the front issuu

chapter four
GLORY RUGBY DAYS
CONTINUE
For the son of devout Brethren followers, taking
part in sport was discouraged but Pat was a natural
sportsman and a passionate one too. Rather
than being a form of unconscious rebellion against strict
disciplines, his passion for all things sporty was simply
a love for action, friendship and fun that was enjoyed all
the more when he was playing with a team.
“It didn’t matter how good you were or whether you
won, sport for me was simply being part of something
that was healthy and positive.”
The 1950 Napier High School Old Boys’ (NHSOB)
team, with Pat as half back, enjoyed a dream run picking
up the triumvirate of prestigious rugby awards; the Maddison
Trophy, Bowman Cup and Lance Preston Memorial
Cup. A proud member of the NHSOB team for a good
number of years, he even played a couple of games for
Hawke’s Bay around this era.
When it came time to hang up his ‘serious rugby’
boots, Pat joined the committee of the Hawke’s Bay
Rugby Union. One of the more high profile events
hosted under his watch as president in the late 60s,
was the charity match that pitted the remnants of the
legendary Hawke’s Bay Ranfurly Shield winning team,
against a stellar line up of former All Black greats at
McLean Park.
The event gathered together the cream of New Zealand
rugby. The Hawke’s Bay hospitality was hearty
and generous and the visiting rugby stars were treated
to scenic rides in Lou Harris’s plane at Brooklands,
flown by his legendary top dressing pilot Dick Beattie.
Included in the ABs line up was Peter Jones (rugby’s
wonder kid from Kaitaia), plus four Going brothers and
Wilson Whineray, to name just a few. Provincial greats
included Rod Abel and Kel Tremain, who assisted the
host team in securing the community-spirited win.
Pat realised early on that sport involves so much
more than being fit and winning. “Sport brings people
together and brings communities together too. Community
involvement, and especially engaging young
people in healthy pursuits benefits the entire community.
Young people who have purpose and community
spirit don’t join gangs,” he says, “and that leads to
healthier, stronger communities. Sport is good fun too
— everyone needs some fun.”
Above: Rugby gods and an avid fan: Peter Jones, Kelvin Tremain, Wilson Whineray and Pat. Kelvin Tremain: 1938 — 1992, played for Hawke’s
Bay and New Zealand before becoming an administrator. He won 38 caps as flanker for the All Blacks between 1959 and 1968 and scored
nine tries, with his contribution to New Zealand rugby rating up there alongside Colin Meads. Opposite page: (Clockwise from top) Napier
High School Old Boys’ 1950 Dream Team; Charity match line up, Hawke’s Bay v former All Black’s at McLean Park, late ‘60s; scenic rides for
the Boys; Catherine and Pat with Ian Kirkpatrick; Magpies lock Rod Abel and Pat on prescribed r & r and kaimoana gathering, Rod worked
for Pat in the shop for a while; Pat officiating as president at the charity match welcome function hosted by Lou Harris at Brooklands Station.
Glory rugby days continue 37