Well… we’ve made it to the end of another epic season for our little club — boots muddy, voices hoarse, big tackles, fast runs, and the loudest sideline in the Waikato. From our 6th Grade right through to our 11th, our kids gave it everything. They turned up with passion, with guts, and with smiles, no matter the weather.
Our kids aren’t just great rugby players – they’re good people. They’ve built friendships, grown in confidence, and pushed through fears to show resilience and heart. They’ve learned what it means to trust each other, to work as a team, and to never give up. That’s what makes us proudest.
And behind them, as always, is our epic RJRC community. Every parent backing not just their own kid, but a whole team of kids. Parents leading the way, showing our tamariki what real teamwork looks like — that you always have each other’s backs, on and off the field. That’s the heartbeat of this club.
A few special thank-yous belong right at the top:
Raglan Bakery – for sponsoring our Player of the Day kiddos.
Raglan Fish – for sponsoring our Ripper/Tackler of the Day players.
Raglan Surf Emporium – for everything you do, from training tees to leavers hoodies.
The Hayes family – for your massive contributions to our club.
Waikato Hunting and Fishing – for sponsoring our coach and manager jackets and our raffles.
Waikato Building Relocators – for their massive sponsorship to our club.
360 Site Fencing – for their huge sponsorship to our club.
Every child went home from prizegiving with a medal and a team photo — a tradition we proudly continue every year. Because here, every single child is seen. Recognised for their effort, their growth, and the way they’ve been part of their team.
None of this happens without our people. To our coaches and managers — thank you for the hours you put in, for teaching skills, building confidence, patching up knocks, and shaping kids who will carry your lessons for life. To our volunteers — the ones setting up fields, running raffles, cooking sausages, and stepping in whenever needed — we see you too, and we’re so grateful. To our committee — the glue that keeps this whole thing ticking — you are the backbone of RJRC.
The U60s brought home the Gwynne Shield for the second year in a row and finished second in the Clarke Family Cup for Sportsmanship. Our U45s also had a massive campaign, finishing second in the Gourde Cup.
We couldn’t be prouder of our kids who represented Raglan. They played with courage, passion, and teamwork — and they were proud to represent their community.
Special Thanks:
Raglan Sign Company
Harbour View Hotel
Property Brokers Raglan
Direct Tech
Bizworx Consultancy
The Shack
Morning Glory Coffee
Fence It Munnsy
R&J’s Portable Cabins
J&P Fagan Contracting
Thompsons ITM
Wally Smiths
Hunt & Gather Bee Co.
And thank you again to Raglan Surf Emporium for sponsoring our Year 8 leavers’ hoodies — a tradition the kids carry with pride.
Community Spirit
RJRC is more than just rugby — it’s whānau. For the past few years, we’ve run a boot box where kids can swap out last year’s boots for a new-to-them pair. If anyone has boots to donate, bring them down — they’ll go straight to good use.
This season reminded us again that our strength is in our people – volunteers, sponsors, parents, players, and the wider Raglan community — you’re the reason our kids get to play this game and feel so supported while doing it.
At the end of the day, rugby is just the vehicle. What really matters is the pride, passion, and spirit of Raglan that makes this club what it is.
RJRC forever.
Team Results
6th Grade – Coaches: Katrina Barker & Rory O’Brien, Manager: Emma Macpherson (sponsored by Bizworx Consultancy)
Best Attacker – Van Mathers
Best Defender – Caio Donaldson
Most Improved – Lilly Vercoe
7th Grade – Coaches: Mike Van Den Bemd & Luca Bosch, Manager: Catriona Tilsley (sponsored by Harbour View Hotel)
Best Defender – Kaharoa Bosch
Best Attacker – Angus Tilsley
Most Improved – Sunny McCarthy
8th Grade – Coaches: Michael Corns & Matt Bell, Manager: Aimie Tovey (sponsored by Matt & Sam Bell)
Best Defender – Sam Bourke
Best Attacker – Makai Donaldson
Most Improved – Alex Ashplant
9th Grade – Coaches: Sam Barker & Sheldon Smith, Manager: Hayley Smith (sponsored by Protech Plumbing & Gas)
Best Defender – Lachie Tilsley
Best Attacker – Koby Smith
Most Improved – Aria Donaldson
10th Grade – Coach: Nick Francis, Manager: Tania Schnuriger (sponsored by Direct Tech)
Best Attacker – Charlie Wakelin
Best Defender – George Jackson
Most Improved – Levi Goodwin
11th Grade – Coaches: Callum Bourke & Frazer Peacocke, Manager: Emma Snowden (sponsored by Waikato Building Relocators)
Most Improved – Orin Bennett
Best Back – Henry Fagan
Best Forward – Johannes Windust
Mana Awards – Sponsored by Property Brokers Raglan
6th Grade – Kiwa Prior
7th Grade – Rex Ross
8th Grade – Blake Bell
9th Grade – Ridge Munns
10th Grade – Taylor Francis
11th Grade – Joe Joe Davis
Club Awards
Rowe Family – Young Gun Award: Lauchie Van den Bemd
Robbs Award – Performance & Fair Play: Ernest Gordon
Hudson/Bidios – Most Valuable Player: Jesse Peacocke
Milward Shield – Most Promising: Freddie Durant
Wilfred Neil Trophy – Sportsmanship: Cade Skerman
James Sweetman Award – Performance & Skill: Jack Bourke
Braveheart Award – Courage, Determination & Perseverance: Kieran O’Brien
Snowden Family Award – True Grit: Ollie Jackson
Wāhine Toa – Best Female Player: Georgia Walker
Southern Bears Rep Team
Our Raglan kids once again made us proud in the Southern Bears Rep Rugby Team this season:
Freddie Durant
Cade Skerman
Jack Bourke
Johannes Windust
Orin Bennett
Anthony Fyalka
Georgia Walker
