Lest we forget.

On Friday a mixture of netball players from our two Athletic netball teams joined forces to compete in the annual ANZAC Tournament, held by Tahuri Mai at Standring Park, Wairoa. Playing a total of five games against teams from Gisborne and Wairoa, the final match was against newly resurrected Mahia who took the win. "Although we didn't come away with the win we had heaps of fun and it was a great way to start our season!" said Centre and netball manager Sam.

The rugby boys were finally back in action on Saturday after a two-week break. Travelling to Mahia, they took on a strong side and after a good fight the final score was 21-12 to Mahia. They've been training well and look forward to the next match.

Our football boys had a bye this weekend and enjoyed some time off.

​This Weekends game was nothing short of entertaining. Last Friday QRS Wairoa Athletic Football Team traveled up to Wainui, Gisborne to take on the Neighbourhood Pizzeria  Wainui Salty Dogs in the Tairawhiti Division 2 comp for 2025, the game was played in rather wet and windy conditions making it slippery for both sides, it was Wainui who got the scoreboard going by capitalizing on a save made by Athletic's Keeper Mark Anderson which just hit away the first initial shot at goal falling on the lap of a wainui player Wainui 1-0 Athletic kept the heads up and went to work with some good passing play between the midfield pairing of Josh Cowan and Ryan O'Sullivan who opened up the Wainui defense spreading the ball out wide to Rightback Luke Graves who put a cross in to find Ryan O'Sullivan who nicely put it in the net leveling the scores 1-1 Scoring in his first game back since earning his Blazer at last year's Prize-giving. Athletic had good momentum keeping the pressure on Wainui making a good play down the Right Harry Champion was able to add to the score by sending through a shot from the edge of the box Securing a 2-1 Athletic lead but Wainui didn't lose any hope and kept fighting back into the game but Athletics' Defensive efforts held strong with midfielder Ryan O'Sullivan making an epic save just unfortunately for Athletic it deflected into an open Wainui player who capitalized tying the scores 2-2 to end the half.
The second half began with Athletic under the pump from Wainui's relentless attacking display managing to keep momentum going from the 1st half, again Athletics' backline stood strong but just under the wet conditions made it hard for everyone to control the ball after multiple saves Wainui was able to clean up another 2 goals taking a strong hold of the game making it 4-2 with only half n hour left to play Athletics' subs made an impact immediately putting pressure on Wainui to get ourselves back in the game. Captain Ben Blake making a run up the right hand side of the field put through a cross which seemed like it was never going to come down having Wainui believe it gone out but super sub Jonny Hardie put his toe on the end of it, in some sort of karate style kick and put it in the back of the net making Wainui keeper question how that happened. Athletic 3 Wainui 4. One goal down, game back on and Athletic had grabbed momentum back within five minutes Centerback Jason Smith had put a clearing kick over the Wainui backline to put super sub Jonny Hardie on goal again Athletic 4 Wainui 4. Both sides shocked about how this game is unfolding in miserable wet conditions. With only 8 long minutes to go before full-time both sides looked like a draw was nearing but Wainui had the last say, cleaning up another loose ball and capitalizing from it Wainui 5 Athletic 4 all hopes put back on Athletic to grab another one back, Athletic put the pressure back on Wainui with their keeper making numerous saves over a span of two minutes finally cleared the ball but found left back Raymond Hawley who made a break down the left and put through a great cross but unfortunately to no prevail the final whistle blew shattering the Athletic hopes of coming back, final score Wainui 5 QRS Wairoa Athletic 4.
​Although in defeat Athletic held their own with heaps of positives coming out of the game, and strong performances from players like Luke Graves, Harry Champion, Josh Cowan, Joe De Kock and Ryan O'Sullivan to name a few still look strong enough to make a strong push for the league. A few more trainings and team consistency should be a force to be reckoned with.
Player of the Day went to Jonny Hardie on his strong efforts and his 2 goals that got us back into the game.
Goals:
Ryan O'Sullivan
Harry Champion
Jonny Hardie X2
We also payed tribute with a moment of silence for the passing of Iain Gillies who was a great influence on football in Tarawhiti.  
Next weekend the boys take on Round 1 of the Chris Moore Knockout Cup. The draw to be confirmed.
A big shout out to all our Club sponsors. Have a happy and safe Easter everyone 

On the 12th of April 2025 QRS Wairoa Athletic Football Team hosted Ngatapa Silkies in their first home game of the year at Bayleys Athletic Park.
Athletic having come off a narrow defeat in round 1 facing  a confident Ngatapa Silkies team coming off a narrow win, Athletic wanting to turn things around were put under pressure early as the Silkes started off strong creating chances early on but Athletics Backline held strong and absorbed the pressure. Ngatapa were relentless with there high press defence forcing Athletic to often clear the ball out of danger. Athletic managed to gain the upper hand by  turning defence into attack by working together and caught Ngatapa off guard by Josh Cowan putting a brilliant through ball to Midfeild partner Tom Rowley-Westwood who had all the time in the world to slott it past the keeper Athletic 1 - 0 the half closed out with a further arm wrestle battle. Athletic holding on to their 1 - 0 Lead.
The second half began with Ngatapa having more hunger and more intensity to get themselves back into the game but returning centrebacks pairing of club legends Mike Hardie and Jason Smith reuniting in the backline for the first time in 3 years kept Athletic in the lead and Ngatapa asking questions of themselves of how to get past them. Athletic kept building strong play with their youth players having outstanding performances from K.C Morrell, Raihania Edwards-Hammond and making his Debut for the Athletic Football team Pablo Molina keeping Ngatapa on the back foot, which opened up chances for Josh Cowan to take his shot beautifully past the keeper Athletic 2-0 the battle continued but Athletic kept momentum by Raihania making a strong effort at a cross which made it hard for Ngatapas keeper slipping up and dropping into his own net Athletic 3-0, Ngatapa held strong and continued to throw everything they had but to no prevail, Athletic holding on to a strong first home game Victory 3-0 over Ngatapa Silkies.

Athletic have lots of positives going forward with standout performances from Mike Hardie, Jason Smith, Raymond Hawley, KC Morrell, Pablo Molina and Raihania Edwards-Hammond. Next weekend 19th of April Athletic travel up to Wainui to take on Neighborhood Pizzeria Wainui Salty Dogs and hope to continue with a strong performance on the road. 

This weekends Player of the Day goes to Raihania Edwards-Hammond another standout performance from the young lad.

Goals:
Tom Rowley-Westwood
Josh Cowan
OG Ngatapa Keeper

Big Thanks to all our Club Sponsors we appreciate them for all the help.