BILL MEEK MEMORIAL CLUB WEEKEND

Friday Night Squash Relay Competition
No Mercantile, instead we celebrated the Friday night of our Club Weekend with a fun team relay competition. Twelve teams entered and they all had so much fun on the courts. Matches lasted for 21 minutes, with each member of a team playing for 7 minutes. So no breaks - 2 players come off, the next 2 go on and straight into it! Wigs, batons, tutu's and tool belts didn't make it any easier, but it was hard to hear the score over all the laughter. It was a great night. Congratulations to all the winners!

Most Unexpected Win Meekletic
Best Team Dress Up The Minions
Best Shot of the Night Sam Luka
"Bill Meek Spirit Award" Most Spirited Team Benchwarmers
2025 Bill Meek Memorial Squash Competition Champions Tin Hitters

Junior Rugby
Saturday came with quite a bit of rain, but that didn't stop the juniors who came to play at Bayleys Athletic Park. A huge thank you to YMP and St. Joseph's School for joining us during Club Weekend. The kids played some great games and provided some complimentary belly slides in the mud! We finished off with special Bill Meek Memorial Club Weekend Certificates and prizes for all POD's. Results:

Rippa
Rippa White (11) vs YMP Rascals (12)
Rippa Black (win by default) vs YMP Young Guns
Rippa Stripes (win by default) vs St. Joseph's School
Players Of The Day for Athletic: Georgia McCabe, Nehe Story-Symes & Brooke Monk
Players Of The Day for visitors: Johannes De Kock (St. Joseph's School) & Qunni (YMP)

Junior
Athletic (11) vs St. Joseph's School (11)
Player Of The Day: Anaru
Players Of The Day for visitors: TBC

Primary
Athletic (16) vs St. Joseph's School (4)
Player Of The Day: Noah Powdrell
Players Of The Day for visitors: TBC

Senior Netball
Both teams had a double header for the Bill Meek Memorial Club Weekend. Oslers Bakery Athletic White played both Tapuae teams back to back in the gold grade. Under harsh weather conditions they were able to get their first win against Tapuae Ruataumata 27-16. Fresh for the court, Tapuae Ruahine played a physical game which white unfortunately lost 28-21.  Our women should be extremely proud of our efforts the past few weekends with back to back netball games. Their commitment to one another and positive attitudes are a testament to the spirit of the game and club culture.
Player of the day 3: Sarah Spicer, 2: Becky Donovan, 1: Amanda Carr.

Oslers Bakery Athletic Black also had a double header. First game against YMP Ake Ake Ake and won 14-6. Defence & mid-court worked hard to turn over ball. A fatigued team took the court for a second game with no subs against Mahia Mai Tawhiti. Black had found rhythm but experience on the Mahia side proved hard to beat. 24-11 to Mahia Mai Tawhiti.
Player of the game v YMP Ake Ake Ake 3: Libby Young 2: Georgia Wood, 1: Suzy Chrystal.
Player of the game v Mahia Mai Tawhiti 3: Claire Little 2: Georgia Broad 1: Georgia Wood.

Senior Rugby
Charteris Choppers Athletic Rugby took on YMP from Raupunga in cold, wet conditions for the Bill Meek Memorial Club Weekend. Athletic started strong, scoring early and putting pressure on YMP from the kickoff. Both teams had to grind through tough conditions, and defence was a big factor on both sides. Final score: 19–5 to Athletic. A solid team effort in testing weather, and a good, hard game that honoured the occasion well. Players of the day were Stephen Foley (3), Jonty Le Lievre (2) and James Steele (1).

Afterwards, in a warm and buzzy clubroom, Stephen Foley was awarded the Bill Meek Memorial Trophy for Senior Rugby POD, and Vaughan Goldsmith was awarded his blazer. Huge congratulations!

Senior Football
The Bill Meek Memorial Club Weekend arrived with challenging wet weather conditions on Saturday that favoured no side. Football had a bye in the Tairawhiti Division Two competition, so instead hosted game 1 of Veterans vs Rookies in the best of 3 series. Rookies started the game strong with momentum through quick play with rookie players Harvey Kavanagh and Raihania Edwards-Hammond, creating havoc for the Veterans backline. Keeper Mike Hardie made a strong save from a sharp shot at goal by Harvey Kavanagh. Rookies were relentless on attack finally cracking the score opener through Raihania Edwards-Hammond, Rookies 1-0. Veterans held off the first quarter trailing 1-0, the second quarter begun and again all momentum was with Athletic's Rookies, keeping the pressure on using their youth well and securing another goal through a brilliant play from Karan Singh, Rookies 2-0. The Veterans looked scrambled out there holding on for dear life in tough conditions and looking to have no answer. Karan Singh completed a brace before halftime taking the Rookies lead to a strong 3-0. The third quarter began and Veterans had nothing left to lose so went out firing, putting pressure on the Rookies backline. Libby Young and Marrit Kirkenier making strong attacks but the Rookies' Alyssa Anderson and Alyssa Deam holding them off well. Vets kept trying their luck, finally breaking through and getting their first goal right on the whistle through Mike Hardie securing their first goal, score 3-1. The fourth quarter began and a big momentum shift happened. The Veterans with their backs against the wall come out firing and, believe it or not, miracles do happen as Hira Campbell tricked the Rookies keeper by faking a shot causing him to dive early then scoring for the Veterans making it 3-2. Game back on! The Veterans showcased their experience of never giving up until that final whistle, Mike Hardie securing a brace for himself causing a tie between the two sides 3-3. All pressure now on the Rookies but they didn't give in, they kept the pressure on but to no prevail. Mike Hardie completed a second half hat-trick securing a 4-3 lead with only seconds remaining. A comeback completed as the final whistle was blown and game 1 going to the Veterans. QRS Athletic Football would like to thank everyone that participated and made the day such a success and loads of fun. Game 2 of the series to be confirmed at a later date. Players of the day:
Rookies - Harvey Kavanagh
Veterans - Mike Hardie

The Wairoa Athletic Sports Club committee would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped out during Club Weekend. It takes time and effort to put weekends like these together and make them such a success. Thank you to our committee and code delegates for organising the day. To Alyssa (Shnackd), Vaughan and Toby for providing and cooking delicious food all weekend. To Anahera and Annalise for managing the bar. And all players and parents who volunteered to help with the sausage sizzle, serving food and cleaning up. And a special mention goes out to our president who went out there to oversee the Athletic/YMP friendly. It's safe to say the weekend was a massive success and Bill would be proud!