BILL MEEK MEMORIAL CLUB WEEKEND 2026

Friday Night Squash Relay Competition
Squash is a quick and explosive game. Add a relay component to the mix where you don't have to wait for your opponent to enter the court to start playing, and what you get is a hilariously hectic night of fun! Quick serves, tricky but great outfits, blocking entry to the court, hiding the ball (or adding a second ball) - some of this stuff you can't make up. Our players went all in! Thank you to everyone who entered and dressed up but more importantly, to everyone who played their hearts out in true Athletic spirit. And as always, a massive thank you to Alyssa Deam for cooking her delicious burgers, and our volunteers for ensuring the night ran smoothly. Check out the results below.

Best Team Dress Up
Fred, Fred & Fred - Tim Brownlie, Cody Mackinder, Jackson Brownlie

Most Unexpected Win
DTM - Donald Carroll, Tara Carroll, Milky Hamblyn

Best Shot of the Night
Michael Pickering (of team Salt, Pepper & Spice)

Bill Meek Spirit Award
Sam Luka (of team Happy and Gilmores)

Runners Up
Backbones - Ben Blake, Tim Howard, Will Taylor

​CHAMPIONS
Neapolitan - Chapman Kutia, Phil Jane, Kelsey Kauri (pictured below)

Junior Rugby
Who doesn't love a sausage sizzle on a sunny day?! Oh, and some great rugby matches of course. It was so lovely having everyone play at Bayleys Athletic Park, thank you to all the travelling teams for visiting us. A mixed bag of results across our teams with some wins, losses and a draw. All players earning a sausage and drink after giving it everything on the field. Thanks to the Junior Code Delegate and our volunteers for organising a great morning! Here's the scores:

Rippa
Athletic Black (11) vs St Joseph School (7)
Athletic White (7) vs Te Mahia School (10)
Athletic Stripes (7) vs Wairoa Primary School (7)

Junior
Athletic Storm (14) vs Nuhaka (4)
Athletic Warriors (6) vs Wairoa Primary School (8)

Primary
Athletic vs Wairoa Primary School

Pictured below: Tawhara Akurangi (Tuhara Harvest Athletic Storm) receiving Player of the Day during Club Weekend.

Senior Netball
Osler's Bakery & Cafe Athletic Black headed into round 3 low on numbers, with a few players out due to injury. With Athletic White playing at the same time, they were unable to find any extra subs. The 8 players took to the courts knowing it was going to be tough, mentally and physically. A rough and ready Panthers team was waiting, ready for the challenge. It was goal for goal most of the game, high intensity and no breaks. Maddy Taylor taking a lot of the pressure, and rising to the challenge, filling in at Centre for the majority of the game. Defence was working tirelessly, both on defence and attack. Attack kept things steady with Angel Hammond in Wing Attack steering the ship, precise passing and a high work load, the goals kept ticking over. Going into the 4th quarter things were still even, neither team losing ball, all we needed was one turn over. The moment came with Jess Crawford getting a very important defensive rebound towards the end of the quarter. The team was able to successfully bring the ball down and score, with our centre pass to follow. The girls held on to the lead and won the game 27-29. A few tired girls but we are all stoked to get our first win on the board for 2026, and during Club Weekend no less!

Bill Meek Memorial Club Weekend saw Osler's Bakery & Cafe Athletic White take on Nuhaka Misfitz in a fast-paced and competitive match, going down 21–27. The girls came out strong and held the lead for most of the game, but unfortunately ran out of puff in the final quarter. Defensively, the team worked hard all over the court, with Libby and Sophie making some great defensive plays and applying plenty of pressure. A special mention also goes to our shooters, who worked tirelessly in the circle and held their own against tough defence throughout the game. Player of the Day went to Sky Cox, who had an outstanding game before unfortunately picked up an injury. We hope to see her back out on court next week.

Pictured below: Osler's Bakery & Cafe Athletic Black & Athletic White during Club Weekend.

Senior Rugby
Only our second home game this season during Bill Meek Memorial Club Weekend, hosting Ngatapa. Charteris Chopper Athletic Rugby started slowly against a strong Ngatapa side. Ngatapa opened the scoring early with a penalty conversion before Athletic found some momentum and began creating opportunities with ball in hand. A strong attacking play led to Sid Drinkrow crossing for Athletic’s first try. At halftime, Ngatapa held a narrow 11–8 lead. The second half was a tough tussle, with both teams battling hard to gain the advantage. Ngatapa eventually gained the upper hand, although Athletic continued to fight back. Midway through the second half, Will Taylor scored for Athletic, with Wade Perrett adding the conversion. Despite a determined effort from Athletic, Ngatapa came away with the 28–20 victory. Joe Hansen was named Player of the Match after another outstanding performance for Athletic.

Pictured Below: Player of the Day Joe Hansen receiving the Bill Meek Memorial Cup from Club President Michael Pickering.

Senior Football
Round 7 was held at Athletic's Club Weekend. QRS Athletic Football hosted Shockers Gold on an absolute stunning day for a football match. Shockers showed why they've been one of the top teams in Gisborne's Tairāwhiti Division One competition by setting the tone early, scoring 3 first half goals. Athletic proved to be tough to get past at times and managed to get a goal back just before halftime. Keeper Mark Anderson cleared the ball after a great save, getting it to Tom Rowley-Westwood, who found Ahmed Hamada to net his first ever goal for the club. Halftime score: 1-3 to Shockers Gold. The second half started and Athletic looked to keep momentum going, starting strong by scoring first from a brilliant throw in by Andrew Langdon who found captain Ben Blake, who turned and passed to Mike Hardie who screamed it past the Shockers keeper in the bottom left of the goal. Shockers were no easy feat, proving their experience in 1st Division footy, managing to score a further 3 unanswered points off broken play. Athletic firing straight back however and scoring through the boot of Jared Olsen, making it 3-6. Then, Athletic earned a corner which captain Ben Blake took and Mike Hardie, hungry for a second goal, managed a good connection, only for the cross bar to save it for Shockers. Another corner taken by Andrew Langdon who, in his words "absolutely shanked it", caught everyone napping while Jared Olsen put it in the net for Athletic's 4th and final goal.  The win went to Shockers Gold with a 4-6 score. Player of the day: Grant Young. Goal scorers: Ahmed Hamada, Mike Hardie, and Jared Olsen (x 2). Jared, in just his second game back after a 20-year hiatus, has taken the lead in Athletic's top goal scorers for 2026.

Big thanks goes to everyone that helped make this weekend special for our club. Big shout out to our sponsors and to Craig Ward for reffing the match. Without all of you this wouldn't be possible. Join us back at Bayleys Athletic Park this Saturday as we host Wainui Sharks. 

Pictured below: QRS Athletic Football during Club Weekend.

A Final Word
A big, massive, loud, heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all our amazing sponsors! Without your support, a Club Weekend like we just had would not be possible. Show these amazing people some love:
Bayleys Gisborne & Wairoa, Charteris Choppers, QRS, Osler's Bakery & Cafe, Tuhara Harvest, Okare Station, Cricklewood Angus, Pickering Cabinet Makers, Wairoa Farm Vets, Farmers Air, and Kiwi Transport.

Another big, massive, loud, heartfelt THANK YOU to Alyssa & Lara Deam, Vaughan McNabb, Andy Hardie and Toby Taylor for cooking us delicious kai. And to our players who supplied sides, desserts and helped to clean up and do the dishes (always fun...). To our stellar bar staff Katie Cornwall and Sam Luka for looking out for us. And to those who generously donated towards our raffles over the weekend.

And a final big, massive, loud, heartfelt THANK YOU to our committee: you are the best! Always working quietly behind the scenes, giving their time and energy to keep this club moving forward, making sure we get to celebrate together during special weekends like our annual Club Weekend. We look forward to doing it all again next year!