ONE WEEK TO GO – RAKAIA RUGBY CELEBRATES 150 YEARS

With just one week to go until the Rakaia Rugby Club 150th Jubilee, we look forward to welcoming players, supporters and friends back to celebrate 150 years of rugby and community. The weekend will reflect our theme Past – Present – Future as we reconnect, celebrate and look ahead together.

Below is a reminder of the key events and times for the Jubilee weekend.

FRIDAY 17 APRIL - WELCOME & REUNION EVENING

Rakaia Rugby Clubrooms | Dress Code: Smart Casual

A relaxed evening to reconnect with teammates, friends and supporters as the Jubilee weekend begins.  (Registered guests only – 18+ event)

5:30pm – Registrations open & bar open
7:00pm – Official Welcome
7:15pm – Continuous Supper served

11:30pm – Last drinks
12:00am – Close

SATURDAY 18 APRIL - CLUB DAY 📍 RAKAIA DOMAIN

Saturday is a family-friendly day celebrating rugby across all grades and generations of the club, with everyone welcome to come along to the Domain and enjoy the day.

Jubilee Photo Schedule

Please assemble at the photo area 15 minutes before your scheduled photograph time.

11:00am – 2026 JAB Teams
11:15am – 2026 Women’s Team
11:30am – 2026 Senior B Team
12:00pm –2026 Senior Team (Jubilee Jerseys)

12:15pm – Vicennial Photo 2000–2025
12:30pm – Vicennial Photo 1980–1999
12:45pm – Vicennial Photo 1960–1979
1:00pm – Vicennial Photo 1940–1959

Jubilee Rugby Games

11.30am             JAB Teams

12.30pm             Women’s Hoodfields Contracting Rakaia vs Celtic

12.30pm             Senior B Hoodfields Contracting Rakaia vs Methven

2:00pm               Senior Hoodfields Contracting Rakaia vs Methven

SATURDAY EVENING - 150TH JUBILEE BANQUET ( JUBILEE MARQUEE – RAKAIA DOMAIN)

Dress Code: Semi-Formal ((Registered guests – 18+ event)

5:30pm – Bar Opens
6:30pm – Guests seated
6:45pm – Pōwhiri
7:00pm – Welcome & Official Speeches

7.30pm – Dinner served

8.30pm – Guest Speaker - David Kirk

9.00pm - Jubilee Jersey Auction

10.00pm- Banquet Concludes

11.30pm – Bar Closes

The evening will be hosted by MC Lana Cochrane Searle (More FM DJ and Rakaia Women’s player). We are honoured to welcome Bill Bush MNZM, former All Black prop and respected figure in Māori rugby, who will open the evening with a pōwhiri, formally welcoming guests to the Jubilee Banquet. Our Guest Speaker, David Kirk MBE, former All Blacks Captain and current New Zealand Rugby Chairman, will then share his reflections on rugby, leadership and the enduring values of the game.

JUBILEE PLAYERS JERSEY AUCTION

As part of the Saturday night Banquet, we will hold a special auction of a commemorative 150th Jubilee Players Rugby Jersey. Created especially to mark the club’s 150-year milestone, the jersey will be worn by the Senior Team in the Jubilee match earlier in the day, making it a genuine collector’s item. It will only be available through the Jubilee auction, offering a unique opportunity to secure a special piece of Rakaia Rugby history while supporting the club.

SUNDAY 19 APRIL - JUBILEE FAREWELL BRUNCH & JUNIOR SKILLS - RAKAIA RUGBY CLUBROOMS

11:00am – JAB Ball Skills Session
11:15am – Planting of the Jubilee Tree
11:00am – 2:00pm – Jubilee Continuous Brunch

Junior players are invited to take part in a ball skills session led by members of the Senior Team, followed by a relaxed brunch for registrants to finish the Jubilee weekend.

JUBILEE COMMEMORATIVE MERCHANDISE

A range of 150th Jubilee commemorative merchandise is available, including the 150th Jubilee Supporters Rugby Jersey and Jubilee Tie, along with polo shirts, hoodies, puffer vests, caps, beanies and bucket hats. Merchandise will be available during the Jubilee weekend, with limited quantities on selected items, so be sure to grab yours while stocks last.  Online orders are available on www.rakaiarugby.co.nz

150TH JUBILEE COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Rakaia Rugby history. A limited number of 150th Jubilee commemorative booklets have been printed and will be available for purchase during the Jubilee weekend for $20.00.

🚌 JUBILEE TRANSPORT – SATURDAY NIGHT

Transport is available for guests attending the Saturday Jubilee Banquet.  Seats for these buses must be booked by Sunday 12 April, 10pm.

Ashburton Service
• Pickup – 5:00pm Ashburton Hotel Carpark
• Return – 10:15pm or 11:30pm

Rakaia Area Service
• Options will be available after 10pm.

👉 Please register for transport using the link below:  Rakaia Rugby Club - Jubilee Buses

For further information about transport please contact Dean Ford – Transport Convenor on 021-120-8733.

If you have any questions in the lead-up to the Jubilee weekend, please feel free to contact any  of our Jubilee or Club Committee members.

We look forward to welcoming you back as we celebrate 150 years of Rakaia Rugby — past, present and future.