Celebrations all set to kick off

Taieri Rugby Football Club committee life member Brendon O’Brien (left) and chairman Peter Dyer...
Taieri Rugby Football Club committee life member Brendon O’Brien (left) and chairman Peter Dyer are looking forward to celebrating this Friday. PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSON
Taieri Rugby Football Club is ready to celebrate its 140th anniversary at King’s Birthday Weekend.

Chairman Peter Dyer said events at Peter Johnstone Park will begin on Friday, June 2, with a get-together at 6pm featuring guest speaker Brian Dagg, of Queenstown.

On Saturday, junior games will take place and at noon a group photo is planned.

On Saturday evening there is a meal and band plus a jersey auction.

Mr Dyer said more than 400 past and present players were expected to attend.

The club will be playing its neighbour Green Island for the Bezett Memorial Trophy on Saturday, games being played at 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

The Taieri Rugby Football Club had its beginnings in cricket.

In 1880 the Taieri Cricket Club bought six and a half acres (2.6ha) of land now known as Brooklands Park.

Two years later, in August 1882, the Otago Football Union was able to use the grounds for a rugby match between Otago and Canterbury, and in September a crowd of about 2000 gathered for a match between Otago and New South Wales.

In 1883 the Taieri Football Club was formed and the cricket club allowed games to be played on its grounds.

The first season began in April 1883 with a practice match between two XV teams.

The club colours were registered as maroon and navy blue jerseys with blue knickerbockers.

The first player to represent New Zealand was James Allan, in 1884.

Next to take on the black jersey was Peter Johnstone, who played 26 matches, including nine tests as an All Black, between 1949 and 1951.

Former Taieri players Arran Pene and John Timu also played for the All Blacks in 1993 and 1994.

Committee life member Brendon O’Brien said the club continued to thrive and it was proud to be the current holder of the Otago Rugby Football Union Gallaway Memorial Trophy.

simon.henderson@thestar.co.nz