Waikanae senior A team celebrate after winning the 2007 Horowhenua Kapiti club final against Rahui

ONE OF the Waikanae Rugby Club’s biggest annual occasions grew from a double tragedy, when two club stalwarts died of brain tumours within weeks of one another.

But while success has come easily in recent times, the club’s fortunes have not always been bright, says committee member John “Bomb” Thompson.

For a long time, Waikanae was considered unfashionable as it languished in the Senior B competition. It struggled to field more than two teams, with many of its top players defecting to Paraparaumu in search of better rugby.

“I wouldn’t say Waikanae was a laughing stock, but no one gave us much respect,” says Thompson. “All our adversaries treated us with disdain. Back then, everyone walked around in jandals and it was laid-back. People just turned up to play some rugby. That was it.”

The turning point came in 2002 when the club decided to contest the Senior A competition after winning the B grade in 2000 and 2001.

The decision was motivated by a strong desire to prove the club’s detractors wrong and show it could be a force.

Waikanae did that, winning the championship in its first season in the top flight. “Everything we’ve touched has really turned to gold since then,” says Thompson.

From left: Club legend and centurion Ashley Drake and committee member John Thompson

Much of Waikanae’s renaissance, however, can be attributed to the tireless efforts of two men, life member Chris Howland – who has given 35 years service in various capacities and kept the club running during those dark days – and current president Richard Uren.

Uren is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and has done everything from coaching and managing teams to running the bar and organising food on game day. His hands-on approach and lead-by-example attitude epitomises the ethos of the club, says Thompson.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him. He does everything and the little bit he doesn’t do, he stirs us up to want to do it.

“He’s the heart and soul of the place. You admire the guy because he’s working so hard that you want to do it as well.”

Hard work, unity, winning and a strong sense of community are important qualities that form Waikanae’s fabric and identity

“The senior team drives for perfection and the committee drives everybody to get every ounce out of the club that we possibly can.

“The backbone is the small, tight family unit. We’re very small on numbers, but big on ideas, pride and winning.

“I know every club wants to win, but that is a burning passion here. We like to be very competitive.”

Coaching co-ordinator David Julius says loyalty is another of the club’s characteristics, one which has been a key to its success.

“Another thing that is quite strong is a lot of the players have played junior rugby for Waikanae and have kept progressing through,” says the man known as “Juice.”

Thompson agrees with Julius’ assessment: “This club has been built by guys who have come up through the ranks.”

Like many clubs, Waikanae has its own special traditions, too.

For instance, players in the Senior A side must play 50 matches before they receive their blazers (most clubs go for much lower numbers, like just a dozen).

“They’re like gold here,” says Thompson. “The guys really have to earn them. When we first thought about it, we said it’s not going to be a giveaway. It’s got to be special, and we’ve had a lot of guys who have stayed around because of that.”

Club legend and centurion Ashley Drake reckons the biggest date on the calendar is the local derby with Paraparaumu, which is very physical and draws huge crowds to the Waikanae Domain.

“Everyone rises and it is generally quite a good, close encounter,” he says. “There used to be a lot of scraps, but tensions have come down a little bit.”

Waikanae has dominated its rivals in recent seasons, spanking Paraparaumu 43-7 in this year’s final to avenge the 2006 defeat, toast the club’s 90th anniversary and cap off an unbeaten season.

Thompson says plans to extend the clubrooms are under way, while the club is confidently eyeing its fourth consecutive championship next season.

“I want a dynasty here,” he says. “We don’t want to be just a rugby club, but one with a difference. I can’t see why Waikanae can’t dominate for donkey’s years.”

Having overcome such great odds, and with an Under 21, 80/80s, Women’s and 14 junior sides wearing the club’s colours on Saturday, Waikanae is well on track to doing just that.

GREATEST MOMENT

The 2002 season was a turning point for Waikanae, as it showed the club was the real deal and set the foundation for its future success.

Waikanae had won back-to-back Senior B finals in 2000 and 2001 and decided to make the step up to the next level. It showed it could compete, upsetting defending champions Levin Wanderers in its first top flight game.

In the final, played at the Levin Domain, a penalty on fulltime by Sonny McBride allowed Waikanae to pip Toa 13-11.

“We defended our line for more half the game, but we managed to hold them out,” says club centurion Ashley Drake. “We showed good character, and fortunately our kick went over.”

The celebrations lasted into the following week.

“I went to work on Monday and they’d already started up again at someone else’s house, so off we went around there. That was another all-nighter.”

CLUB LEGEND: ASHLEY DRAKE

The well-liked Horowhenua Kapiti and Cook Island sevens rep has Waikanae running through his veins.

Drake (right) joined the club when he was a wee nipper and has played more than a century of matches for the Senior A side, sharing in all four of its championship wins.

Although he had a short stint with Paraparaumu, Drake kept his promise he would return to the club if it moved up to the senior A grade.

It is that loyalty which makes him a legend, says committee member John Thompson.

“He’s just devoted himself to this club,” he says. “You can give Ash a call and ask if he could help with something and he would be there. He lives, breathes and dies this club, and it is people like Ash who make me do the things I do.”

Drake says it is an honour to receive the accolade: “It gives me goose bumps, and it’s pretty humbling.”

Lee Stace wrote this story for Rugby News, which gave it the spread shown below: