A hundred years, well a lot longer, except for a hiccup in the 1900’s.
The New Brighton Rugby Football Club was actually established in 1894. At some stage, the club went into recess, but from 1921 onwards it has enjoyed continuous membership. Hence the 100 year birthday begins from the later date.
And humdinger of a party is planned, a tour group of around 60 is coming all the way from the Whakarewawera Club in Rotorua to play golden oldies games on the Good Friday, and no doubt spend a bit of time around New Brighton over the Easter weekend, so make them feel welcome.
There was a time New Brighton residents wanted to build a wall between the coast and the rest of the city, in a metaphysical sense. Although some did seriously feel ‘outsiders’ should have a permit to enter New Brighton from the rest of Christchurch.
Hence here you will find the beginnings of the well known fierce parochialism existing today, and why nobody is surprised to find New Brighton once had its own council and mayor and did it’s own thing. A few oldies suggest if this independent state of the sea had continued, the area would not have been so badly neglected by the City Council until recently.
Today the suburb of New Brighton still maintains its distinct boundaries – a clearly defined and identifiable area along the coastal margin of the city limits, and many of the New Brighton Rugby players and club members/supporters have long family roots in the area, and those codgers who have lived here all their lives, will proudly announce the fact.
In 1994 – the current monogram & crest was included on the playing strip for the first time and sums New Brighton up:
• The lion represents rampant strength – strong hearted.
• The lower segment is part of the city coat of arms – a sheaf of wheat with pukekos either side.They are fiercely protective of their territory.
• “Kia Kaha” means “Be strong” –
Club Colours
• Black represents “unlimited”
• Gold of the wheat and/or the pingau found in the dunes. Pingau is a form of marram grass – a hardy plant whose deep roots spread out widely, holding the dunes together.
Combined, these stories demonstrate the 3 things the New Brighton Rugby Football Club stands for and believes in…
• Fiercely protective of local area and its people
• Unity – family
• Strength of character
The Easter birthday celebrations agenda is as follows. Register to participate, and you can choose which part of the activity you want to be involved in: Email:
wayne.turner1@xtra.co.nz
for more details
Friday 2 April 2021
1pm Golden Oldies game v Whakawerawera (Rotorua)
2.30pm Colts Premier v Linwood
Saturday 3 April 2021
From 9am Junior matches
1pm Premier Reserve v Linwood
2.45pm Premier v Linwood (Centenary Game)
Post-game Meet and Greet and LIVE band
Post Game
6pm Auction of 25 Centenary jerseys worn by Premiers
7pm Food provided for all attendees
8pm Live band (KRAKKAJACK)
Sunday 4 April 2021
Centenary Evening at Addington Raceway (Christian Cullen Lounge)
6pm Start
6:30pm Guests seated and welcome speech
6:45pm Buffet meal
8:00pm Guest Speaker Olympic gold medal winning rower Eric Murray
8:45pm DJ Dwight music
A hundred years, well a lot longer, except for a hiccup in the 1900’s.
The New Brighton Rugby Football Club was actually established in 1894. At some stage, the club went into recess, but from 1921 onwards it has enjoyed continuous membership. Hence the 100 year birthday begins from the later date.
And humdinger of a party is planned, a tour group of around 60 is coming all the way from the Whakarewawera Club in Rotorua to play golden oldies games on the Good Friday, and no doubt spend a bit of time around New Brighton over the Easter weekend, so make them feel welcome.
There was a time New Brighton residents wanted to build a wall between the coast and the rest of the city, in a metaphysical sense. Although some did seriously feel ‘outsiders’ should have a permit to enter New Brighton from the rest of Christchurch.
Hence here you will find the beginnings of the well known fierce parochialism existing today, and why nobody is surprised to find New Brighton once had its own council and mayor and did it’s own thing. A few oldies suggest if this independent state of the sea had continued, the area would not have been so badly neglected by the City Council until recently.
Today the suburb of New Brighton still maintains its distinct boundaries – a clearly defined and identifiable area along the coastal margin of the city limits, and many of the New Brighton Rugby players and club members/supporters have long family roots in the area, and those codgers who have lived here all their lives, will proudly announce the fact.
In 1994 – the current monogram & crest was included on the playing strip for the first time and sums New Brighton up:
• The lion represents rampant strength – strong hearted.
• The lower segment is part of the city coat of arms – a sheaf of wheat with pukekos either side.They are fiercely protective of their territory.
• “Kia Kaha” means “Be strong” –
Club Colours
• Black represents “unlimited”
• Gold of the wheat and/or the pingau found in the dunes. Pingau is a form of marram grass – a hardy plant whose deep roots spread out widely, holding the dunes together.
Combined, these stories demonstrate the 3 things the New Brighton Rugby Football Club stands for and believes in…
• Fiercely protective of local area and its people
• Unity – family
• Strength of character
The Easter birthday celebrations agenda is as follows. Register to participate, and you can choose which part of the activity you want to be involved in: Email:
wayne.turner1@xtra.co.nz
for more details
Friday 2 April 2021
1pm Golden Oldies game v Whakawerawera (Rotorua)
2.30pm Colts Premier v Linwood
Saturday 3 April 2021
From 9am Junior matches
1pm Premier Reserve v Linwood
2.45pm Premier v Linwood (Centenary Game)
Post-game Meet and Greet and LIVE band
Post Game
6pm Auction of 25 Centenary jerseys worn by Premiers
7pm Food provided for all attendees
8pm Live band (KRAKKAJACK)
Sunday 4 April 2021
Centenary Evening at Addington Raceway (Christian Cullen Lounge)
6pm Start
6:30pm Guests seated and welcome speech
6:45pm Buffet meal
8:00pm Guest Speaker Olympic gold medal winning rower Eric Murray
8:45pm DJ Dwight music