Chairpersons Update
Well, doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun! Here we are at the last week of rugby before Finals. This week is also family day, and as I keep saying, our Tukapa Family is pretty special. So be sure to come up to Tukapa and bring the whole family. We have the players running out with their kids and a bouncy castle set up. We will also have some junior rugby played at halftime.
Something else pretty special that I have been working on the last few weeks is Tukapa collector cards of our Premier Men, Legends of Tukapa, and Centurions (will be adding to these with TOA cards). These cards are for sale as a random pack of 10 at the upstairs bar for $5 a pack. Also, we have Tukapa Premier Posters both men’s and women’s, also $5 each at the top bar.
REMEMBER ALL TUKAPA SENIOR RUGBY IS ON FRIDAY AT SANDERS PARK
Follow the link to view or download this weekends Game Day Program
Livestream
This week our Live Stream team has come down with our friend Covid so we will be running a stream but it will be old school Scotty version, Cheers to Doug for stepping in on the camera and our Voices of Tukapa should still be all go Joe & Sam
Tukapa TOA vs Spotswood Utd 12.30 pm
Tukapa Premier vs Spotswood Utd 2:45pm, Pre-game buildup 2:35pm
Those few who can't make to the game this weekend can watch the Livestream on https://www.youtube.com/@taranakirugby1885
OUR TUKAPA FAMILY
So, as I said, this week is family day, and to celebrate all our Tukapa families, I asked a very well-known Tukapa Family member, Jan, to give me a write-up on the Holdt family. Known for their unwavering support and deep-rooted connection to our club, the Holdt family exemplifies the spirit of camaraderie and passion that defines our Tukapa community.
Every generation of New Zealand born Holdt’s have played for Tukapa with their association dating back to the pre-WW2 years. Walter joined the Club in 1932 and Syd joined him two years later with Roy following his big brothers' footsteps joining in 1945. Syd was honoured by the Tukapa Club in 1954 when he was made a Life Member and, after what can best be described as incredibly dedicated service to the Taranaki Rugby Union, was awarded life membership of the TRFU in 1987.
Since that time each family group has pulled on the blue and whites. Walter’s three sons Brian, Dennis and Alan all played for the Club. Brian played through the grades gaining places in the Taranaki Colts and Taranaki B teams and in 1966 he added another string to his bow by joining the management committee before becoming Treasurer in 1971, serving in that role for nine years. His wife Colleen was an active member of the Ladies Committee.
Roy's involvement started in the 6th Grade in 1945, attaining Taranaki rep honours in the 1st Juniors and having played through the grades. Being self-employed meant an enforced early retirement from the game for Roy but he continued in his support of the Club and his wife Lois was a constant member of the Ladies Committee.
Roy’s children have continued the family's involvement with both Wayne and Kelvin joining as midgets. In 1969 Wayne, who at the time was being coached by Jack Gilbert, gained a place in the Taranaki Primary School team. Wayne played through a number of senior grades during his adult rugby playing years. Wayne then coached Tukapa teams from Under 17 level to the Senior Development team. Wayne and Dianne were the Midget convenors for many years while their boys were playing in the midget grades. Wayne’s wife Dianne was one of the group of girlfriends/wives to start making meals on a Saturday night for the Club. She was also a member of the famous Tukapa Playgroup and these days is regularly on the sidelines watching the family play.
Roy’s daughter, Jan, is currently on the Executive Committee and is Club Administrator of the Tukapa Rugby Club and served two years as Chairperson in 2017-2018. Jan spent many years playing for the Tukapa Netball Club and foolishly took to the rugby field when a visiting San Diego women’s rugby side toured NZ many years ago – an experience never repeated!
Then yet another generation joined the club – Syd’s grandchildren Grant and Campbell, Walter’s grandchildren Mark and Nicky, and son in law Dean Spicer (husband of Nicky) and Roy’s grandchildren Jason, Simon, Chris and Vaughan proudly sported the blue and white colours as the Holdt tradition continued.
Grant played for the club from 1989 – 1993 playing under 21 and Senior 3rds. Grant met Paula in 1990 when Paula was playing for the Tukapa Netball Club. Paula went on to become a member of the netball committee, holding the roles of secretary and then president for several years as well as playing and coaching. Grant and Paula remain strong club supporters to this day. They have three sons, Daniel, Blair and Callum who all played midget rugby for Tukapa. Blair played until 12th grade and was part of the unbeaten Taranaki champion team coached by Grant in 2007. Blair went on to play in the Ross Brown tournament and then be selected in the Taranaki Under 13 team the same year. Blair and Callum continue their involvement today as part of the Senior 3rds team.
Mark played his rugby for Tukapa starting off with junior rugby, then onto the colts before progressing through to the senior A’s and B’s in the late 90’s.
Nicky played netball for Tukapa for a number of years later standing on the sidelines supporting Dean, then their children Jack and Olly.
Dean joined the Tukapa senior ranks in 1997 after shifting from Wairarapa. Dean played for, and then managed, the seniors over the next few seasons as well as coaching a number of the Tukapa schoolboy teams, and later managing the senior B’s.
Jason left NPBHS and played in the Senior A team before heading to Wellington for three years. He also played in Taranaki 20’s and Taranaki 7’s. On his return he played for Senior A’s and Senior B’s and was part of the 2011 Championship team. When Jason started his own heat pump business he took up the role of Assistant coach for the Senior B’s. He’s taken the field from time to time since then with the Senior 3rds but has now decided his boots are retired.
Simon played for the Under 20’s upon leaving NPBHS and then progressed to the Senior B team which he captained for a few years and was often called onto the Senior A reserve bench. Simon was part of the 2011 Senior A Championship team. He continues to play Senior 3rds today and is this year’s team captain.
And now a new generation are proudly wearing their blue and whites with Blair and wife Kendra’s children Harry and Noah playing junior rugby and Simon’s son Wilde also playing his first year of junior rugby (with Dad Simon coaching). Jason’s son Hudson will be next!
Jan Holdt
So Next time you are up at Tukapa having a drink there is a high chance you are either talking to a Holdt or only two degrees of separation from a Holdt!
OUR CHARITY OF THE WEEK
This week we have decided to give back to a charity and have picked Alzheimer’s Taranaki, Dyno and I have talked about ways we can support this charity and this is only a small step towards what we have planned going forward, so please put some lose change in your pocket then drop it in to our collection buckets which will be coming around the field.
Let us see you all at the Chook House tomorrow it's going to be a cracker day.
Blue and White for Life
Scotty Siffleet
Recent Comments