The Boars resurrect rugby league this weekend
This weekend sees the return of rugby league to Golden Bay after an 11-year break.
The Golden Bay Boars will play the Tahunanui Tigers at Takaka’s Recreation Park at 3.00pm tomorrow (Saturday).
The Boars, who have been in training for a few weeks, will put some young men having their first game of league alongside some of the gnarly survivors of the Boars’ last game in 1998.
Dave Gowland, an “original” Boar, has been instrumental in bringing about their renaissance.
“Josh Pope came up to me at a pool competition in the Upper Takaka club because someone had told him I knew something about league. He said he knew quite a few young blokes who wanted to play league so I told him if he got enough people together I’d try and organise something,” says Dave. “Some of us original Boars still reckon we can get through a game and we’ve discovered quite a few other leaguies in the Bay, so we’ve got quite an interesting team together. If everyone who’s been to our training runs turns up on the day we’ll be quite a good side.”
Josh was only vaguely aware of the Boars’ history, but he had been wanting to play league for quite a while. He had gone over the Hill to get a game in Under 16s.
Dave says that there is a chance league could take off again in the Bay if enough of the young players stay committed.
“We’ll see how we go against the Tigers on Saturday and then examine our options. We’ve got a few ideas about nine-a-side tournaments and hosting clubs from out of town. It’s all about numbers.”
Neil Wilson
