• Puketapapa Roskill Sports Club gain affiliation with the Auckland Rugby Union.
• Affiliation news comes along with increases across Senior Club and 15-a-side Secondary Schools playing numbers in Auckland.
• Bernie McCahill and Brian Wilsher granted Life Membership.

Auckland Rugby acknowledges its communities’ valuable contribution and has its sights set on the future at the 139th Annual General Meeting.

Puketapapa Roskill Sports Club have been granted affiliation with the Auckland Rugby Union, and Bernie McCahill and Brian Wilsher have been welcomed as Life Members.

Auckland Rugby CEO Jarrod Bear praised the work of all rugby clubs in Auckland for their determination over the Covid period, especially Puketapapa Roskill Sports Club, for establishing themselves during this time.

“Having endured a challenging period for community sport, it is fantastic to see a new rugby club emerge. It further elevates the role of community sports and clubs providing a source of connection for communities across Auckland. On behalf of Auckland Rugby, we wish Puketapapa Roskill Sports Club the best for the future and congratulate them on the hard mahi they have put in to build their membership and gain affiliation. “

Puketapapa Roskill Sports Club fielded three teams in the 2022 season. The club is looking to add more teams to their stock for the 2023 Goodyear Club Rugby season. The affiliation now means the club can contribute to the future of the Auckland Club Rugby.

As 2022 ends, the news of a growing club community, a 12% increase in senior club players and a 3% increase in 15-a-side Secondary School players solidifies one of Auckland Rugby’s core values of innovating and growing the community game.

“It is vital that our clubs continue to be sustainable and relevant to their communities in a region as large and diverse as Tāmaki Makaurau, and Auckland Rugby is committed to providing the right resources to support our clubs” said Bear.

Auckland Rugby acknowledged legends of the union, with Bernie McCahill and Brian Wilsher accepting their Life Membership to the Auckland Rugby Union.

McCahill was an integral member of the Auckland NPC side through the 1980s. Along with several of his Marist Old Boys club-mates, the midfielder played 90 games for the Blue and White Hoops, being part of successful NPC campaigns and Ranfurly Shield tenures.

The St Peter’s College old boy made his All Black debut in 1987, playing 32 matches for his national side, attending two World Cups, and being a member of the winning 1987 World Cup team.

McCahill moved to coaching and governance following his playing years. Winning the Gallaher Shield as the Co-Coach of his beloved Auckland Marist Rugby Club, he was named a Life Member of the Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in 2012.

Brian Wilsher is a Life Member of Pakuranga United Rugby Club, former Chair of the Council of Delegates, Auckland Rugby Board Member, and Blues Director. Wilsher has been heavily involved in the Pakuranga United Rugby Club for over 30 years, coaching and managing various teams.

Brian has been a conducive influence on the governing and administration of the Auckland Rugby Union for over ten years, sitting on several subcommittees, all purely voluntary.

Wilsher has always been a lifetime supporter of Auckland Rugby and the Blues, recently backing the creation of a PU Development Coach Scholarship at the Blues to support the development of coaches within the Auckland region.