The special edition jerseys Wairarapa-Bush [seen here playing Poverty Bay] used in 2019 were to be auctioned at the launch of the Brian Lochore Foundation in conjunction with the union’s golden jubilee celebrations this year. PHOTO/FILE
CHRIS COGDALE
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RUGBY
The Wairarapa-Bush 50th anniversary celebrations are the latest local sports event to fall victim to the covid-19 restrictions.
The weekend of festivities to celebrate the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Union and Bush Rugby Union in 1971 was planned to coincide with the Heartland Championship match against East Coast on September 11.
Wairarapa-Bush chief executive Tony Hargood said the union’s board considered many options before reaching their decision.
“With the continued uncertainty of covid, and with no clear indication of when alert levels would decrease to level one, the board believed it was prudent to postpone the 50th celebrations to 2022,” he said.
“We share the disappointment with the whole of the rugby community, as we know many people were looking forward to the weekend.”
A highlight of the weekend was to be the Friday night dinner featuring the launch of the Brian Lochore Foundation, with the auction of the 2019 special edition Wai-Bush jerseys, which were emblazoned with Lochore’s All Black number 637, to commemorate his death that year.
Wai-Bush will refund all money paid for tickets, but Hargood said that for people who pre-ordered 1971 jerseys and caps, the original delivery dates are still valid.
FOOTBALL
Capital Football are anticipating a resumption of their competitions on the weekend of September 11-12, if covid-19 level two restrictions are in place.
That would have the Wairarapa Cup knockout competition resume at the semifinals stage, as well as the Wairarapa Women’s League.
However, the final round of Central League is not scheduled to be played until September 18.
Trust House Wairarapa United’s last game is an away fixture with Lower Hutt City. Wairarapa division one champions Masterton Athletic are also scheduled to play off for a place in Capital Four on September 18.
HOCKEY
Wairarapa’s return to the senior representative stage has been delayed until November.
Wairarapa were drawn in the second division of both men’s and women’s competitions scheduled to start in Tauranga on September 12 and to run for a week.
NZ Hockey general manager community and events Ken Maplesden said the postponement was the best possible course of action “given the uncertainty which remains around changing alert levels, and the need to prioritise a safe return to hockey”.
The tournament will still be held in Tauranga from November 14-20 and will follow the same format.
