It was a nothing more than a thought five years ago, but after much hard work, the Stratford Rugby and Sports Club have made the dream of a memorabilia room a reality.
It was officially opened by Brian Jeffares, acting as chairman of the Taranaki Electricity Trust (TET), in a special ceremony on Saturday, in conjunction with the clubs Old Timers Day.
Life member of the club, Kevin Morresey, put in the majority of the hard yards to make the room a possibility.
He was concerned that much of the clubs history was stored in an office, in boxes and didn't want the historically significant photos and trophies ruined.
After receiving grants from the TET and the TSB Community Trust, a room was constructed out of redundant space at their Orlando Street premises.
"Work began last winter on the room and it has taken the past three months to compile and put the memorabilia on the walls. I would spend a couple of hours after work most days getting it ready," said Kevin.
The photos in the room date back to 1899, and there are walls dedicated to the Stratford Technical High School Old Boys Club, who amalgamated with Stratford in 1986, referees, St John's and of course, the clubs many years of grade rugby.
A special case encloses nearly one-hundred-year-old trophies and relics special to the club.
A portion of wall space has also been adorned with poppies, in remembrance of club players who fell during both World Wars.
After the official opening, club members were invited to peruse the room and some of the older amongst them could be heard muttering about forgotten glasses, but all who went through were suitably impressed with the compilation of the clubs history.
The chronological order of the room made it easy for members to find their playing years and the historical value in the photos and trophies were not lost on anyone.
Kevin is pleased with how well the room has been received, and hopes to see many more years immortalised on the memorabilia room walls, despite being very casual about the amount of time and effort he put in.
"I didn't make the history, I just put it on the wall," he said.
A brief history of Stratford Rugby
Compiled by Kevin Morresey
The first recorded game of rugby in the Stratford District was in 1889. The game was between Manganui and Waimate (later named Stratford) in Sergents paddock, south of Midhirst. The first competition was between Manganui, Waimate, Hawera, Clifton and Eltham. Stratford won its first Taranaki championship in the year 1901. Fearing a permanent rugby field may be built in Midhirst, a local hotelier offered free refreshments in return for forming a field in Stratford, now known as King Edward Park.
The first indoor training was in the Newton Kings Buliding (called the Horse Bazaar) on the corner of Fenton and Miranda Streets, now the site of the RSA. Players were known to have walked nine miles to rugby, then home again after a match.
A lot of Stratford history was lost in the borough council fire in 1912, and both World Wars had a huge effect on player numbers.
Surrounding teams from Toko, Midhirst, Pukenaghu, Cardiff and Celtic formed a junior grade. The gym relocated to its present site on Orlando Street in 1926. The land was leased from the Stratford Borough Council.
In 1946, the Stratford Technical High School Old Boys Rugby Club was established.
The Toko Seniors joined the Stratford Seniors in 1954, hence the programme STROKO.
In 1958, the sawdust floor was replaced with timber.
In 1966, the Stratford Rugby Club negotiated with the Stratford District Council to freehold the section and use the section to obtain a mortgage to finance the squash court construction.
Sponsorship began in 1980, and is now a very important part of the clubs survival.
On February 5 1981, a fire destroyed the south side of the gym. Scorch marks on the existing floor are still visible today. The gym was quickly rebuilt.
In 1986, after 40 years of opposition, Stratford Technical High School Old Boys joined with Stratford, bringing committee members and players alike.
The club celebrated its centennial year in 1989.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
Jockey Portia Matthews starts with a double win
It was two consecutive wins for the Central Districts-based jockey on Sunday.