Arataki kept Kawerau scoreless in the Division Two final of the Baywide Premier on the outer field at ASB Baypark Stadium on Saturday, running out 20-0 winners to book their place in Division One next year.
The game, originally scheduled for 2.45pm, began at 1.30pm thanks to a late rescheduling to allow both teams a chance to watch the premier final.
The Arataki players' day together began much earlier than that though.
From sun up the corner of Links Avenue and Ascot Rd again came alive as the Arataki colours of red and black - emblazoned with the "All Day" slogan popularised by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrien Peterson, or the image of "Big" Mike Rawiri smiling wide - swarmed the house where the former president lived before he died in April.
Coach Billy Russell summed up why the side converged on the house for breakfast in the build-up to the final. "This is his house - we thought there was no better place to have it than here," said Russell.
"When he passed away they brought the body back here so the community could pay its respects. We thought to get the boys amped up and ready again, and getting the emotions flowing and focused, there was no better place.
"He held the club up when it was at its lowest low. It's obviously on a turn and we've just got to try to live up to his legacy, which really was like this.
"It was about family and opening our arms to everybody rather than sticking to a core group of players and people."
With plans to add surfing to the club's sports, it is clear there is a wider movement under way in Arataki.
"We're not so much a club, we are a community," said Russell.
"That's what he left behind when he passed and we are just trying to keep it going."
Russell said the fact the match was brought forward was a big boost for the side, as was the venue.
"It's a home away from home really. You can't ask for much more. It's a stone's throw from our field. There have been a few issues with the council and the lighting for our field this year so we have had to train there a few times, so that's a bonus.
"We know the field, it's in the same area. As long as we focus on what we need to do, we should be fine.
"When we found out the game was at 2.45pm we were a bit upset. I phoned up the Bay and asked them why when there was a spare spot there, and thankfully Yvonne Jarvis did everything she could possibly do to bring the game forward for us.
"We'd much prefer to see the championship on this side of the bridge than that side, so the Mount will have Arataki there.
"We've got a lot of close mates playing for the Mount who are Arataki born and bred, so we've got to get out of this division and some of the brothers may decide to come home."
Armed with a little bit of information from Reporoa and memories of last year's semifinal win against the same opposition, Arataki shut Kawerau out. Later, the Mount failed to make the most of their chances and fell to a hard-running, tight Tauranga Sports side.