Powerhouse OBM forward Rikki Terekia on the charge against Pirates in a Poverty Bay Premier club rugby game. OBM Gisborne sports club has announced it is closing its doors for the 2026 season.
Photo / Paul Rickard
Powerhouse OBM forward Rikki Terekia on the charge against Pirates in a Poverty Bay Premier club rugby game. OBM Gisborne sports club has announced it is closing its doors for the 2026 season.
Photo / Paul Rickard
As recently as February, the club was enthusiastic about the rugby season ahead, but struggles to get numbers resulted in this Facebook plea on March 6.
“Unfortunately, the OBM Premier team is facing a challenging, sad and uncertain time when it comes to being able to field a Premier side for the 2026 season.
“With such a rich history, strong culture, awesome clubrooms and a hard-working committee, this is the last thing we want to see happen.
“Due to a number of factors - players leaving the club, moving out of the region, or simply being unavailable this season — we are currently struggling for numbers.
“This is especially tough in the front row, but we are also short across the whole paddock. We need your help.
“If we can’t boost our numbers, we unfortunately won’t be able to field a team this season. Let’s do what we can to keep OBM Premier rugby alive for 2026.”
Then on Friday the 13th came: “It is with extremely heavy hearts that we write this post.
“As many of you are aware, we have been struggling for numbers across both rugby and netball this year.
“Unfortunately, after many discussions and careful consideration, the committee has had to make the very difficult decision to close the club for the 2026 season due to not having any senior rugby teams, junior rugby teams, or netball teams able to take the field.
“For over 30 years, OBM has been built on incredible memories, strong culture, lifelong friendships, and a community that many of us are very proud to be a part of. To reach this point is extremely saddening for everyone involved.
“We want to sincerely thank all of our loyal members, players, supporters, sponsors, and volunteers who have stood by OBM over the years. Your support has meant everything to this club.
“While this decision is incredibly tough, this is not the end of OBM. The club committee will be using this time to rebuild, replan and make positive changes around the club so we can come back stronger, refreshed, and ready for the 2027 season.
“We would also like to let everyone know that the clubrooms will still be available for hire for functions and events, so please keep in touch if you would like to use the facilities.
The club will not have teams competing in the senior and junior rugby this season, along with senior netball grades. Photo / Supplied
OBM club captain Tom Crosby said the club committee felt it had no choice but to go into “recess” for the next 12 months.
“We felt it would be in the best interests of the club and the players we still had left. It’s been a frustrating situation not only for the club, but for the coaches trying to put a team together.
“We wish our remaining players all the best and we encourage them to find other teams to be part of this year.
“We hope they will come back to OBM in 2027.”
Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chairman Hayden Green said the union had a new board and as part of that, it was resetting its focus and management strategy.
“A core reason for that is that we understand we are a union of clubs and going forward we will focus on working much more closely with our clubs to understand their challenges, to support them and ensure they are sustainable.
“Ultimately our clubs are our shareholders and we need to put them first.”
Tim Lister, the board’s council of clubs chairman, confirmed four teams for the premier competition - Tapuae, YMP, High School Old Boys and Ngatapa.
“The four-team competition will work with three rounds, each team playing each three times. We will have a semifinal and a final.
“All the current players for OBM we hope will go to other clubs, and that will strengthen the competition between the four remaining teams.”
