Uawa look to future

UAWA STAR: Uawa Sports Club’s MVP (most valuable player) in the under-9 section of the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival in Taupo was Jorjah Tuapawa (centre). She enjoyed “scoring tries and tackling”. Picture by Darryl Crawford

RUGBY

They’ll be back — and in greater numbers.

Not much slows Uawa Sports Club down. The champions of East Coast club rugby have an eye to the future. And that’s why they sent their under-9 team to the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival in Taupo.

“It was well worth the trip and we’ll be sending more teams next year,” Uawa chairman Darryl Crawford said.

“It’s great rugby for the development of junior players in an awesome atmosphere and a huge event to be part of.”

Uawa began their Pool B campaign with three losses: 20-5 to North Shore, 25-10 to Taupo and 15-10 to Eden.

They lost their first playoff game — in golden-point overtime — 25-20 to Grammar, but recorded their first win of the tournament, 25-5, against Johnsonville of Wellington in the second crossover game.

Uawa beat their opposition in Game 3 by default.

Uawa’s MVP (most valuable player) in Taupo was Jorjah Tuapawa, who thrived on “scoring tries and tackling” at the tournament.

Her u9s teammate Blaeq Kaitai enjoyed “playing different teams” from other parts of New Zealand and Puna Crawford of the Uawa u8s is on record as saying, “I want to play next year”.

Darryl Crawford and his committee see the value of not just the festival in Taupo, but developing young people all-round.

“It’s about more than rugby or sports. It’s about helping our club members and junior players lead healthier lifestyles. One of our main goals is to engage people and get out there with our kids to normalise active living.”