Action from Horowhenua-Kapiti club rugby last season.
Action from Horowhenua-Kapiti club rugby last season.
For the first time in history live images of Horowhenua-Kāpiti club rugby matches were beamed around the world complete with blow-by-blow commentary at the weekend.
Cameras were stationed at Levin Domain for the Ramsbotham Cup Premier Competition match between Levin College Old Boys and Shannon, a match Shannon won 27-26.
Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union has teamed with Beach FM 106.3 and Umbrella Multimedia to live stream senior club matches for the entire season.
The new initiative has snowballed thanks largely to a team fronted by Beach FM radio commentator Damian Collins.
Radio station Beach FM 106.3 is organising the commentary team which will be led by Collins, host of their Saturday morning sports programme The Kick-Off Sport Breakfast Show.
Collins said he was relishing the opportunity to showcase community rugby through multi-media.
"I have loved grassroots rugby my whole life," he said.
"From the kid playing in the sawdust to now, it is an absolute honour to broadcast the 2020 Ramsbotham Cup for the Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union community."
Collins, a man with many hats and also commentated live softball and basketball matches, hoped to invite high-profile guest commentators such as Ken Laban and Adam Julian to join in guest appearances.
Previously Collins had mostly commentated for radio using "the theatre of the mind", so was excited to be commentating live images.
The 37-year-old was busy doing as much homework as he could to build a knowledge base of teams, coaches and players ahead of the games.
Images from the Horowhenua-Kapiti club rugby final last year at Levin Domain.
The would stream live one match each Saturday, then one semifinal match leading into the competition final on August 15.
Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union chief executive Corey Kennett said he was rapt to have Umbrella Multimedia on board.
"We're looking forward to the exposure that this is going to give our club rugby competition," he said.
"Our community are going to be able to access these games from anywhere around the world and this is a big step forward for the promotion of our game."
Umbrella Multimedia is providing all the production facilities and crew and have teamed with new broadcaster Oriana TV to live stream the matches.
The games will also be live streamed on Beach FM and HKRU Facebook pages.
Facebook pages: HKRFU Group Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/groups/160323536313/ Oriana TV www.facebook.com/OrianaTelevision/ Beach FM 106.3 https://www.facebook.com/BeachFM106.3/ Beach FM Sports www.facebook.com/beachfmsport/
SCOREBOARD :HKRFU Club Results – 20th June 2020. Ramsbotham Cup Premier Competition At Levin Domain: Shannon: 27 (Penalty try, I. Rauhihi, Z. Third, L. Broughton tries; A. Murphy con, pen) v Levin College Old Boys: 26 (H. Fonoti, L. Tovo, A. Morris, V. Tia tries; A. Taiapa 3 con). At Otaki Domain: Rahui: 13 (M. Cooper, T. Cook tries; T. Manga pen) v Paraparaumu: 12 (A. Baker, O. Luli tries; T. Barnsley con). At Waikanae Park: Toa: 33 v Waikanae: 12 (M. Jenkins, S. Stewart tries; C. Bond con).
Bill Muir Cup At Levin Domain: Levin College Old Boys: 51 v Shannon: 10 At Easton Park: Foxton: 31 v Waikanae: 24 At Otaki Domain: Rahui: 17 v Paraparaumu: 5
