Tikipunga Football Club turns 50

From left, Sam Campbell, Blake Moorehouse and Atham Thompson in the ring.

Tikipunga Football Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with an anniversary dinner on Friday evening and fun and games on Saturday.

About 150 people and children took part in a range of activities, including indoor and outdoor games. Among reminiscences and memorabilia shared over the weekend were deeds and documents dating back to the founding members' earliest attempts to get the club up and running at Tikipunga Domain.

Founding member and one of the event's organisers, Mike Gibson said children's activities took up much of Saturday morning.

Sharing the happy occasion were the neighbouring club and people associated with other football clubs around Whāngarei.

In the afternoon Tikipunga senior side (some of them quite senior) lost a friendly match with the Wasps, a team made from several other clubs, then Tikipunga's premiers lost to a select Northland team.

None of that rained on Tiki's parade though, and nor did the weather. Northern Advocate photographer John Stone caught some of the action.

Mike Gibson takes on the opposition in a friendly match during the 50th celebrations.

David Moon is over the moon after getting a goal in the Hungerball ring.

Erin Steel, left, can only look on as Neil Homes scores a goal, while Kezia Singleton plans her own strategy.

Club manager Don McDonald got into the party mood.

Rebecca and her dad Mark Buckland from Onerahi Football Club went along to say congratulations.

Foundation members from 1968, Mary and Bill Gibson enjoy the milestone.

From left, Sam Campbell, Blake Moorehouse and Atham Thompson in the ring.