Bay of Plenty Rugby honour Matt Te Pou and Graeme Moore

HONOURED: Left to right, Graeme Moore, Bay of Plenty Rugby president Phil Barnett and Matt Te Pou at the Bay of Plenty Rugby AGM. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Two special recipients have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to Bay of Plenty rugby.

At the union's annual general meeting on Wednesday night, Matt Te Pou was presented a life membership and Graeme Moore a distinguished service award. Te Pou has had a long involvement in rugby both coaching and administering the game. A prominent member of the Whakatane Marist Rugby and Sports Club, he has been an avid supporter and driving force behind Maori Rugby in the Bay of Plenty.

His contribution to coaching within the Bay of Plenty, NZ Maori rugby and for the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise was recognised in 2015 when Te Pou was awarded a New Year's honour for his service to rugby.

"It was a pleasant surprise in respect to the nomination and I think that is why I am so humbled by it, as the nomination came from the Rotorua clubs. I am a Bay person but I am located in the Eastern Bay, but it came from the Central Bay which means a lot," Te Pou said.

"It also means a lot to my family, for my children and my wife we are all very close to rugby and so it has been a big part of their life to. Like most of the other people here at the AGM we have all given a lot of time to the code, but the code has given back to us and that is why we do it. It is just so rewarding."

Moore is the record try scorer for Bay of Plenty and played 114 games for the union. He has provided more than 30 years of service to the Bay of Plenty Rugby community. He has been heavily involved in administering and coaching the game within the Western Bay of Plenty.

Moore is a Life Member and current committee member of the Tauranga Sports Club. He was a key member in the formation of Tauranga Sports Club after the amalgamation of the Otumoetai Cadets and Tauranga Old Boys.

Moore thanked the support he has received from the Tauranga Sports Club.

"My thanks go to Tauranga Sports Club for their nomination and the clubs of the Western Bay of Plenty Sub Union for their unanimous support.

"In receiving this honour I remember all of my Bay of Plenty teammates and the kids I have helped along the way. The administrators, referees and coaches at all levels who I have worked with over the years and who enable our game to be played through the Bay of Plenty."

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers says the contribution these two recipients have made to rugby in the Bay of Plenty is outstanding.

"These awards are just a small token of our appreciation for their contribution to our game. It is through the support we receive from individuals such as Matt and Graeme that allow us to continue to grow, invest and develop the game we love across the Bay of Plenty."

Matt Te Pou: Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Life Member
1989 - 2017: Whakatane Marist Rugby and Sports Club member, coach, chairman and president
Eastern Bay of Plenty Rugby Sub Union committee member
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union national provincial coach
Bay of Plenty Maori coach
Chiefs Super Rugby assistant coach
North Island Prince of Wales team coach
Maori All Black coach
Participated in Bay of Plenty Rugby Union interview panels for appointing Bay of Plenty Rugby Steamers coach
Advisor/mentor to various Bay of Plenty coaches
Supporter of bringing first class rugby games to the Bay of Plenty region including coaching NZ Maori v Argentina, NZ Maori v England, NZ Maori v British and Irish Lions
2005: Received New Year's Honours in recognition for service to rugby

Graeme Moore: Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Distinguished Service Award
1965 - 1981: Represented Tauranga Sub Union
1967 - 1980: Represented Bay of Plenty (played 114 games, record try scorer)
1976: Vice captain of the Bay of Plenty team
1984 - 1989: President of Otumoetai Cadets Club
1989 - Current: Tauranga Sports committee member
Coached Saturday morning rugby for nearly thirty years
Tauranga Sports Life Member