Success of a club brings pride to community

Linwood Rugby Club values connection, culture and community – that is their key to success according to their RDO, Sam Jack.

“We keep our feet on the ground, and everyone is valued” Jack, “everyone is welcome, everyone is respected here at Linwood”.

Last year the Linwood Premier side was painfully close to reaching the heights of their last winning season in 1973, losing in the semis by one point. But 2024 has finally seen all their hard work, on and off the field, come to fruition.

“The momentum and support from our community was just phenomenal” said Jack, “we had Samoan singing from the grandstand, waiata on the field afterwards. It was a real display for who and what we stand for – our cultures and our families”.

With many dads in the squad, Jack said that throughout the season there coaching team “were conscious of them having time with their families, with the time away from home within the season”.

The sheer vastness of green in Rugby Park last weekend was largely a result of nine buses taking the supporters from the club rooms to watch their team play the final, including a double decker for the children. With players and supporters beginning their day together at their home club rooms, the atmosphere was already electric.

Amongst the supporters were players from the ’73 squad, including Ian Mallard and All Black winger Terry Mitchell, “that was pretty special,” said Jack.

Winning the Bascik Metro Premier final for the first time in 51 years “means the world to us, we are a really proud club” said Jack, “I’m sure the celebrations carried on for a few days”.