YOUR LOCAL RUGBY CLUB

Aaron Matenga and Mark Percy return again to coach the East Coast Premier side which managed to reach last year’s semi-ÿ nals before they were beaten by eventual competition winners Greytown.

Club president Ross Wakeling feels this was a good result, considering the club had a fair few injuries towards the end of the season.

At the start of this season, East Coast is experiencing a “purple patch” in players numbers, he says, with plenty of players for both the Premiers and the Reserves who this year are being coached by Ken Scott and T K Karaitiana.

Based at Whareama, 30 minutes east of Masterton, the East Coast club covers a large geographic area and has some of the most passionate supporters in the competition. East Coast doesn’t have the star players but it is always competitive and Ross expects this season to be no di° erent.

“We haven’t had many changes this year. But we have one or two new ones and it will be interesting to see where they slot in.”

East Coast is known for its open, ˛ owing game and “chucking the ball around,” says Ross.

The club is having its JAB muster next Saturday 30th April which is also the ÿ rst home game of its Premier side, with all junior rugby players and their families that want to play for East Coast invited. The club also has women’s hockey and netball teams, plus junior hockey.

“If you are interested in playing for a progressive and inclusive club, please contact us!”