 |
Simon Johnston
Johnno saw the light and joined the Club in 1984 from
the Grammar Rugby Club. Johnno played reserve grade
at loose forward and prop for 3 years and played in
the Clubs 10 aside ( now 7’s ) teams for 2 years.
He commenced his managing roles of the Seniors (now
called Premiers) from 1986 for the Ken Baguley coached
team. He was also a member of the successful and talented
Old Blues Presidents team in the mid 1990’s. Between
the Premiers and Under 21’s, Johnno has managed
these teams, with a few years off in between right through
to 2011. Johnno sat on the Club’s committee from
1987 through to 1993, serving as Club Captain in 1988,
the Clubs Centennial year. In this time he has managed
2 Gallaher Shield winning teams (1987 and 1997) plus
the U21’s in 1991. Johnno is a very proud and vocal
supporter and friend of the University teams and players.
In an unofficial capacity, Johnno has been the Club’s
Referee’s Relationship Officer. As a friend of
John Drake, he is a Trustee of the John Drake Memorial
Scholarship set up in 2009.
|
| |
|
| |
Trevor Fry
Trevor worked tirelessly as a Coach and promoter of
Varsity as the preferred club for aspiring Under 21
Grade players leaving school. He coached the Under 21's
to many Championships during the 1960's and for over
30 years was the initial point of contact for players
leaving school. He also acted as the Honorary Electrician
to the club and the lights that still stand at the ACC
ground in Shore Road are a lasting example of his skills.
|
| |
|
 |
Chris Seagar
Elected at the 2010 AGM. Chris played for University
between 1975 and 1980 with a year away overseas in 1979.
He joined the Senior Committee in 1983 and served as
Club Captain from 1984 to 1988 during which time the
club enjoyed great success winning Gallagher Shields
in 1984 and 1987 and celebrating it’s Centenary
in 1988. In 1995 Chris and others founded the University
Junior Rugby Club with Chris as it’s inaugural
President between 1995 and 2000 . The growth of the
Junior club has been instrumental in widening the club’s
player base and assisting University to successfully
evolve into a community based rugby club. Chris remained
on the Junior Committee in an advisory role until 2010
and has assisted the Club in property matters over a
number of years.
|
| |
|
 |
Mike Begley
Played U21s, Senior Reserves, Seniors 1972-80. Fingletoads
and Old Blues in 1980s. Made a Wynyard Club member in
1978 to set up and run the bar in the new club rooms.
Coached/managed U19s and U21s 1988-91. Senior manager
1992-94. Senior committee 1980s to 1995. Formed University
Junior Rugby Club in 1995 with four other fathers. Committee
member from 1995 to 2010. President 2001-2003. Junior
delegate on ARFU 2001-2010.
|
| |
|
 |
Peter McDermott
Peter became a supporter of Varsity Rugby in the
1960s and through his company (Raymond Dale Wool) became
a generous sponsor of the club at a time when sponsorship
was in its infancy. Peter's son, John, played at No
8 for the club during the 1980s and was captain of the
Gallaher Shield winning team in 1987.
|
| |
|
 |
Mike Cormack
Mike played 45 games at fullback for Auckland from
1960 to 1966 and was a member of the Gallaher Shield
winning team in 1966. He headed the fundraising campaign
that enabled the club to build its clubrooms at Colin
Maiden Park, coached the Seniors for a number of years
and was President from 1987-88.
|
| |
|
 |
Hinga Smith
Since the 1970s Hinga has been a loyal supporter
and servant of University rugby. He has acted as baggage
man, scoreboard operator, tourist and the ultimate supporter
of any venture that the club enters into. Smithy served
NZ in the Maori Battalion in the Second World War after
using a mate's birth certificate to join the Army as
a 16-year-old.
|
| |
|
 |
Bob Burnes
Bob played for the Seniors during the 1960s including
the 1966 Gallaher Shield winning team. A renowned musician,
he is also known to star (with wife Janet) at any rock-and-roll
evening that the club chooses to stage. Bob served as
President from 1984-86 and did 40 years of service as
club solicitor.
|
| |
|
 |
Rob Fisher
Elected at the 2004 AGM, Rob first played for the
University Under 19s in 1962 and in the ensuring years
played for championship winning teams in Under 21, Senior
Reserves and Seniors (1971). He was instrumental in
establishing the Fingletoads and toured Ireland with
the Old Blues in 1984. Fish was a founder of the Wynyard
Club who ran the bar in pre-licensing days and served
as club solicitor during the time the clubrooms were
being built. He became Varsities delegate to Auckland
Rugby in 1982, became Chairman of Auckland in 1990 and
then Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1996.
Rob became the first New Zealander to be elected (based
on votes rather than being appointed by rotation) to
the position of Deputy Chairman of the IRB in 1995.
|
| |
|
 |
Barrie Hutchinson
Elected at the 2005 AGM. Played for Victoria and
Auckland Universities and was a member of the 1956 NZU
side that beat the touring South African side in 1956.
Played 27 games for Auckland from 1954 to 1959. Coached
the Seniors from 1969 to 1972 including a Gallaher Shield
victory in 1971. Club President 1974-75. A renowned
orator who was responsible for introducing poetry as
a motivational tool in team talks. Vice President of
the ARFU from about 1990. 'Hutch' served NZ in the Navy
during the Second World War as an 18-year-old.
|
| |
|
 |
Ken Baguley
Elected at the 2006 AGM. Played for U19s, U21s,
Seniors 1966-77, Old Blue on tour to Ireland 1984. Coached
U21s 1982-83, Senior Reserves 1984, Seniors 1985-1987
(Gallaher Shield), Selector, Coach and Manager for NZU
1988-1992. Treasurer 1963-1964, Committee 1965-1977,
Club Captain 1978-79, Club President 1992-94, Delegate
for University on ARFU 1990-1998, Chairman of Council
of Delegates 1999-2001, Chairman ARFU Board of Directors
2002-08.
|
| |
|
 |
Rob Hargrave
Elected at the 2006 AGM. Played for U21s, Seniors
1964-67, Senior Reserves, Senior C, Fingletoads, Coached
U21s 1982-83, Senior Reserves 1984, Auckland U85kg Coach
2000 to 2005, Treasurer/Club Secretary/Committee from
1965-1980s, Club President 1995-97.
|
| |
|
 |
John Kirkby
Elected at 2006 AGM. Played all of his senior rugby
in Wellington for Victoria University and Wellington.
Migrated to Auckland in late 1970s. Toured Ireland with
the Old Blues in 1984. Became an "iconic"
MC of Varsity dinners and luncheons from 1995-2006.
With up to 800 people attending, the luncheons became
an essential part of the pre-test activities in Auckland
and largely on the back of Kirky's skills as a humorous
and irreverent Master of Ceremonies.
|
| |
|
 |
Bryce Rope
Elected at 2006 AGM. Played for University following
service in the Second World War. Played 21 games for
Auckland from 1947-1952. Coached Seniors during the
early 1950s. Led the Seniors on their tour of California
in January 1967. All Black coach from 1983-84 - won
9, lost 2 for a 81% record. The first coach of a New
Zealand 7s side. Club President 1965-67.
|
| |
|
 |
Phil Lindesay
Elected at 2006 AGM. Played for Seniors from 1965-74.
Played for Counties in 1964 and then played 93 games
for Auckland from 1965-73. Coached Seniors with Mike
Cormack from 1978-1980, President 1989-91. Treasurer
and Vice President (2005-06) of Barbarians Rugby Club.
'Lizard' was a tough and uncompromising lock and prop
for Varsity in a period where the Seniors won three
Gallaher Shields from 1966 to 1974.
|
| |
|
 |
David Jones
David came to AURFC in 1991 after years of playing
and committee roles at VUWRFC. Immediately he coached
the reserve grade and the in 1993 and 1994 the premiers.
He served as an NZU selector. He was a committee member
for at least 15 years with 3 of those as President.
He had roles both alone and through his firm A J Park
as a sponsor and financial supporter of the club.
|
| |
|
 |
Ian Mckenzie
“Mac” as he is known to most at AURFC,
joined the club in 1991 and was made a life member in
2007. Mac has managed most teams within the club; Under
19s, Under 21s, Reserves & finishing with the Premiers
in 2001. Mac also has been, since 1994, responsible
for organising the annual club luncheon at Eden Park
which is attended by over 800 people each year. It is
the largest pre rugby test luncheon in NZ. He was Club
President from 2003-2006 and is a wealth of knowledge
on all things relating to the Varsity Club. He is the
quiet voice of reason on the committee on which he has
served since 1994. In 2007 the ARFU awarded him the
Barrie Connell trophy for outstanding Club Administrator
of the Year.
|
