Calling all gumboot wearers, the annual Tapawera-Waimea rugby clash for the prized Kaka Shield is fast-approaching.
Tapawera is busy assembling its teams for the shield, women’s and junior matches at Jubilee Park on Sunday week.
“You are never quite sure how many players will front up until matchday. Some years we have had 40, others 20 or just 14,” says Kaka Shield committee chairman Kerry Walker, who has played for about the last 25 years.
And his father Dave ran the show before him.
It has been a real family affair for the Jones’ too, with administrator Karen, her mother, and her daughter - Super Rugby Aupiki loose forward Sarah - all playing over the years.
The local netball club has boosted numbers for the women’s team in the past.
The U35-year-olds will have to dig out their gumboots to play in again, while the older brigade can foot it in sneakers.
The gummies were invaluable in the mud-bath conditions last year.
Depending on the referee, the rules are pretty flexible, with matches going for up to an hour with four 10-minute quarters.
While the travelling team generally seems to win, the Kaka Shield always ends up back at Tapawera.
“It is pretty valuable. So, we have a keeper of the shield,” says Karen.
“It did go missing for a few years once, until it turned up under someone’s bed,” adds Kerry.
The matches kick-off at midday.
