Kurt Kara

Kurt Kara (born 26 June 1989) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played for the Newtown Jets in the New South Wales Cup, as a halfback or hooker.[1]

Kurt Kara
Personal information
Born (1989-06-26) 26 June 1989
Cambridge, New Zealand
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Playing information
PositionHalfback, Hooker
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
New Zealand Māori

Early years

Kara was born in Cambridge, New Zealand. He played his junior rugby league for the Cambridge Raiders. He is affiliated to the Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Te pai o Raukawa iwi. He played for the Turangawaewae club, the Waicoa Bay Stallions and the New Zealand and New Zealand Māori under-18 sides.[2]

He attended St John's College.

Playing career

Kara was a member of the New Zealand Warriors under 20's squad in 2008 and 2009 before signing on with then NSW Cup side the Western Suburbs Magpies in 2010. In 2011, Kara signed with the Newtown Jets.

In the 2012 NSW Cup season, Kara was part of the Newtown side which won the competition that year and played in the grand final win over the Balmain Tigers. Newtown won the match 22–18. At seasons end, Kara also won the clubs ""Person of the year" award.[3][4]

In 2013, Kara won Newtown's Best and Fairest award.[5] He also represented New Zealand Māori when they hosted the Murri Queensland Indigenous side.[6]

He trained with the Sydney Roosters in the 2014 pre-season.[5][7] In 2014 he was selected as part of the New Zealand Māori side that toured Queensland to play two matches against the Murri Queensland Indigenous team.[8]

On 16 October 2016, Kara played for the NZ Maori XIII against the NZ Residents. The NZ Residents won the match 30–10.[9]

On 22 July 2017, Kara played his 150th game for Newtown against the New Zealand Warriors at Henson Park. Newtown won the match 38–12.[10][11] It was the first time a player had played in 150 games for Newtown in reserve grade.[12]

He retired at the end of the 2017 season, returning to Hamilton.[13]

References
  1. "2017 SQUAD – Newtown Jets". Nswrl.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  2. "Kara hits the big time". Stuff. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  3. Chammas, Michael (30 September 2012). "Jets scramble to take NSW Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  4. "NRL grand final day teams". News.com.au. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  5. "VB NSW Cup Player Feature – Kurt Kara". Nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  6. New Zealand Maori Invitation XIII to play Murri Queensland Indigenous Side. Archived 8 November 2013 at Archive.today nzrl.co.nz, 9 October 2013
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. NRL trio named in New Zealand Maori squad Stuff.co.nz, 10 October 2014
  9. "Residents prove too much for NZ Maori". Kiwileaguecentral.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  10. "2017 Draw & Results". Newtownjets.vom. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  11. "It's the Beer Footy & Food Festival at Henson Park tomorrow … plus Kurt Kara reaches his 150th game with the Newtown Jets". Newtownjets.com. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  12. "For The Love Of The Game". Nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  13. Kirkness, Luke (9 October 2017). "League: Kiwi's NRL dream ends after eight seasons in NSW Cup". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
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