Point Chevalier Pirates
The Point Chevalier Pirates are an Auckland rugby league club based in Point Chevalier. The Pirates currently compete in the Fox Memorial (First Division) competition run by the Auckland Rugby League.
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Point Chevalier Pirates Rugby League Club |
| Colours | Green and White |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Coach | Fale Tiava'asu'e |
| Captain | Francis Ledger and Patrick Shipley |
| Competition | Auckland Rugby League |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 1953, 2013, 2014,2015,2018 |
| Runners-up | 2016,2017 |
| Minor premiership | 1956, 1995 2013, 2014, |
| Roope Rooster | 1951, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Stormont Shield | 1951,2014, 2015,2016,2017,2018 |
| Fox Memorial | 1953, 2013, 2014 2015,2018 |
| Sharman Cup | 1951, 1952, 1970, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2011 |
| Phelan Shield | 2010 |
History
The club was founded in 1919.[1]
In the 1980s and 1990s the club's senior team merged with the City club to form City-Pt Chevalier.
In 2010 Awen Guttenbeil returned to the club as coach. Former professional players Stacey Jones, Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham and Karl Te Nana all joined the squad for the club's 90th year as the team easily won the Phelan Shield.[2][3]
This began a rapid rise for the club as they won the Sharman Cup (second division) the following year, gaining promotion to the Fox Memorial for 2012. The Pirates finished the season third, but in their final match against the Marist Saints, the Pirates fielded a third-string side and were beaten 102–0, and denied Papakura, who had beaten the Pirates on both occasions the teams had met earlier in the year, a place in the semi-finals to play the Pirates again the following week. Papakura appealed to the Auckland Rugby League, and the Pirates were found guilty of bringing discredit on the game and were ejected from the play-offs.[4][5]
The Pirates came back stronger the following year and won the Fox Memorial in 2013 & 2014 & 2015. Only 3 other clubs have done 3 in a row in the History of the Fox. Northcote (4 in a row) Glenora & Mt Albert & now Pt Chev under the Coaching of Grant Pocklington (2013,2014,2015,2018) (4 Fox Memorial Wins) & Team Manager Wilard Hyndman 4 Fox Memorial Wins (2013,2014,2015,2018) & 2 Runner ups (2016,2017).
Notable players
Notable players to play for the club include Great Britain representative Karl Harrison and Samoan international Hutch Maiava. Arden McCarthy,
Players to play for the New Zealand national rugby league team include Doug Anderson, Vic Belsham, Shane Varley, Jack Russell-Green, Bill Schultz, Paul Schultz, Bob McGuinn, Henry Maxwell, Duncan MacRae, Ken Stirling, Gordon Moncur, Graham Mattson, Dennis Key, John Sparnon, Awen Guttenbeil,Stacey Jones Fuifui Moimoi,Tawhiao Rogers, Henry Paul, Evarn Tuimavave Tevita Latu, Wairangi Koopu, Paki Afu,
The club has also produced three test referees: Vic Belsham, John Percival and Ray Shrimpton.
References
- "Yo ho ho and ninety years done" Superleague, Issue 1 2010. p.27.
- "Forget about the last game, get ready for another". The Sunday Star-Times. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- Brown, Michael (8 November 2009). "League: Old boys fight to keep Pirates afloat". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- Pt Chevalier booted from Fox Memorial playoffs stuff.co.nz, 1 August 2012
- Tanking allegation could cost Pirates their playoff place New Zealand Herald, 1 August 2012