Club History
Brief History
The Rakaia Rugby Football Club was first formed in July 1876 and has an eminent 130 year history. It has remainded strong in spite of world wars and economic recessions, and continues to provide sport and recreational opportunities for the local community.
The club has three playing fields at the Rakaia Domain with modern changing/showering facilities and floodlights for night training. Aftermatch functions were held in a variety of premises until 1967 when clubrooms were built on Elizabeth Avenue, Rakaia, and these were subsequently modernized and refurbished in the late 1990s.
In 2006 the club comprised 133 members, 32 seniors, 68 juniors and 33 administrators/coaches. Another 150+ community members are involved during the rugby season as parents, sponsors and supporters. Some age grade players have joined combined teams.
After winning the Senior B title two years in a row 2008 sees the return of the Rakaia team to the Senior Division 1 competition of the PGG Wrightson Cup (Mid Canterbury, Ellesmere & North Canterbury Combined) and the Watters Cup.
The Rakaia Community
Rakaia is at the southern end of the Rakaia River Bridge on State Highway 1, 55 km south of Christchurch and 106 km north of Timaru. Rakaia is just 32 km north of the Mid-Canterbury provincial capital Ashburton. Rakaia is a rural service township with a large agricultural hinterland, but derives additional economic activity through its proximity to the Rakaia River (salmon angling) and State Highway 1.
Rakaia has a population of approximately 960 residents and serves a rural population of similar size. There were 450 households and 77 businesses, and 19% of the population was under 15 years old in 2001.
The club has attracted newcomers to the district and is a vital contributor to the life of the Rakaia Community. Touch rugby has been run over the summer, and club members have regularly assisted with the Rakaia Shearing Competition.
