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If the walls at Hibiscus Coast Raiders Rugby League Club could talk, there would be 40 years’ worth of tales to tell.
Who better to take on a wander down memory lane than Roger Reid, known to all as Kodak, who joined Raiders not long after its first annual meeting in 1982.
The 75-year-old played league from childhood and, until his knee gave out earlier this season, was the club’s oldest Masters player.
Starting as a player and foundation committee member, Roger has also been a masseuse for Brian (Bluey) McClennan’s team in the 1990s, a referee, team manager, member of three committees (currently the president) and club historian. More than anything, Kodak is known for his action photos – although he’d rather be on the field, he has been beside it taking photos almost as long as he’s been playing.
He still takes a camera with him everywhere he goes.
Roger says when the club formed, in 1982, it was all about “footy for kids” and hoped to be a feeder for larger clubs. Young players are still a focus – this season there are 10 junior teams, including a girls’ team.
In 1987 a group of players from Silverdale Rugby Club wanted to change codes, which led to the formation of the club’s first adult team.
Roger says right from the start, the club was focused on a family culture. Money was tight, with members making the kids’ jerseys and shorts themselves. The clubrooms were built by members in the club’s original location – Edith Hopper Park in Manly – funded by pub raffles.
“It was built, debt-free for $40,000,” Roger remembers. The building was moved to the current Raiders’ grounds in Stanmore Bay in 1985. Drainage was an issue on the swampy Stanmore Bay grounds, initially filled in and prepared by Council. Roger says they were lucky to have an early sponsor, Field Drainage, which worked hard to improve the drainage until the fields were in top condition.
Over the years, the clubrooms have hosted a number of funerals, and other family events and ceremonies for members, as well as being the club’s social hub.
Several well-known names have been part of the club – Sean Johnson and coach Brian (Bluey) McClennan among them. Roger says other notable Raiders who have gone on to international success (some swapping codes along the way) include Ben Teo, who played for the Brisbane Broncos and represented England in rugby union. He is now assistant coach for the Redcliffe Dolphins. Karl Temata played for the Warriors and represented the Cook Islands in a World Cup and Matthew Cardey represented Wales in rugby union.
Much of the reminiscing that goes on during the club’s anniversary dinner and events this weekend will be around ‘glory days’ games such as the last two matches ever played on Carlaw Park in 2002.
“We were the top club in the country and on that day played in the Fox Memorial and also the Bartercard Cup. We won the Fox in an exciting cliff-hanger of a match and narrowly lost the Bartercard Cup to Mt Albert,” Roger says.
He still remembers taking the photo of the winning Dylan Jones try.
Roger says Raiders is the only club apart from Mt Albert that has over the years won all the Auckland titles and the national title.
This season sees the club in good heart, with player numbers maintained despite the challenges of Covid-19 and the Premiers holding their own in the Fox Premiership.
And as usual, Roger will be in the thick of it, camera in hand.
Birthday celebrations – The Raiders 40th anniversary celebrations run from Friday, July 1-3. July 2 will be a Club Day, with all teams, including the premiers, playing at home in Stanmore Bay, and in the evening there will be a ’reminiscing night’, buffet and speeches. On July 3, the weekend will finish with a Masters module which will see Old Boys teams from all over Auckland compete on the Stanmore Bay grounds. Details on the HBC Raiders Rugby League and Sports Club Facebook page. If you want to help with preparations or to attend, contact organisers – Karen Gibbons, 021 164 4810, karengibbons2@gmail.com or Roger Reid, 021 177 7255, tutrays@hotmail.com
Members of the original Raiders teams – minors
Raiders milestones – The club formed in 1982 when Auckland rugby league enthusiasts the late Jack Howard and Gus Malam teamed up with Russell Satterthwaite and Alan Keenan to get the ball rolling. • Raiders maroon and gold strip was influenced by the colours of the former Rodney County Council. • The club has produced more than 30 Auckland representatives at all levels. • Raiders have a strong Old Boys contingent and have been represented at every Masters tournament since 1995.
