Graeme Coley: “Goodbye Hutt Old Boys Marist.”

What are your earliest memories of rugby?

Remembering my father in 1957 taking my younger brother Bruce and me down to Strand Park and beginning to play rugby for Hutt. The mornings were often frosty or cold and we were playing in bare feet. Strand Park was like a wind tunnel, very exposed. Often when we didn’t play rugby I would go and play Rugby League for St. George (aged 7yrs).

Tell us about one or two outstanding memories from your playing days?

Being selected in 1964 to represent Hutt Valley Primary Schools in a tournament as a half back.

Playing for Hutt Valley High 1st XV in 1967/68 as a winger (very quick in those days!!) Then in 1969 made the Wellington Under 19 rep side as a 2nd five-eighth and then in 1970 made the Wellington Junior Rep Side in the same position.

What brought you to the club captaincy?

In 1981 Hutt Old Boys had nobody who was interested enough to contribute to the club to make things tick with the playing side, and things going on around the club. I suppose I was a born leader who wanted to contribute to a sport I loved.

Just how demanding is that role, list the things you have to do?

If you are organised and able to plan events occurring and ahead of time, and are prepared to spend a reasonable time in the role, well this enables members to become aware of you and to know they can rely on somebody approachable. Experience takes time, the role covers too many aspects to list in this paragraph but covers the full gambit of running a club, for more info, Peter (McGuinness) or Jim (McMenamin) have a list of the duties, and are looking at several people to replace me!!!!

What’s been the most outstanding moment for you in the club’s history?

Being around when Hutt Old Boys won the Jubilee Cup in 1991 and Hutt Old Boys Marist in 2007, also the resurgence of the club when we changed back to the red and whites of the original Hutt Club and brought in experienced players such as Hika Reid, Mark Shaw, Steve Pokere, Willie Harrison, Tera Arthur, Mike (Tyson) Edwards, Here Crofts, Warwick Paul, and Gavin Hill, this produced a team that got us back up into the top grade, bearing in mind we had got down as low as Senior 3rd, managed to get back up into Senior 2nd, and had all of these above players plus more and regained top status in 1990.

Since then the club has gone from strength to strength, with the amalgamation, and the numbers that are continuing to play in our club. The success the amalgamation is now having, with nine teams in the club means we’re now one of the top clubs in Wellington Rugby.

Any advice for your successor?

Be consistent in what you do and have a passion for the club.

As you settle in to a new life for you and Penny at Mount Maunganui, what will you miss most about Hutt Old Boys Marist?

The friends I’ve made over the years, both in Hutt Old Boys Marist and in rugby generally. The only thing in my life I have control over (my wife made me say this!!)