FEATURE

HOB rugby kids back in town

By Hamilton City Council

Hamilton Old Boys junior rugby players will be back playing on their home turf this winter as a result of a collaborative effort between their junior club, Hamilton City Council and H3.

HOB junior club president David Barnett says it will be great having all of the juniors back training and playing at Willoughby Park and, with the support of H3, the old stadium number two ground will be turned into two playing fields to accommodate the Under 6 and 7 grades ripper rugby teams.

The juniors were relocated to Steele Park in Hamilton East to facilitate the then V8 Supercars event around the stadium and the move back couldn’t come at a better time – it being Hamilton Old Boys centenary year.


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

“This move brings junior rugby back into the central city for the first time in a number of years and it fits with Council’s desire to see the stadium precinct being used for community-oriented activities as well as professional sport,” Barnett said.

“We expect to have upward of 225 youngsters playing for the club this season and it’s highly likely that the move back to Willoughby Park could attract more junior players.”

H3’s Venue Manager-Stadia Ben Slatter, says he’s delighted the club, Council and H3 have been able to work together to make the Old Boys juniors return possible.

“Their return will give a real lift to HOB’s centenary celebrations and, no doubt, some of the littlies playing on the old number two ground will be inspired enough to go on and win representative and national honours of their own.”