The Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre is proud to welcome the Howick RSA, who have adopted the clubrooms as their official hospitality home.

A perfect fit coming together, the Howick RSA prides itself on being at the heart of the community which is a key pillar of the Pakuranga Rugby Club and the HPCSC facilities.

On November 1^st the first ode of remembrance was conducted in the Trevor King Bar and on Armistice Day following a ceremony on Stockade Hill the eternal flame was blessed by the Padre.  Every Friday night at 6pm, per the tradition of the Howick RSA, the Ode of Remembrance will be read and a moment of silence observed. 

PURC General Manager Mike Bongiovanni has led the charge in uniting the two organisations, a member of the RSA himself, Mike is a veteran US Marine.

“When I was appointed General Manager at the Pakuranga United Rugby Club, I was hopeful that an opportunity would arise allowing for a conversation to take place with the Howick RSA about helping them find a permanent home since losing their premise on Wellington Street.   

“From the start it became apparent our organisations shared a lot of the same values as we are both not for profit entities and family oriented.  The board of management, life members and members have been almost unanimous in their support of this initiative.   The benefits include brining veterans into the club so that our younger generation can learn from them and their service, we have plenty of parking, we have plenty of activities in and around the club including badminton, pickleball, gardening and there has been a suggestion of indoor bowls which we have plenty of space for.”

Howick RSA President Barry Dreyer said their members were grateful for the new arrangements with HPCSC.

“One of the core activities of the RSA is camaraderie and the HPCSC clubrooms are an ideal location for us, particularly with the opportunity to display our sacred flame and have the reading of the Ode each Friday evening. We look forward to a long and happy relationship.”

PURC Chairman Rob Neil said: 

 “We are thrilled to welcome the Howick RSA; I attended the Armistice Day service on Stockade Hill and the blessing of the eternal flame afterwards and was grateful for the opportunity to take a minute and remember the men and women that serve this great country. 

“For us this represents our further evolution into the Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre, we are ardent rugby supporters but equally committed to our netball club, touch module, badminton members and now the Howick RSA”

 PURC President Mike Biddick said:

 “As President of the club I was immediately consulted about this opportunity and started talking to life members and members alike to gauge their feeling on the Howick RSA making our club their hospitality home, the feedback I got was overwhelmingly positive and I enjoy seeing the Howick RSA members around the club”

The clubrooms are open from 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 11am on Saturday.  The club offer a wide range of food and beverages and encourage people to come down and have a look at the eternal flame, the Howick RSA memorabilia cabinet and enjoy the hospitality.

Article added: Tuesday 26 November 2024