Over the eight decades since, a handful of enthusiasts decided there should a club to accommodate the old boys of St Pats and associate schools. St Pats and Marist have retained and built on the original ideals to emerge as a leader with an innovativeness which has been Marist in recent years establish The Marist Club (Palmerston North) Incorporated to create an umbrella for a wider range of sporting and recreational activities.

The rugby club has provided the nucleus and inspiration for these developments and although our prowess on the field has not always overcome the obstacles, no one can doubt our resilience and resolution as a club in overcoming many problems which threatened our viability over the years. We will not document our success and failures, suffice to say we have gained from both. Our history is one if what rugby and team sport is all about.

Our first senior team was fielded in 1936 and one year later as St Pats we won the coveted Spillane Cup at the annual Easter tournament. Our fortunes at subsequent Spillane tournaments have fluctuated but each Easter we participate vigorously with other North Island Marist Club sides in rugby which has gained national recognition. 1939 saw the opening of a new Marist school in Palmerston North, and subsequently a name change from the original St Pats to the name we now proudly bear - Marist.

More importantly it saw the creation of a nursery for young rugby players, which has ensured our survival right from those difficult World War II years, when like ourselves, so many clubs were forced into recess.

After the war, the club was reformed and very quickly made an impact on the Manawatu club scene, quite often to our disadvantage, for a high percentage of club players gained representative honours, thereby weakening our club sides in crucial matches determining championship honours. We never resented this for the Irish influence was strong and of a generous nature.

Marist popularity and expertise has also been recognised in rugby administration for over the years key management positions in Manawatu rugby have been held by outstanding Marist personnel.

This clearly epitomised by our life member and past president Owen Gleeson's election to president of the Manawatu Rugby Football Union for its centenary year. Like Owen, we have earned that honour.

In addition Owen represents another area in which Marist has made an enormous contribution for he is one of a number of club members who have been appointed to top coaching and selection positions of Manawatu representative sides.

The period 1945 - 1965 was one during which our club sides met with considerable success on playing fields culminating with our Marist senior team coming so close to Manawatu rugby supremacy in 1965, only to be edged out in a closely contested final.

1966 - 1976

A decade of change in New Zealand during which we were introduced to real inflation and the realisation that Marist had to invest in real estate if we were to protect our proud heritage in future organisation.

We played host to Spillane tournament teams in 1966 and again only missed on that coveted trophy after extra time had been played and a forced touchdown saw us concede victory.

We invested wisely and our 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations were enriched by the plans to build our headquarters on property adjacent to the sporting and recreational centre of the Manawatu.

In 1976 we once again hosted the Spillane tournament, and a New Zealand Marist team which played a Manawatu Invitation team. We looked back on a decade of solid growth through sound planning on and off the field while eager to build on those foundations.

1977 - 1986

A decade of both consolidation and achievement which has seen Marist develop a clubrooms complex unique in the Manawatu, and embraced a constitution which now fosters a number of sporting activities.

Rugby has led the way with an emphasis on the younger players by strong promotion at the junior levels following most successful colts tours to Australia in 1982 and 1984. That attention paid off with championship honours being won by the under-21 sides in 1983, 1984, and 1985.

In 1983 our senior A side shared the championship honours for club supremacy in the Manawatu, and in 1985 were runners-up.

Perhaps it was the opening of our clubroom facilities in 1980 which has provided the impetus for club members to become real achievers.

Today there is real pride in ourselves, in our club and in our future. Individually we readily accept responsibility for ourselves and our club and there is no doubt our club is nationally recognised as a progressive, innovative, and community-minded, where a warm welcome is always assured to all visitors.

An era of maturity and consolidation. Strong co-operative team spirit was fostered. Sports personnel were encouraged to enhance their skills in coaching and sports management courses.

Individual performances have been rewarded by selections at provincial and national levels. In turn the strength and leadership these demonstrate, enthuses the up and coming players.

1987 - 1996

The late 1980s saw further change in the club's administration with the club establishing a mission statement with a five-goal plan. The senior side went on a World Tour while the colts toured Australia. Our under-19½ side and the senior IV players won their respective competitions in 1988. Following the Moran Cup win in 1989 at the North Island Marist tournament, the senior side produced a strong performance to win the Brennan Cup. The early 1990s were also a profitable period for Marist as the senior team won its section at the 1991 Spillane tournament, and the Centennial Shield that same year. The senior IV travelled to the World Invitation Tournament in Hawaii in 1991.

Victories saw the club win the Ham Cumming Cup and the Sports Cup at the North Island Marist tournament, while the senior players won the Hankins Shield - an outright win for the first time in 66 years.

The senior side won the 1992 Spillane Cup at the annual tournament, Karl Williams was selected in the New Zealand Division team, the club's under-19½ side again took out the local championship, and St Peter's College formed a special link with Marist. The visiting Springbok players were the quests of a highly successful evening at the Marist clubrooms in 1994.

A formidable senior team brushed aside all before them in the Manawatu competition in 1995, and the Hankins Shield was ours yet again. Scholarship schemes were introduced at the club in the area of coaching and sports management. The following year the senior side just missed out on repeating its 1996 success as it was beaten in the semifinals. The senior III went one better than the senior players as it won its own competition.

1997 - 2000

The senior players tasted Hankins Shield success again in 1998 but were knocked out in the semifinal the following year. The Marist Dogs, a 1998 Massey side that came across to Marist in search of a better club atmosphere, won the colts A competition.

The beginning of a new millennium saw the senior side being desperately unlucky not to win the Manawatu senior competition and the players outscored their Te Kawau rivals by three tries to one but finished up on the wrong side of the ledger.

2002

The Senior I were beaten finalists in the premier competition, losing to Te Kawau 16-11 in the Hankins Shield final. The Senior II dipped out by one competition point on reaching the playoffs, while the Premier Colts suffered a similar the same fate as the Senior I players, losing to HSOB in the final.

2002 Awards -
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Stu McIntosh
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Tim Moleta
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Brett Davis (108)
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup Scott Absolom (16)
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial Kevin Asalemo
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup Justin Alexander
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Rugby Terry O'Donnell Memorial Murray Missen
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Kate Wehi
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Premier Colts
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Martin Brady
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup John Fisher
DB Supporter of Year John McDowell
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Brendon O'Connor
Player of Year Fearon Cup Darryl Fale

2003

As in 2002 Marist Senior 1st made it to the Hankin Shield Finals only to be beaten by TeKawau.

2003 Awards -
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Craig Lovatt
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Johnny Leota
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Brett Davis
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup Scott Absolom (20)
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial Mike Rowe
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup Brad Verhoeven
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Rugby Terry O'Donnell Memorial Kath Smith
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Jared Brock
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Premier Colts
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Sue Curtis & Malcolm Burr
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup Murray Joyes
DB Supporter of Year Grant & Bev Absolom
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Leif Hasen
Player of Year Fearon Cup Lee Waller

2004

Senior 2nd won their competition.

2004 Awards -
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Joe McKenzie
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Phil Garner
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Glen Forgie (113)
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup Chris Gunn (14)
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial Johnny Leota
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup Craig Tutaki
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Rugby Terry O'Donnell Memorial Karlyn Eales
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Luke Clark
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Presidents
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Alastair Cadzow
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup Senior B's
DB Supporter of Year Ron & Maureen Vince
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Andrew Murley & Aaron Mitchell
Player of Year Fearon Cup Doug Teitjens

2005

Premier Colts won their competition.
2005 Awards -
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Campbell McNeill
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Semi Ioanui
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Daniel Power
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup Gareth Andrews
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial Johnny Leota
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup Gareth Andrews
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Rugby Terry O'Donnell Memorial Steve Crosswell
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Chris Long
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Presidents
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Bruce Munro
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup Cameron Fenton
DB Supporter of Year Sharron Williams
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Tyrin Topa
Player of Year Fearon Cup Sean O'Connor

2006

Senior 1st coached by Reid Stiven and Deryck Rowse had what has been described as one of the most tense matches for many many years against COB in the quarter finals - 11 all, 11 - 14 loss in extra time.
Senior 2nd coached by Kevin McKenzie and Sean Ryan won their competition 20 - 8. It was great to see old-timers Brett Davis, Alistair Cadzow, Brett Wistrand, Daniel Power, Lee Waller, Craig Tutaki back this year.
Premier Colts Anthony Pita, Bruce Munroe & Raymond Jones took there team to the quarter finals.
Under 19's Simon Smith & Dave Angland got to the final of competition losing 15-8.
2006 Awards -
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Greg Blake
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Matt Hamilton
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Nathan Iwikau
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup John Davidson
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial Sean Brown
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup Alistair Cadzow & Brett Davis
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Rugby Terry O'Donnell Memorial Wynn Hackett
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Aaron Goss
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Senior 1st
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Luke Clarke & Chris Long
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup Malcolm Burr
DB Supporter of Year Mr & Mrs Leota
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Jacob Aldrich
Player of Year Fearon Cup Andrew Murley

2007

Deryck "Rowsie" Rowse, Koli Sewabu and Reid Stiven were Senior 1st Coaches for 2007. It is good to see a 4 times Hankin Shield winner back helping out the Club go Rowsie. A great season running 3rd during the entire season just missed out on the Semi Finals but one point.

Brett "Steady" Davis and Willie Furnell Senior 2nds management had an up and down year with Killer B's strong start to season and a strong finish which is what counts. Taking them to the final of Senior 2nd Bottom Six Competition and a great win. The spirit within the Killer B's was fantastic.

Dave Angland, Simon Smith & Andrew Jameson from Colts took their boys to Colts A Final well done guys. These boys know how to have fun. Go hard boys but remember to keep the Marist name proud both on and off the field.

Presidents during the year Jim Winyard passed away in recognition the "Big Jim" Cup was produced the winner being his good mate Dave Currie a vertan of over 40 years Marist Rugby.

2007 Blazer recognition for either 50 Senior 1st or 80 other matches including one Senior 1st match is great effort - Mike Stack, Sean Brown, Luke Clark, Grant Christian, Kent Higson, Peter Richards.

2007 Awards were presented by Dave Rennie Coach of Manawatu Turbos
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Peter Donnelly
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Aaron Goss
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Matt Davidson (74)
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup David, Kerrin, JJ (12)
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial David Towers
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup Brad Ritchie
Outstanding Contribution to Junior Rugby Terry O'Donnell Memorial Danny Riley
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Sean Brown
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Colts
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Renee Williams
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup Brett "Steady" Davis
DB Supporter of Year Mr & Mrs Lovett
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Lisiate Fa'aose ( with Tongan RWC team )
Player of Year Fearon Cup Nathan Jefferies

2008 An Exciting Year at the Marist Rugby Club

2008 Club Rugby season was an exciting season !

Marist Junior Rugby hit new heights with more and more junior rugby players coming to our great Club. Marist Junior Rugby continues to be the leading Club in the Manawatu with over 280 registered juniors. This strong growth in numbers is reflected in all our teams none more than in our senior age grade teams with strong numbers in all grades.

Once again I would like to thank all our Sponsors without whom Marist Senior Rugby would not survive - Higgins Group - Higgins Family, Fitzherbert Rowe Lawlink - Barry Roche, Kealls Plumbing Plus - Paula & Alan Keall, Asteron - Paul O'Brien, Silvester Clark - Peter Clark, Shamrock Club, DB Breweries, Rangitkei Meat Distributors - Gleeson Family, Stephen Parsons House of Travel - Steve Parsons, The Rock 95.4FM Manawatu - Willie Furnell, Ezibuy - Gillespie Family, Venture Team Services (Wgtn) - Tony Sellars, S.S.S. Stereo Security Specialists - Tim Olsen and various Pub Charities.

Higgins / DB Senior 1st was ably coached this year by Brett "Steady" Davis with assistance from long time Manager's Murray Joyes and Lloyd Wapp and another well know face Mike Rusher. Our thanks also to Toby Climo - Trainer and Raewyn Walker and Linda Simpson - Physio's.
This year's Senior 1st team was very young by what a year they had !!!!
The Sports head-line in the Manawatu Standard dated July 28 said it all " Marist Kills Off College Old Boys' Season " our boys were the only team to beat COB and in doing so made it to the Semi Finals of the Hankin Shield, well done boys. To quote Peter Lamp, Manawatu Standard " if Marist can retain this side for the next few years, it is promising indeed ".

Kealls Plumbing Plus Senior 2nd was coached and managed by the veterans Brendan O'Connor, Daniel Power and Keith Pollock. The spirit within the Killer Bee's was once again fantastic these boys enjoyed their rugby and we look forward to seeing them all back in 2009.

Fitzherbert Rowe Lawlink Premier Colts was coached and managed by Simon Smith, Dave Angland and Andrew Jameson. These boys took out the Colts A final last year a great achievement for a young team. 2008 was most definitely a building year going from strength to strength in the Premier Colts grade and they will be stronger in 2009.

Asteron Under 19's played in the Colts A division ably coached and managed by Paul O'Brien, Dave Carey and Murray Missen. These boys take great pride in themselves and this showed on and off the field. Winning the MRU Colts A competition was a major achievement for this young team we look forward to seeing you all on the paddock in ‘09.

Marist Presidents also had a great year with many of the old time "Prezzies" continuing with our Club, well done boys fly the Marist flag high. To see players such as Dave Currie and Peter Richards still playing is a wonderful sight. Congratulations to both boys now playing in their 5th decade with our Club.

2008 Awards were -
Best Trainer Houlihan Cup Jono Phillips
Best Tackler Brother Aloysius Cup Troy Smith
Most Points Off Boot Robin O'Neil Cup Liam Carey
Most Tries O'Callahan Cup David Loft
Best Attacking Player Brian Finlay Memorial Kerian Murphy
Captain with Most Initiative John Berry Cup John Missen
Most Improved Club Player Ronald McDonald Memorial Matt Thomas
Best Winning Team Percentage Thomas Safety Memorial Under 19's
Most Promising Club Person Marist Brothers Cup Chris Long
Best Club Spirit J Oakley Cup Paul O'Brien
DB Supporter of Year Chris Long Snr
Best and Fairest Cam Stewart Memorial Toese Lealanuma
Player of Year Fearon Cup Sililo Sae

MRU Reps
To all those boys who achieved MRU Rep status in 2008 well done. It was great to see three Marist men turn out for the Turbos - Johnny Leota, Sean O'Connor and Toese Lealanuma. Great to see Chris Long Captain the MRU Development squad. Sililo Sae named MRU Best and Fairest for 2008. Sililo also went on to represent New Zealand Marist in an international fixture in Auckland against Romania. Patrick Sellar also represented PN Marist being named in the New Zealand Marist Colts Team 2008.

2009 A NEW ERA " PN OLD BOYS MARIST

EXCITEMENT I believe is the catch phrase for 2009. Please refer to our new Website -
www.pnobmaristrugby.co.nz

Whilst 2008 was a strong building year for Marist Rugby our great club saw that major developments were occurring within Manawatu Rugby and wanted to be apart of this knowing that we must look forward to continue to grow, be strong and pro-active. As a result in April 2008 talks commenced with another great club in Manawatu Rugby Palmerston North High School Old Boys. As with our great club PNHSOB has been around for over 80 years and has a proud history. In short after considerable hard work, many long meetings, you our Members agreed to a formal amalgamation with PNHSOB and in 2009 Marist and High School Old Boys Rugby will hit the ground running under the name of OLD BOYS MARIST excitement abounds for 2009 within this ground breaking new club.

Considerable efforts have been put in by Mark Gleeson and Paul O'Brien and the fellow Rugby Directors. Brett " Steady " Davis and Kane " KB " Barry, 2009 our Senior 1 Coaches shall ensure that 2009 will be an exciting year. It will be things such the bringing together of all the players from both clubs, the on-going development of the OBM Academy and a solid pre-season program that will ensure a great 2009 season and beyond. GOOD LUCK !!!!

It is strongly acknowledged that Old Boys Marist success will not only based around our Senior 1st squad Old Boys Marist has the aim of fielding as strong a teams as possible in all grades, thereby ensuring success on and off the field, ensuring that there is great fellowship within our fantastic club and that the 2009 season will be an exciting year.

I closing the Marist Rugby Committee would like to acknowledge the Life Membership honours granted to both Peter Clark and Murray Joyes well done and well deserved. We would also like to acknowledge the service of Murray Joyes and Lloyd Wapp, retiring Managers of the Marist Senior 1st.

P.N. MARIST RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB INC. HISTORY

Club Foundered 1926
Patron Rev. Father J. F. MacManus
President P. F. O'Connor Vice Presidents D. M. & W. O'Reilly
Chairman F. J. Oakley Secretary J.J. Barnao
Treasurer D. Shearman Club Captain C. McAlinden
Committee - A S Faire E C Trehey W Devine J Devine G Luani A M Ongley P Garrity G B Cope F O'Connor J J O'Shea M Kavanagh
C A Loughnan B Zaloum

LIFE MEMBERS
Bro Aloysius, Peter Clark, John Clifford, Terry Comber, Ezra Drury, Peter Gillespie, Roy Gillespie, Owen Gleeson, Paul Grimstone, David Healy, Frank Hepburn, Murray Joyes, Ossian Lynch, Paul McRae, Tom Madgwick, Paul O'Brien, Dan O'Connell, Hubie O'Connell, Robin O'Neill, Pat Quigan, Gerry Rodgers, Doug Sherman, John Sullivan.

PATRON
Rev. Father J. F. MacManus 1926 -- 1963
Rev. Father B Keegan 1964 -- 1965
Rev Father T. Duffy 1966 -- 1976
Bishop P. Cullinane 1977 -- 2008

ALL BLACKS Brian Edward Louis Finlay 1959 & Francis James (Frank) Oliver 1981
NZ MAORI Dion Waller 1996 - 1998
NZ SEVENS Paul Schmidt-Uili 1997 - 1998
SUPER 14 Johnny Leota 2008 - 2009
RUGBY WORLD CUP Lisiate Fa'aoso Tonga 2007
SENIOR CHAMIONSHIP WINNERS 1983 1992 1995 1998
NZ MARIST SPILLANE CUP WINNERS 1937 1939 1993

Player of Year Fearon Cup

Marist's Presence in Palmerston North

One of the main true strengths of Palmerston North Marist is its excellent facility located in Pascal Street.

The clubrooms are the heart of the Marist family. They offer a place for people of all codes to join and talk over a pint (or more), about the day's proceedings. Between these walls many a tale has been told (some more accurate than others), with subjects ranging from the All Blacks' last performances to less pressing matters such as the road works on Princess Street, Broadway Avenue.

Although the Marist movement was on its way in 1926, under the then name of St Patrick's Old Boys, the club did not have its own home until 1979. The club had a long period skipping from pub to pub until enough was enough and a home was found in Pascal Street, David Healy (at the time the convenor of the property and development sub committee) wrote in the 1978 November issues of the Green and Gold Times: "The sceptics have said they will never see them! One or two of our more loyal supporters have doubted that they would be built in their lifetime! Even some of the players had become a little cynical".

Such "attitudes" are well at rest now. From the efforts of Dave Healy and others, funds were raised (through honourable means and by, let's say "just methods"). Arguably the result is the best clubrooms, both architecturally and in atmosphere hospitality, in the Manawatu.

It is ironic however that Marist being one of the "powers" in Manawatu rugby took over 50 years to establish a base. Certainly when trying to attract players to the club, good conditions are paramount. Peter Gillespie reflects: "In the early days people would ask 'What sort of facilities have you?' and we would have to answer 'We are still planning'. The decision was made that if the club was going to progress, we would need clubrooms of some sort". Social contact was also a catalyst, Gillespie goes onto say: "It was nice for a guy to bring his wife and kids, Well you couldn't go and take them to the bloody pub".

Robin O'Neill, Manawatu and Waikato representative and All Black trialist, but most of all a Marist player remembers that: "The pub used to close at six o'clock. It was the days of the six o'clock swill...we couldn't get there till about 4.30pm after the game. We couldn't just waltz into the club like you do now. We would rush to the pub, sink a few, and then try to fill a few flagons, and bugger off to a party, invited or not! All by 6pm! It was bloody crazy".

The social influence of the clubrooms has impressed even the "more ature" members of the Marist family in Palmerston North. Patrick Kelliher, ex-duty Palmerston North mayor, reflects on the 1930s: "No one got to know the other players...it was the depression you see. A lot of us went to play and worked before and after the game."

What the Marist Rugby Club's Crest Means

At the top of the monogram is the official Marist emblem which signifies our affiliation and loyalty to the Marist Brothers. The Marist Brothers began teaching in Palmerston North in 1939. This emblem is surrounded by 12 stars representing the 12 apostles.

The three red Maltese crosses at the top of the monogram represent the cardinal virtues of FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY.

The colours of our rugby club - green and white - shown at the top left and lower right of the monogram.

At the top right and lower left is a golden crown over a book and tools (pick, axe, and shovel) on a blue background showing that all work is crowned by glory. The book represents the professional man and the tools the tradesman.

The white cross in the centre, on the green background represents Christ - in the centre of all things, as He should be.

The Marist Rugby Club had its foundation in 1926 when it was called "St Pats" but in 1940 with the arrival of the Marist Brothers it was appropriate to change the name of the club to "Marist" club.