The Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club Inc. Board would like to thank our 2022 Premier team Men’s Head Coach Ricky Henry for his respective time, effort, contribution, and successes the past 2022 season. The Richmond Rovers club is better for your services, and we are grateful for your contributions towards our side and club. You have had the Richmond club in your heart throughout the many years and we wish to acknowledge and thank you on behalf of our club. 
 
The Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club Board is excited to appoint and promote Henri Nicholas as our Ah Kuoi & Atmore Residential Richmond Bulldogs Premier Men’s Head coach for the 2023 Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial Shield competition.
 
The experienced Fox Memorial Premier Men's and Akarana Falcon’s representative coach Henri Nicholas has accepted the role after serving his apprenticeship developing under affluent and vastly experienced senior coaches including Bernie Perenara (2015-16), Steve Buckingham (2017), Geoff Norton (2020-21), John Teina and Ricky Henry (2022). 
 
Henry brings with him significant coaching experience having worked as the Premier Fox Memorial Men’s Assistant Coach (2010-2022) at Richmond for several years including a stint at the Northcote Tigers, Akarana Falcon’s junior grades including winning as Akarana Under 20s Coach in 2022. 
 
Senior Convenor, Tony Taylor believes Nicholas is the right man for the job. 
  
“Henri Nicholas’ appointment is a positive step forward in the continuation of our 2022 season as playoff semi-finalists and working towards improved results in the 2023 Fox Memorial Shield competition.” 
 
With Henri’s 2022 role as Assistant coach of the Richmond Premier Men's side this year under previous Head Coach Ricky Henry; we were able to maintain the continuity and familiarity Henri has with our Richmond players and our club. 
 
Henri has an impressive list of coaching accolades and is well respected throughout our rugby league communities. It’s exciting to think what the Premier team under the helm of Henri will be able to produce and we are delighted that he will be leading us into the Fox Memorial Shield competition next year.” 
 
New Head Coach, Henri Nicholas says; “It is a privilege to lead the Richmond Premier Men’s team into the 2023 Fox Memorial Shield competition.” 
 
“I am passionate about the long-term success of Richmond which I have great history both as a player and coach and look forward to building a strong foundation for the future. It’s a privilege to return and have the opportunity to coach these young men with the entire 2022 coaching and management team back as we work towards building a strong Fox Memorial Shield campaign starting with preseason in November.” 
 
From the 2022 season coaching team is Al Ettles, John Teina and Geoff Norton who will all be supporting our Premier team again as assistant coaches. They each bring with them a wealth of senior coaching experience having collectively coached and talent identify some of the best up and coming talent in Auckland and at National Representative level with varying Akarana Falcons, Auckland Vulcans, and other Premier Men’s Fox Memorial teams.  
 
Together they bring great experience, leadership, a winning attitude, and work ethic as coaches to the Richmond Rovers rugby league club which will better support our seniors and youth playing group. This team will again be instrumental with a structured approach to developing our youth players as well as providing guidance for upcoming Richmond junior and senior coaches.
 
For any questions, please contact Richmond Senior Convenor, Tony (Lats) Taylor on 021 562 222. 

Congratulations to our Richmond junior players and officials representing our proud Richmond club this weekend at Auckland Rugby League's Region of Origin competition. Wishing our players and teams all the very best! Play hard, play fair.

Club officials include: Luisa Avaiki-Tavesivesi, Sekoa Iefata, Inoke Tavesivesi, Rose Iefata, Teasha Marra, and Ruth Vae. Full team list shown below. 

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has inducted, for the first time in its history, four Kiwi Ferns to its prestigious Legends of League. Congratulations to our very own Richmond Rose player - Kiwi Fern legend - Luisa Avaiki (pictured right) who now joins the esteemed Legends’ Club. How lucky are we to have her down at the Richmond club, sharing her knowledge and skill set with our young woman! Giving back at its absolute best! 


NZRL Legends of League inducts four Kiwi Ferns for the first time
For the first time in its history, the NZRL has inducted four Kiwi Ferns to its prestigious Legends of League.

Kiwi Fern legends, Luisa Avaiki, Nadene Conlon, Trish Hina and Leah Witehira now join the esteemed Legends’ Club alongside eight new Kiwis inductees; Kevin Iro, Stacey Jones, James Leuluai, Sir Graham Lowe, Dane O’Hara, Quentin Pongia, Howie Tamati and Ruben Wiki.

The key criteria to be recognised for the Legends of League were longevity, leadership, achievement, and performance at international level (first and foremost), as well as club and provincial level; enhancing rugby league’s standing in New Zealand; and post-playing contribution to the game.

Having been retired for at least five years – a directive since the establishment of the Legends of League in 1995 – remains a requirement. READ MORE

​Congratulations to two of our Under 14s Rosebuds who represented the Te Mahurehure Hokianga Storm Under 13 Kotiro team at the first New Zealand Maori Rugby League (NZMRL) Kotiro tournament held in Rotorua during the weekend of Matariki.

Sari Iefata - Captain (left) and Te Ahurei Latu (right) secured third place!

Congratulations to NZMRL who ran a two day tournament that focused solely on girls in rugby league, the competition had grades ranging from Under 13 to Under 18s and successfully hosted a total of 37 teams.

Awesome to see the rural areas of New Zealand link up with other regions and produce some very impressive talent. The future is bright for our young girls. Thank you NZMRL for creating opportunities and pathways for our young woman in league.

Congratulations to our Richmond Rosebuds selected in the Under 14s and Under 16s representative squads for the 2022 Auckland Rugby League Region of Origin.

Shout out to our Coaching and management staff also representing Richmond including: 

• Luisa Avaiki - 14s N.W Coach
• Sekoa Iefata - 14s N.W Co Coach
• Inoke Koroiratu - 14s N.W Trainer
• Rose Iefata - 14s N.W Manager
• Teasha Marra - 14s South Coach
• Ruth Vae - 14s South Coach

​Sincerest Condolences to Hec Martin and family such sad news to hear of your passing.

A great turnout today by our Richmond club to pay respects to a great former Richmond player, Coach and ex-Chairman and club administrator for many years! We will miss you Hec! 

Image features Hec's two grandsons in our club colors.

The Richmond club had the pleasure of hosting our neighbours the Ponsonby Ponies today at Grey Lynn Park!

Our senior teams all came away with a win so a successful day on the scoreboard. It was an awesome packed fun day with big crowds between our local friends and families as well as the visiting clubs. Our DJ playing his oldskool jams and lots of good food, family and fellowship. Thanks to everyone that helped make this day possible.

RESULTS
Premiers: 80 vs Ponies 06
Premier 1st: 38 vs Glenfield Greyhounds 24
Premier Roses : 30 vs Ponies Ladies 28
Premier 2nd Tokes: 30 vs Ponies Stallions 14
​
Congratulations to one our Junior players Reiley Satele who debut today for our Premiers and had an awesome game. He even got to lead the club song well done Reiley!

Very good team performance today by our 2022 Tony Murray Electrical Inspections Richmond Roses, convincingly beating a very solid and determined Taniwharau side 34-10 at Opaheke Park.

Tries to: Claudia Hanham (Crash), Rowena Meleisea-Koonwaiyou (2), Waiana Jones, Kaiyah Atai, Charlise Tumu- Makara and Laishon Jones who also kicked 3 conversions.

Difficult for coaches to pick 3 players for P.O.D. as was very much a team effort on defence especially. Many players stood up today which is exciting signs for the season ahead and future of the Richmond Roses.

Congratulations to Players of the Day: Kahurina Cassidy (3 points) at prop for her relentless work on defence and effective multiple hit ups; Kaiyah Atai (2 points) at second row for her defensive work on the edge and also consistent effort on attack creating speedy opportunities both for herself and others; and Laura Mariu (1 point) at prop for her inspirational work for the team in both defence and attack.

Please come out and support our Tony Murray Roses team as we take on local rivals Ponsonby Ponies in the curtain raiser Premier Fox men's game at Grey Lynn Park #2, at 12.45pm

The Richmond Rovers Rugby League club has today announced the renewed alliance with Waterview Laundromat as a minor sponsor of the Richmond Premiers.

Waterview Laundromat, who have a historic relationship with Richmond Rovers rugby league stretching back over many years, have re-signed a new one year agreement that will see the Richmond’s Premier team proudly sporting the Waterview Laundromat logo on the Richmond Premiers playing strip.

Richmond Chairman Nigel Vagana stated, ‘’We are delighted to re-join forces with an iconic Auckland business such as Waterview Laundromat and thrilled that they have committed to being associated with the Richmond Premiers in their Fox Memorial Shield competition quest. We’re really excited about continuing this relationship with a long-time supporter of our club."

"The Premier team is well represented with a number of players training with or having been involved in the Junior Warriors Development team. The club as a whole is evolving with junior and senior player participation at the Richmond club on the rise. We look forward to continuing our great form and with Waterview Laundromat in support of our Premier club team we believe our club will continue to compete in the toughest grassroots competition in New Zealand –the Fox Memorials shield competition in 2022.”

The Richmond Rovers club has been a part of the Auckland’s fabric for over 100 years, with Waterview Laundromat on board this commitment clearly highlights Waterview Laundromat’s loyalty to the region and its premier sporting code.

Waterview Laundromat Business Manager, Divesh Kumar noted the sponsorship further cemented Waterview Laundromat’s commitment to the region and would help grow awareness of the brand across Auckland.

“As Waterview Laundromat’s local supplier for everyday laundry services we’re passionate about our community and making it a strong, vibrant place for us all to live in. Our sponsorship of the Richmond Rovers club and Premier team is proof of this commitment.”

“We’ve been the sponsor of the Richmond Rovers Junior club over many seasons so continuing to sponsor the Richmond Premiers really was a natural progression. We’re proud to be associated with a strong performing organisation like the Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports club and we’re looking forward to cheering on our team this season.” Divesh Kumar further stated. 

Auckland Rugby League club the Richmond Rovers today announced that LJ Hooker Ponsonby has renewed major sponsorship for the 2022 season as sleeve rights of the Richmond Rovers Premier Team.

The partnership complements the real estate’s relationship with Richmond members who are influential community-engaged residents supporting the first grade side of a Fox Memorial first division team. It also builds on the company’s role as preferred real estate agent for the local Grey Lynn, Ponsonby and Western Springs area which many club members reside in.

Announcing the sponsorship, owner Steven Glucina said backing the Richmond club was a great alignment for the real estate agent where Glucina has been major sponsor of the 2011-2012 Richmond Junior Academy, Richmond’s 2013 Championship Under 20s and the Premier team since 2014.

“Through our partnership with Richmond, the LJ Hooker Ponsonby logo will appear on the Premier team’s playing jerseys, as well as other official team apparel and ground signage at Grey Lynn Park for the 2022 season,” Mr Glucina said.

Richmond club members and supporters can also expect to see plenty of the LJ Hooker Ponsonby brand during the season. As a long-time sponsor of sports across Auckland, LJ Hooker Ponsonby is known for supporting and enhancing spectator and fan experience.

Richmond Chairman Nigel Vagana said he was "delighted to welcome back a good community friend LJ Hooker Ponsonby to the sponsor family."

“The LJ Hooker Ponsonby partnership is a significant 2022 sponsorship agreement for the Richmond club and we welcome them back to the sponsor family. The LJ Hooker Ponsonby brand will take pride of place on both our playing and training apparel,” Mr Vagana said.

Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club is proud to announce the return of sponsor The Surrey Hotel in 2022.

The Surrey Hotel in Grey Lynn has realigned themselves with one of the oldest and largest sports clubs in the inner Auckland city region as a returning sponsor. It is exciting times for the club with the growth of rugby league continuing through the exposure of its players represented in the Vodafone Warriors and International rugby league teams (including woman's grades). This relationship was forged in 2013 when Richmond celebrated its 100th centenary year over the Queen’s birthday weekend. Since then both the Richmond club and The Surrey Hotel have enjoyed many events including Richmond Senior End of Year Award Prize Giving evenings, social club events and Richmond Board meetings. 

The Surrey Hotel’s high profile sits comfortably with Richmond’s own profile within the larger Grey Lynn community. Club Chairman Nigel Vagana commented “it is tough for the Richmond Rovers club to maintain our high standards both on the field and off. The generous support of The Surrey Hotel allows us to continue our development. As a local sports club we are continuing to set a high benchmark for our club both on and off the field”. We can only do this off the back of generous sponsors. 

Denise King of The Surrey Hotel, added “The Surrey Hotel is delighted to be again partner with one of Grey Lynn’s, if not the greater inner city regions, most successful sports clubs which has had over 50 Kiwi International players developed from this local club. We see it as a great opportunity to assist the club with the development of their junior and senior players from the Richmond juniors ages five up to the Premiers as well as senior Masters (35+ year old) club members. The Richmond club is dedicated to making rugby league accessible and fun for everyone from the social player to those more serious”.

Over recent years the Richmond Rovers club has developed a strong and growing Richmond Junior Academy programme which assists younger players who show talent early on and helps them progress into potentially representing rep teams and maybe even New Zealand one day.