Paparua Prison officers & prisoners play in same league side

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 53

Paparua Prison officers & prisoners play in same league side

by Ressy J.T.K. Marafiaano

The United Rugby League team, is made up of prison inmates and prison officers from Paparua, some of who are very experienced rugby league players, right down to those playing rugby league for the first time.

Because of the turnover of players, nearly every Saturday sees a new player or two on the field. Several well known players have played for Canterbury and one of them was nominated for the Kiwi trials. Since training started in early March, only 8 of the squad remain with United. All the competition matches are played at the prison ground, as the team are not permitted to travel away from the prison.

Another problem faced is that some of the officers in the team, may be rostered on duty. This means the officer concerned must arrange a shift change with a non playing officer to enable him to take the field. This means that there are many more people involved in United team, than the thirteen who take the field with their burning ambition to win every game.

From the kick off at the start to the 1984 season we won the first 8 games, our aim has been to develop a sound winning pattern through a disciplined approach and a team effort. The team has had a much improved season on the last two, and is showing more maturity as the season goes by.

The highlight of the season so far is our win over last year champion’s Eastern Suburbs.

A number of players have shown marked improvement in their play during the season. The forward pack would be the smallest and lightest, in the competition, but they never stop trying and

the outside visiting teams respect and give credit where it is due. The backline has a blend of youth and experience, with some fast confident runners. It would be one of the strongest backlines in the competition. The United team is proud of its present placing as runner up to Linwood in the 1984 grand final premier reserve champion of champions.

Referees From the start of the season Mel Tehore, a prison officer was the coach and a most able one, a Canterbury representative player and a versatile player. A point in his favour was that he didn’t have to worry much about getting the players out to training runs, but his own enthusiasm was bound to draw a like response from them, anyway. He did a great job and so too did the two officers who played in the team. Stewart Wells was to play for the South Island and for the Kiwi team but owing to injury he was not selected and Huhe Mcmanus ex rugby footballer from the North Island also played. About two thirds of the players were Maori, quite a few of these were from the North Island.

Team spirit Pakehas and samoan prison officers made up the rest. They all welded into a side that pulled its weight as one and had an excellent team spirit. Facilities The facilities offered by United to visiting teams included excellent changing rooms and showers. All visiting teams are asked to partake in an ale or two at the officers canteen. Mr Leimon, deputy superintendant is the patron, Mr Mannix is the manager.