1980 – START OF THE BILL BARNETT YEARS
As Parklands progressed in its early years, home matches were at Queenspark – and they’re played there today. However, there were no changing rooms, so players often had to change in their cars. This wasn't appreciated by visiting senior players, and Bill Barnett recalls how Parklands RFC was seen as a “bit of a joke” at this time, because there was nowhere to change. We knew this was a problem, but the money was the barrier. Parklands management knew that if there was a changing shed and proper facilities, then the club would be taken more seriously. As of 1980, it had nothing of the sort.
In 1980, Bill Barnett joined Parklands RFC and was to serve the Club for the next seven-to-eight years. Until his departure in 1987, Bill watched his son Ray play for Parklands’ seniors, was Team Manager for the 2nd Grade seniors, and became President for four years. However, some would say his legacy was that he oversaw the largest capital project in the Club’s history; the Changing Sheds.
1982 – TEAM TOUR TO WELLINGTON
In 1982, Bill Barnett was the Team Manager of the Parklands 2nd Grade Seniors. The team had prepared for a massive trip to Wellington. The hope was that this Parklands team would watch Canterbury bring back the haloed “Ranfurly Shield.” The photo, below, shows the lads at Wellington Airport, upbeat and expectant for a Canterbury victory:
Thanks to Bill Barnett for donating the photo. History records a mighty, hard-fought match at 16-12 to Canterbury.
1983 – BILL BARNETT BECOMES PRESIDENT
In 1983, Derek Shearer handed over the Parklands RFC presidency to Bill Barnett. Almost immediately, Bill took the changing shed project by the horns.
Canterbury’s success in that massive 1982 Ranfurly Shield match led to success for Parklands. Throughout the three or four seasons that Canterbury had the shield, money flowed into the CRFU’s coffers. As a result, it had a good pot to hand out to its local rugby clubs for capital projects. Parklands’ key capital project was still the changing sheds. Bill Barnett lobbied the CRFU and built some relationships within the local Waimari Borough Council (as it was then). Bill walked the pavements and pressed the flesh, until the money and permissions came in. What is not generally known is that the money from CRFU was a loan, not a grant. So if Parklands RFC could be careful with the funds it had, monitor the building costs, it could minimise that debt to the union, and therefore minimise the monthly interest payments.
Fortunately, there was a wealth of trades expertise within the Parklands community, perfectly suited to the construction of the future changing sheds. One of Bill’s friends was a block layer. There were plumbers and electricians in the club. All these local tradespeople offered discounted services.
The biggest problem, in the construction of the changing sheds, was the laying of the power and the sewers. The distance from the utilities connections at Queenspark Drive was almost 100m. A deep conduit had to be dug from Queenspark Drive to the building site next to the tennis courts, at significant cost.
Chris Muir has fond and vivid memories of those days, when her late husband, Brian, played in the 1983 Presidents League. She has donated the picture you see, above, and remembers many of the characters well. Indeed, she’s kept her ear to the ground as to how the old team are, and WHERE they are:
• Paul “The Pom” Lawson was a close friend of Brian Muir. Paul was a former diver in the merchant navy.
• Rob Low (from the 1979 photo) is till in Christchurch, and Chris believes that Paul Lawson still keeps in touch with Rob, as they both live in Brooklands.
• Wayne Greenhalgh, sadly passed away just recently, in 2010.
• Vern McAllister went to live in Kaikoura, and he may be there still.
• Rex Wilson went to Australia, as did Rod Bailey.
• Brian Heney, the Coach, is in Woodend, Waikuku.
• Mark Cresswell, or “Cressie,” moved to Leithfield.
• Shane Kaui is still local. Chris believes that Helen Kaui is still active in Parklands RFC, or at least has been, recently. Chris thinks Helen worked with the club on the kids’ side of the club, rather then the seniors.
• Alec Cranshaw and Peter Cox were brothers-in-law. Peter still lives in Parklands in Anglesea Avenue
• Derek Shearer is not in the photo, but was involved in the team, and used to live in Inwoods Road.
• Barry Caldwell (from the 1979 photo) was the publican of Parklands Tavern – and that was largely the reason for the team meeting there. In these days, the tavern was unflatteringly nicknamed "The Sandpit."
Click on the photo to enlarge. Any familiar faces? Are you there? Is your DAD there? Are you still in contact with these former players? If you have a story to tell, please let us know on any of our contact details, here (click) or at the foot of this "decade."
1984 – THE CHANGING SHEDS' OPENING
In this year, 1984, the Changing Sheds were constructed and finished, next to the tennis courts at Queenspark Reserve. Finally, for the first time since its inception in 1977 the Club had a place where our teams and visiting players could shower, change, and have a base near the Club Rooms. The Changing Sheds still sits in the same place today — a stone’s throw from our Club Rooms at Queenspark Hall.
With a lot of pride, Bill Barnet formally opened the Changing Sheds. The photo, below, shows patron Bill Barnett “outside the new shower block.” You can see the original plaque on the changing sheds, which had to be removed due to continuous vandalism. The plaque was given to a club member for safe keeping - so safe, we've lost it!! If you have the Opening Plaque, or you know where it is, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us on parklandsrugbyhistory@gmail.com
Are you in this team photo? Is your DAD there? Are you still in contact with these former players? If you have a story to tell, please let us know on any of our contact details, listed below:
Follow Parklands Rugby Club today, largest family rugby club in Christchurch:
Web: www.parklandsrugby.co.nz
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parklands-Rugby-Club/122699381077111
Club Email: parklandsrugby@xtra.co.nz
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