Culture counts here
How does a small rugby club on the South Island’s east coast win Club of the Year in the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Awards?
According to NZR, it came down to the little differences that make a big impact.
While Waimate Rugby Football Club might be regional in size, its leadership has never been content to sit back or cling to outdated ideas of what a rugby club should be.
We decided to take a closer look at what sets this club apart and the work that led to national recognition.
This award belongs to everyone
Pictured left: Matt Hayman and Jeremy Dyson with the NZR club of the year shield. Pictured right: Waimate rugby in action. Photo: Garry Drake.
According to club captain Matt Hayman, the award belongs to everyone.
“Anyone who’s ever been part of Waimate rugby - playing, supporting, volunteering, even buying a season pass - should be proud,” he says. “All the people who came before us shaped this club. It belongs to everyone.”
He’s quick to point out that many clubs across the country are doing outstanding work.
“This year we were the lucky ones,” he says “there are so many excellent clubs across the country that are worthy of the award.”
But when you look at the work happening on and off the field, it’s clear the club didn’t get here by chance.
Respect and responsibility
Pictured: Fabia Fox and Matt Hayman left, and Emma Pankhurst right at the Family Respect and Responsibility Day, 2019.
Matt’s been involved with the club for close to three decades - as a player, club president and now club captain. Over that time, he’s watched rugby change for the better.
Back in 2019, South Canterbury Rugby was selected to trial the NZR’s Respect and Responsibility programme - an initiative aimed at lifting standards of behaviour, tackling family harm, and reinforcing the idea that rugby clubs have a role to play well beyond the field.
Waimate didn’t just sign up - they led.
Organised by Matt and Fabia Fox, the club hosted the first Respect and Responsibility Day, took a visible stand against violence, and helped drive the message that better behaviour creates better communities. That work was formally recognised at the time, when the club received an award from NZR and a $2000 grant for its leadership in the programme.
It has since evolved into a Family Cultural Club Day - a celebration of rugby, families and the diverse cultures that shape the club and the people who call it home.
“Every day is family day now” Matt says. “It’s been really cool to see that positive change in rugby.”
Club culture
Pictured left: Matt Hayman and Jeremy Dyson with the NZR club of the year shield. Pictured right: Waimate rugby in action. Photo: Sharyn Cain.
Club president Jeremy Dyson been part of the club since his kids started playing nearly 20 years ago - as a parent, a coach, JAB president and vice president.
He believes he has big shoes to fill, crediting Matt and Chris Medlicott with doing a great job to get the club to where it is now.
"It's a really cool club, I really like where we are at. It's a big job to take on - taking over a winning recipe - but I've got to keep it going. Matt and Chris have set it up so well.”
Chris is credited by Matt and Jeremy with setting up an expectation around club culture - driving home the message that you need to be good players on the field but even better people off it.
Keeping the game going
Pictured left: Once a year, teenage players return to Waimate for Club of Origin Day. Photo: Garry Drake. Pictured right: Waimate players that helped make up the Roncalli Under 18 team.
Like many rural clubs, Waimate loses players to secondary schools outside the district. Each season, the challenge is finding ways to keep opportunities open for those who stay and making sure numbers don’t limit participation.
The solution has been collaboration. The club regularly works with other rural South Canterbury sides facing similar pressures, forming combined teams to keep players on the field. That’s included partnerships with Mackenzie and more recently Geraldine.
“Every year we’re searching South Canterbury for places our players can go,” says Matt “The focus is always on creating opportunities.”
From midgets to higher honours
Despite being proudly amateur, Waimate Rugby Club continues to punch above its weight in producing outstanding players.
Most seasons, the club has at least six players selected for the South Canterbury senior team. Last year, three players from Waimate were named in the New Zealand Heartland XV - an almost unheard-of achievement for a single club.
“We’re a stepping stone,” Matt says. “We might not be professional, but we offer life experience, development, and opportunities to take your rugby to the next level.”
That pathway starts young, runs right through the grades, and is supported by a mix of emerging players and older heads. Fathers and sons pulling on the jersey together isn’t uncommon - and it’s something the club values highly.
Challenges
The club’s faced its share of tough times in recent years - narrowly missing out on wins in the finals, injuries at critical moments, but more heavily, the loss of some great mates - players and stalwarts.
When it mattered the most the wider South Canterbury rugby community came forward to show their support with messages, phone calls and even standing shoulder to shoulder with Waimate players post game.
A reminder that while competition is fierce on Saturdays, the rugby community doesn’t stop at the district line.
This is us
Pictured left: Pictured: Club secretary Lisa Caird and partner Anthony Amato. Pictured right: The Caird family celebrate Tim’s 100th game. Photo: Sharyn Cain.
Ask anyone about the award and they’ll mention Lisa Caird.
It was Lisa who decided the club had what it took to have a shot at the award, and did the hard mahi on the application.
Lisa’s been part of Waimate rugby for as long as she can remember - from watching her brother on Saturdays, to pulling on the boots herself and playing through the grades. She feels grateful she comes from a ‘rugby family’.
In 2025, Lisa became club secretary, a role that gave her a new appreciation for what happens behind the scenes.
“There are some incredible legends who keep this club operating at such a high standard. Writing the nomination for Club of the Year was a chance to reflect on just how great our club is - and while I knew we’d be up against the best in the country, I thought, this is us.
Next season
Pre-season training kicks off on Tuesday 20 January, with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
This season, it’s looking like there’s a strong mix of younger players returning to the area and experienced players offering the kind of mentorship that only happens in a small club.
You don’t have to live in Waimate to be involved. There’s often a carload coming down from Timaru, and the club’s overseas connections continue to bring international players through. Some stay for a season, others end up making Waimate home.
And it works both ways. Plenty of Waimate players find opportunities to play overseas, tapping into the same global rugby network.
“Rugby creates community wherever you go,” Matt says. “If there’s rugby, there’s usually a place for you.”
The award is a history making moment and a permanent part of the club’s story. And it’s a great story - of a small club willing to lead the way, building standards and brilliance off the field, not just on it.
As training gets underway and the new season draws closer, there’s a growing sense of anticipation across the district. We wish the club all the best for the season ahead. One thing’s certain - the community will be on the journey with you.