Hawke’s Bay Primary Schools Rugby

The parent body behind the Ross Shield, and the governing body of primary school rugby in Hawke’s Bay.

Current Organising Committee

Patron: Bill Blake

Chairman: Mark Gifkins

Secretary/Treasurer: Andrew Dickson

Delegate-HBRU: Hughe Ede

HB Ross Shield Selector: Wiremu Pearson

  • Mark Gifkins

    Chairman

  • Andrew Dickson

    Secretary & Treasurer

  • Hugh Ede

    HBRU Delegate

  • Wiremu Pearson

    HB Ross Shield Selector

Hawke’s Bay Primary Schools’ Rugby

History of the Parent Body

This affiliated body of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union originated in a formal manner on 6 December 1990 following a meeting called by Dave Johnson and Errol Hantz.

The HBPSR created their Constitution, which was ratified by the HBRU, and a formal election of officers was held on 25 May 1992 with the following being elected:

  • Patron: Bill Mathewson

  • Chairman: Michael Taaffe

  • Secretary/Treasurer: Errol Hantz

  • Delegate-HBRU: David Johnson

The HBPSR is the parent body of the Ross Shield and has the following specific objectives:

a. to foster rugby in primary and intermediate schools throughout the HBRU district;
b. to encourage the game through tournaments by primary and intermediate schools representing districts in the HBRU;
c. to arrange the distribution of resources;
d. to liaise, advise and assist the HBRU on matters relating to primary and intermediate schools

There has since been a wide variety of tasks undertaken with considerable success, and it is believed that the interest, awareness and profile of the game has increased and been enhanced within the schools.

Many of the Hawke’s Bay youth have in some way been involved with many of the ventures such as:

  • Participating in the popular Wattie’s Barefoot 7’s tournament held in Hastings over 29 years

  • Receiving a free copy of the annual Junior Magpie magazine

  • Kicked or passed one of the many rugby balls that have been given to the schools

  • Had better coaching through teacher in-service days

  • Being selected for a district team for the Ross Shield Tournament

  • Been part of “Rugby Days”

  • Received rugby posters and booklets

  • Played in our new venture “Beach 5’s” tournaments

  • Regular publicity and profiling in the newspaper, radio and media

To enable the HBPSR to carry out these tasks a considerable amount of sponsorship has been necessary and grateful thanks go to our major sponsors over the years: Heinz Wattie’s, HBRU, 0800 Sunshade, Mipenco, Hawk Packaging, Pak ‘n Save Hastings, Stortford Lodge TAB, and our many advertisers. Their generosity and financial support has allowed us to continue to maintain and further develop our activities.

The Management Committee is deliberately small and this has increased its effectiveness but places considerable demands upon their time and energy. However, there is a large group of willing people called upon to assist with the carrying out of the activities.

They so cheerfully help the youth of Hawke’s Bay.

The present officers who have accepted the challenge of ensuring the Ross Shield and other school rugby activities are planned, organised and carried out are:

  • Patron: Bill Blake

  • Chairman: Mark Gifkins

  • Secretary/Treasurer: Andrew Dickson

  • Delegate-HBRU: Hughe Ede

Life Members

The following are elected Life Members:

  • Wairoa – Bill Blake 1994

  • Napier – Arthur Brown 2014

  • Hastings – Errol Hantz 2002, Michael Taaffe 2003, Mark Gifkins 2024

  • Central HB – David Schaw 2008, Tom Goodger 2019, Tony Lepelaars 2019

  • Dannevirke – Pat Walshe 1997

The following have been Life Members:

  • Hastings – J J O’Connor 1993, Bill Mathewson 1999

  • Central HB – Trevor White 1999

  • Napier – Dave Johnson 1999, Michael Combs 2000

All organisations need to progress, make improvements and change. Without this the spirit and quality would wither and die.

Ross Shield has been operating almost continuously since 1902 so it has seen many changes over those years that make it the memorable and strong tournament it is today.

Past innovations include:

Related Activities

The Emblem

In 1984 it was decided to create a more vivid impression to the public and place before them, and the players, a symbol that epitomised what the Ross Shield Tournament stands for. It was felt that a stylised emblem would fit this pattern and also perhaps be perpetuated in the future at successive tournaments.

Because that year was also a special year in Hastings, as well as for Hawke’s Bay Rugby, the Tournament Committee decided to arrange a re-union of ex-Ross Shield players and thought it fitting that this emblem be embroidered into cloth badges and presented to every participating player in the 1984 tournament.

The emblem was basically designed whilst sitting around a kitchen table and amid much discussion and drawing it was developed into its present form.

Being black on white it reflects the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s traditional colours and when printed on various tints of papers it could also symbolise the various Sub-Unions. The cloth badge has the five colours of all Sub-Unions incorporated.

The central feature is of course the shape which is indicative of the Ross Shield for which all players have strived so valiantly for since 1902 and will continue to do so in the future. Placed above the Shield is the unique Ross Shield cap, an item which is highly prized by those who gain one.

These caps have changed over the years due to different manufacturers and choice of colours. In 1944 no money was available for the usual caps, so Mrs Yule, the mother of one of the Hastings players, donated a black felt dress that was cut up and made into the Hastings caps, so the team could have their token of their selection.

The Central Hawke’s Bay cap has changed colour as has Dannevirke’s and some have changed shape to have a peak and a tassel. In 1996 the caps had the year and the emblem embroidered for the first time.

Placed prominently in the shield are the oval ball and the goalposts that clearly identify the sport with which the words “Ross Shield” are associated. On the left side of the posts are symbolic trees and bush representing the rural aspect of the province, and on the right side are symbolic factories and buildings indicating the towns and cities of Hawke's Bay.

So far we have found that the emblem has been readily recognised and has been prominently displayed and used in all promotional displays.

The Tie

A Ross Shield tie has also been designed and this very exclusive item is an attractive and easily identified piece of apparel. The emblem and the thin diagonal bands of the Sub-Union colours are repeated down the length.

The tie is only available for purchase by bone fide Ross Shield players, Managers and Coaches and evidence of involvement needs to be provided before it can be obtained.

The Flags

Fluttering gaily along the far touchline during the tournament is a set of specially designed and commissioned flags. They were first flown in 1995.

Each Sub Union district has their own flag featuring their colours and the printing of the Ross Shield emblem to indicate their participation in the week's activities.

Centred amongst them is the official Ross Shield flag in the traditional Hawke’s Bay colours and this now flies at all occasions that the Hawke’s Bay Primary Schools’ Rugby features or organises.

These flags are also used for march-pasts and other formal occasions.

Representative Honors

To recognise the players selected for the Hawke’s Bay Primary Schools’ representative team and to give them an everlasting memento each player is presented with a “Magpie” lapel badge and an extra black and white tassel for their cap.

The “Magpie” badge has been presented since 1990 and the extra tassel since 2010. Both of these items are unique to the Ross Shield tournament.

Barefoot 7’s

It continues to be a success story from the time it commenced twenty-nine years ago with just 12 schools prepared to enter in 1986 and it has continued to grow in size and participation till this year it reached 68 schools entering 233 teams.

It is a promotion and celebration of junior rugby held at Hastings Boys’ High and Akina Park in May of each year. It suits the school calendar and its major purpose is to encourage children to enjoy rugby and involve many of those who not usually play in the official competitions on Saturday.

When you consider the travel of huge distances just to get to Hastings for their promised four games it gives evidence of rugby still having a popular place in the sporting programmes of Hawke’s Bay schools.

Rugby Ball Distribution

Over many years the HBPSR has been trying to support the game in schools by providing a rugby ball to selected schools. A selected group of 25 schools has been made each year since 1990 and a sponsored ball has been delivered for the pupils to punt, placekick, drop kick, spiral into touch, pass, dummy, drive forward, maul scrum over, ruck, wrestle and tackle for.

Digital Archive & Website

The new digital Ross Shield website stands as both a living archive and a guardian of heritage. It has been purposefully designed to safeguard historical artefacts, preserve treasured documents, and provide a home for the many stories that make the Ross Shield so significant. Through careful curation and digital accessibility, this platform ensures that the achievements, records, and memorabilia of past generations are not lost to time, but instead remain accessible to all who wish to engage with the tournament’s proud legacy.

Principal Sponsor