Party planned as Marist Saints turns 100

March 13, 2018

Party planned as Marist Saints turns 100

Marist Saints will celebrate its 100th year next year. Photo: Supplied.

Auckland league club Marist Saints will turn 100 next year and is planning to invite former players like Sonny Bill Williams back to celebrate.

Marist Saints, founded in 1919, is one of Auckland’s oldest clubs and has produced many professional players throughout its time.

Every year the club fields 20 teams, most of which consist of talented junior players who will go on to play in the professional teams of New Zealand.

To mark the centenary, the club aims to hold a celebratory weekend in June.

Chairman Tony Laiman says a committee will be formed to plan the events of the weekend, and he hopes many old club players who are now professional, will attend.

“We are going to invite a lot of old boys, Sonny Bill, and lots of Kiwi players who used to play for the club."

The centennial year will bring a lot of people back to the club who will be able to reminisce proudly and share memories and achievements of the club.

“It’s pretty good - everybody’s excited,” Laiman says.

Prems player Laurence McFall, a club member for nine years, says the centenial year will be so special to many people.

“It’s a proud family club, and we’ve bred a lot of players out of here, too. It’s special as an active player,” says McFall.

Ex-player Francis Ekeroma, now a coach at the club is proud of his club. “What I’m most proud of in our 100 year history is the lives this club has impacted and our ability to be a relevant force in the Auckland Rugby League scene in all grades from mini to seniors.”

“After the centenial year we are wanting to develop the club more, getting it ready for the next 20 years," says Laiman.

The centennial celebration is planned for Queen’s Birthday weekend, 2019.

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