Pōneke Football Club

23/09/2026

Vale Trevor Giles and Bill Barrett ❤️🖤

Pōneke Football Club is saddened by the passing of two long-standing members of our Club community, Trevor Giles and Bill Barrett. Both made important contributions to Pōneke over many years, with Trevor coaching and supporting Club fundraising and building projects, while Bill represented Pōneke in our senior teams during the late 1960s and played representative rugby.

Our Club is stronger because of generations of people like Trevor and Bill who gave their time, energy and commitment to Pōneke. We remember them with gratitude and extend our aroha and condolences to their families and friends.

22/09/2026

❤️🖤 TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM ❤️🖤
Tom started his rugby journey with the Axemen at age 11 before moving on to Wellington College, where he played two years in the U15s, one year in the 2nd XV, and two years in the 1st XV. From there, he played for Otago University before returning home to Pōneke. His playing highlights include winning the 1st XV premiership at College, an Otago premiership, and consistently reaching Jubilee Cup semifinals and finals with Pōneke.
He transitioned into coaching in 2024, taking charge of the Prem 2s and the U85 national knockout team. High points so far include lifting the Ed Chaney Cup and reaching the National U85 Cup final in 2025 and 2026.
Tom joined Pōneke following his mates Scott and Cam Garvie, Rhys Jackson, Alex McIntyre, and Lance Purdie, while also knowing the legendary reputations of the Moananus, Richard Watt, and John Jackson. The club means everything to him, as there is nothing quite like bringing a group of like-minded humans together to strive for a common goal. He deeply values how the club lives its ethos: "You don’t just play, you belong."
His goal as a coach is for players to be brave, backing themselves, their skill sets, and their teammates to seize every opportunity. His core philosophy is simple: get great habits, build a great team and club culture, and enjoy being part of it. If those elements are nailed, the results will follow.
Off the field, Tom works as a town planner in consultancy. He is supported by his fantastic wife Hannah and their two daughters, Charlotte (10) and Maddie (7), who notably enjoy watching the Pōneke Women’s team more than any team he is involved in. He spends his free time chilling with his family.

22/09/2026

Huge congratulations to our Under 85kg players named in the Wellington Representative squad!

📍 Upcoming Fixtures:
• 3 Oct v Hawke's Bay (Napier)
• 10 Oct v Waikato (Taihape)
• 17 Oct v Manawatū (TBC)

Good luck to the whole squad!

15/09/2026

❤️🖤 TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM ❤️🖤
Jack brings a massive amount of rugby experience to the table, including playing ho**er/openside as Vice-Captain for the Harbour Hawks Colts (Dunedin), 80 games for the Ngatapa Senior Ones in Gisborne (50 as Captain, lifting the Lew Patterson Cup in 2008), plenty of appearances for the Ngatapa Prems (Lee Brothers Shield winners in 2008), and serving as Vice-Captain for the Poverty Bay Tuatara (Māori) in 2008/09.

On the coaching and management side, he’s guided the Wests Roosters U6s, Poverty Bay Māori, and the Pōneke Prem 2s.

Charmed by then-Club Captain Tom ‘Bullet’ Anderson to join Pōneke, Jack says, “This club has become my home away from home, there is mana oozing at the seams at Pōneke, and I’m honoured to be a part of that.”

His goal is to win the Jubilee Cup while reinforcing a culture centred on why we play for Pōneke: backing 'our boys' to believe in themselves and the jersey, helping them recognise their potential on and off the paddock, and being a steady voice of reason and a ready ear.

He lives by a few simple mantras: hit hard and hurt, defend like it’s the last tackle you will ever make, and no one gets left behind.

Off the field, Jack does everything for his wife, Maggie, and their two beautiful daughters. He claims to play terrible guitar, though he did score a 5:00 PM slot at Rhythm and Vines twice! Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brother, he also plays cricket for the Wellington Wanderers. For his day job, he looks after people as a life and health insurance broker.

Great to have you back in the mix for 2027, Jack!

11/09/2026

No one calls a Kim Lammers try like John Jackson

09/09/2026

📣 LOCK IN THE DATE 📣
Whether you are new to the game, leaving school or looking for a fresh start, come down and meet the team as we start our preparation for 2027.

07/09/2026

❤️🖤 TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM ❤️🖤
We featured 19 Pōneke Supporters of the Week over the Wellington Club season and we'll do the same or more next year. In the meantime our spotlight is on the coaching, managing and support teams for 2027.

Edwin Meachen has been appointed head coach for the Pōneke Premier team next year. Edwin’s rugby journey began at Pōneke as a four-year-old before moving to MSP as a junior.

A proud highlight was playing ho**er for the 1996 St Pat’s Town 1st XV Grand Slam-winning side. After a serious leg break ended his playing career, Edwin moved into coaching in 2007, going on to coach across U21, Senior, Premier Reserve and Premier rugby, with plenty of silverware along the way.

After three seasons coaching in Hawke’s Bay, he returned to Wellington and eventually found his way back to where it all began, joining Pōneke as Premier Forwards Coach in 2025 and helping the side claim the Hardham Cup.

Edwin's coaching philosophy is pretty simple: work hard, master the basics, build resilience and give players the confidence to express themselves and enjoy their rugby.

Away from rugby, Edwin is a family man, supported by wife Suz and children Emily, Daniel and Thomas. His parents, Tony and Rosalie, and his siblings Carmel, Edwina and Valentine, despite all having split allegiances across the eastern clubs, are still very supportive of each other.

Looking ahead to 2027, the ambition is clear: build depth, including developing our younger players, and a strong culture across players, officials, whānau and supporters, strengthen the connections across our senior teams and compete for trophies. And yes, the Jubilee Cup is firmly in the sights.

Great to have you back where the journey started, Edwin, you belong. 🔴⚫

06/09/2026

Not the result we were after yesterday, but still super proud of this group. An outstanding campaign again.
Massive congratulations to , one of the benchmark teams of 85s rugby, and deserved winners.
Massive thank you to Brad Roberts Photography for capturing these moments.

06/09/2026

It's time for action! Let's go Pōneke!

The Under-85kg National Club Cup comes to its thrilling conclusion ...

05/09/2026

Boys are on their way! Catch all the action over on the All Black YouTube our copy and paste the link!
https://www.youtube.com/live/bx1zQ2v77Yg?si=vaKoFGCntTKMa8ld