WAINUIOMATA rugby is having one of its proudest years and the season has barely begun.
In the same year that Wainuiomata High School made its top division, the local club’s senior side has made the top division.
Wainuiomata’s top club side cemented its place in the top eight for a place in the Jubilee Cup, which it has never won, with a convincing win in the round robin match on Saturday.
Wainui thumped home to a 44-27 victory over Marist St Pats, with doubles to Michael Williams and Isaiah Mamea, and Tau Mamea and Greg Lealofi also crossing the line.
The match saw Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu back up from a gutsy 40 minutes on Friday night against the Western Force, to play a spirited second half for Wainui as they held off a late comeback from Marist, who scored three tries to save the rout.
“Piri is always an inspiration when he comes out to the ‘nui,” says Mike Kenworthy, who is the common denominator in Wainuiomata’s feat.
“He’s excellent as a motivator for the guys, but we didn’t need him to step us up today. We were fired up and ready to go.”
Kenworthy, who is head of the club team and Wellington Rugby Union’s development officer, says the achievements are impressive since they are in a typically league strong region.
He is linked with the school’s success because of his development role, in which he has introduced the Next Generation programme.
The concept helps Wainuiomata High students in their last two years at the school transition from the fast-paced level of first XV rugby to the physical level of senior club rugby.
The programme runs in the off-season and helps train players with basic and advanced skills, nutrition and weight training.
Kenworthy attributes Wainui High’s first XV success to its head coach AJ Amaru, who has been with the school for five years, because that kind of continuity helps in building a team.
“The time and effort that AJ puts into coaching rugby is what builds a team to be all they can be.”
Wainui High will be the only co-ed school in the premier one division this year.
Meanwhile, the senior club side Wainui has 29 points and if they get a bonus point win this coming weekend against rivals Hutt Old Boys Marist (on 30 points), they may end up finishing the round robins in second place.