Mangere East Hawks
| File:MangereEastHawks.jpg | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mangere East Rugby League Club |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Coach | Alec Brown 2014 |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 2003 |
| Minor premierships | 1987, 1997, 2002, 2004 |
| Roope Rooster | 1989, 1998 |
| Stormont Shield | 2006 |
| Sharman Cup | 1975, 1982, 2012 |
The Mangere East Hawks are a rugby league based in Mangere, New Zealand. The Hawks compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.
History
The club was formed in 1963, the first fourteen junior teams took the field in 1964.[1] Before this, teams from the area had been attached to the Otahuhu club.
In 1969 the club won the Senior B championship and the Norton Trophy and were promoted to play in the Auckland Rugby League's premier grade the following season.
In 1971 the club was able to afford a $50,000, 6000sq ft club house which was built at Walter Massey Park, the clubs home ground since its foundation.[1]
The club adopted the nickname "The Hawks" in 1973, after forming a sister club partnership with the Ryde-Eastwood Hawks in Sydney.[1] They were one of the first clubs in Auckland to adopt a nickname.
In 1977 Olsen Filipaina became the first Hawks junior to represent his country and in 1978 the club, coached by Ernie Wiggs, made its first Fox Memorial grand final, being defeated by Otahuhu.[1]
OPn 29 June 1991 five of the Ropati brothers; Tea, Iva, John, Joe and Peter all played together for the Mangere East senior side.[1]
In 2003, the clubs 40th jubilee season, the Hawks win their first Fox Memorial title.[1]
Notable players
Other notable former players include;[1]
- Olsen Filipaina (1980-87 Balmain Tigers, Eastern Suburbs & North Sydney Bears)
- Joe Ropati (1986-89 Warrington Wolves & Manly Sea Eagles)
- Shane Cooper (1987-97 St Helens & Widnes Vikings)
- George Mann (1988-00 Newcastle Knights, St Helens & Leeds Rhinos)
- Tea Ropati (1988-98 Newcastle Knights, Auckland Warriors & Leeds Rhinos)
- Brian Laumatia (1995-97 Cronulla Sharks)
- Iva Ropati (1994-97 Parramatta Eels & Auckland Warriors)
- Lesley Vainikolo (1997-07 Canberra Raiders & Bradford Bulls)
- Jerry Seuseu (1997-06 New Zealand Warriors & Wigan Warriors)
- Ali Lauitiiti (1998-2014 New Zealand Warriors, Leeds Rhinos & Wakefield Trinity)
- Jonathan Smith (2000-01 New Zealand Warriors)
- George Tuakura (2005-07 New Zealand Warriors)
- Kim Uasi (2006-09 Tonga)
- Sam Moa (2008- Cronulla Sharks, Hull F.C. & Sydney Roosters)
- Sebastine Ikahihifo (2012- New Zealand Warriors)
- Mataupu Poching (2010 New Zealand Warriors)
- Nafe Seluini (2010-13 Penrith Panthers & Sydney Roosters)
- Peni Terepo (2013- Parramatta Eels)
- Agnatius Paasi (2014- New Zealand Warriors & Gold Coast Titans)
- Peter Leitch aka "The Mad Butcher" is a noted fan of the club.