Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Western Bay sport is built upon the huge number of volunteers who administer the clubs and organisations, coach and manage the myriad of teams and generally support their chosen sport in a huge variety of ways.

While the vast majority come and go as circumstances change and in most cases children no longer need their parents support as they take charge of their own lives – there are number of dedicated volunteers who sign on for a lifetime.

One such dedicated Western Bay of Plenty volunteer sadly passed away last week. While Michael Rawiri held the official position of President of the Arataki Sports Club, which started out as the Arataki Rugby Club, he was so much more to the club located on Grenada Park.

'Big Mike” was a man of not only big stature but a huge heart and empathy for his people.

There were few that came into contact with Michael that weren't touched by his mana and love of the Arataki community. Michael Rawiri was there right from the start in the early 1970's, when a group of Arataki locals decided to establish a rugby club in their patch.

While Arataki didn't receive universal approval from some of the other clubs in the region, the new side quickly made its mark in the then Tauranga Rugby Union competitions. Players in the first teams to wear the Arataki uniform, included George Murray, Doug Baker, Dennis Green and Max Sabin along with others such as Blackie McDonald, the Stockman's, Wayne Chase, Bob Oates and many more too numerous to name.

Michael was a long-time advocate for the Arataki Sports Club and played a big part in the re-establishment of clubrooms at Grenada Park.

Led by Michael, the Rawiri family was a driving force in junior rugby at the club and the majority of today's senior team players have come through from the Arataki junior ranks.

Through thick and thin 'Big Mike” was always there to support his team and when they won the Baywide Division One title in Rotorua a few years ago, he was the proudest man in the Bay of Plenty.

While the Arataki Rugby fortunes have had a roller coaster ride in recent seasons, the loyalty and support of Michael never wavered. There were plenty of tasks and jobs around the club that he just got on and did.

One such small task was ringing the local rugby results coordinator each Saturday that his beloved team played, no matter the result.

Just two weeks ago Michael was on sideline at Blake Park, when Arataki continued their long time rivalry with Mount Maunganui. The Western Bay competition game, again provided of plenty of smiles on Michaels big face, when Arataki won the battle of attrition with the Mount second fifteen 10-8.

The respect and regard that Michael was held in, was on display at Grenada Park last Saturday when his casket was sideline as Arataki played Matakana Island. In front of what was described as the biggest crowd ever to congregate at Arataki headquarters, the home side played with passion and love for the big man, repelling the Islanders challenge 37-19.

Rest in Peace Michael Rawiri.