One year on from the loss of their team mate Tere Livingstone – aka “Ted” – the Pāpāmoa Bulldogs club is hosting a rugby league festival to share the game they love and raise concussion awareness.

Next Saturday, June 8, Gordon Spratt Reserve will be a hub of sports, with the Pāpāmoa Bulldogs running three senior rugby league games.

The match balls and a karakia will be presented by Ted’s whānau at 12.50pm, before kicking off at 1pm.

“We want to celebrate his [Tere’s] legacy and also sport in this community,” says Pāpāmoa Bulldogs chairman and rugby league player, Anthone Sims.

A tough year 

It was June 10 last year when Tere was critically injured on the field while playing for Pāpāmoa Bulldogs during a shield rugby league competition at Tauranga’s Mitchell Park.

The 32-year-old subsequently passed away five days later at Waikato Hospital with scans revealing a major brain injury.

“Last year was tough… we lost a couple of players because they couldn’t carry on and our season was more focused on mental health,” says Anthone.

The team is back in full force for 2024′s games however, with unfinished business, says Anthone.

“This year we’re back on board and pretty much giving it our best shot on and off the field. We’ve just got to keep going.”

Support and connection

Anthone says one of his main hopes for the June 8 festival is to promote rugby league as a community sport.

“It’s not always a bad sport.

"There’s always a lot of manaaki/support and whakawhānautanga/building connections included too.

"We’re trying to get more people down to come watch and support the game in general.”

At 1pm on June 8, the Pāpāmoa Bulldogs will verse Forestland Falcons, while the cousin-like club The Tauranga Whalers will play Tauhara te Maunga. Then at 2.30pm in the premiere grade Mangakino Hawks and Forestland Falcons will battle it out.

“New Zealand Rugby League will also be present to help facilitate the day, so it should be a good opportunity for all people to get involved.”

Concussion awareness 

The event will also raise awareness about concussion, says Anthone.

He believes the best way to reduce concussion harm is by players having body awareness on the field.

“The main issue is trying to teach the right technique, but sometimes it just happens when there’s a lot of close contact or friendly fire.”

After Tere’s passing, Anthone says there was “definitely a wake-up call” in the rugby league community.

“Each game is video recorded since Ted [Tere] because it gives insurance on any issues that can occur, just so there’s video proof behind everything.

“There’s been a shift in knowledge because you also make the players and aware, not just the managers.

"Clubs receive a booklet that gets handed out now so more people are aware of what the signs of concussion are and how to treat it. In saying that, we have more first aid on the side-line as well.”

Fundraising 

Amongst the sport on June 8 there will be food stalls, fundraising, raffles and apparel to give support to Tere’s family.

“We are really fortunate that Ted’s family are supportive of us and happy to be a part of the weekend too.

"We have some great volunteers in the club as well helping with the day.”

Pāpāmoa Rugby Club and Pāpāmoa Football will also be playing games on the day.

“Gordon Spratt Reserve as a whole is going to be really buzzing with sport… it’s going to be great to see,” says Anthone.

“I keep in contact with the rugby and soccer chairmans as well to ensure we have a smooth day as a community.”

The rugby league games will be played on fields three and four - the back fields towards the college - at Gordon Spratt Reserve from 12.50pm on Saturday, June 8.