This is the second in a two-part series by The Weekend Sun reporter Hunter Wells on a quiet, giving, achieving man who’s become a luminary around a suburban Tauranga sportsground. And beyond. Utter the name Michael ‘Mickel’ Rawiri and there is reverence, deep respect and love. And that’s what drives the man – his love for a community.

It was one of those serendipitous things. When Bayfair woman Aimee Murray had a vision for an Arataki women’s rugby league team, interest was at best lukewarm.

On the evening of the first practice, just nine starters answered her Facebook post for players. Also there that night was “Mickel” Rawiri, who was dropping off his daughter for the practice. He’s a world age-group touch champion, a revered touch and junior rugby team coach. A man with precious little spare time because he gives it all to others.

Moments later this family man was running drills, and a couple of weeks later he was fully ordained coach of the new Arataki Women’s Rugby League team.

“Out of love, love for the community,” said Mickel. “And it makes me happy.” And he can’t say “No”.

He doesn’t swear

And just a few months after levering them off the couch, Mickel had fashioned a disparate group of women – some of whom had never touched a football, didn’t know a dummy half from a stand-off – into a competitive, if not winning, unit.

“When a coach shows that much faith, you want to do your best for him,” said Murray. A good man who doesn’t swear to get results.

“I’d put $100 in the swear jar if I was proved wrong.” It seems coach Mickel only says nice things or positive things, or both.

Along with the anti-inflammatories, strapping and sweat bands, there’s chemistry with this team – oodles of chemistry, loyalty and love.

“Like no other team I’ve experienced,” said Murray. “Each of us has gained 23 new lifelong friends.”

Lifelong branding

And with lifelong branding – many of the sisterhood have been inked with the club’s bear claw logo, a nod to the pioneer spirit and a new culture.

They wear their hearts on their arms – the indelible Arataki brand. Photo / Supplied

Skipper Te Arna McGhie attributes it all to “a crazy coach ... A crazy talented caring coach”. The magician Mickel Rawiri.

“It’s because of him.” The all-round good fella.

“And it’s not just football advice,” said McGhie. “I go to him with life questions because he’s very considered, motivating and always says the right things. A wonderful, honest, genuine person.”

Royalty of sorts

The coach is a bit overwhelmed; he’s struggling with the accolades: “That is NOT why I do it. I just like to help. Simple.”

After footie practice, after life lessons, the help continues. He teaches them to drive.

“That’s why I am a driving instructor. That’s why I do my job. To help people.”

Born in Arataki, he lives in Arataki and lives by the name of Arataki – meaning “instructional path”.

Mickel is royalty of sorts, the Rawiri family being the unspoken first family of the principality of Arataki Park. It’s three football fields of public park, but more importantly a community backyard, a second home to generations of local kids who’ve played and stayed because they are loyal subjects, they belong here.

“With all our cousins and aunties and uncles, who aren’t our real cousins, aunties and uncles, but effectively are,” said Murray proudly.

Embedded on an island at the entrance to Arataki Park is a large upright stone memorial – it states: “In loving memory, Michael Dennis Te-Ruhi Rawiri (Big Mike)”. Mickel’s dad.

“A big man on many levels. And everything I do is modelled on this fella.”

The dynasty – Mickel Rawiri at the memorial to his Dad. Photo / Brydie Thompson

He and wife Patsy were at the club every day – he as treasurer, or president, or cleaner or maintenance man. Arataki’s Rawiri dynasty began right there.

“And I wave to him every time I drive in.,” said Mickel.

He’s phenomenal

“Often the sun was going down, the lights were coming on and we’d be playing outside. Then he’d take us home, feed us and all the other kids, and put us to bed. His house was everyone’s house. Like mine. Probably won’t get anywhere close to what he did for the community. But if I am headed down that path, I will be happy.”

Then in 2010 the clubhouse was gone. Burgled, vandalised, unsafe, flattened.

“We suffered,” said Arataki Sports Club president Billy Russell. “The worst time in club history.”

It could have been terminal, could have ended the club, except for redoubtable spirit: Rawiri spirit.

“They held on long enough for people to come home, come back to the club and we’re slowly rebuilding from the ground up,” said Russell. “A lot of aroha towards that family.”

And there will be another Arataki Sports Club. There’s a vision, there’s a plot of prime Arataki pasture, there’s a committee laying plans. And there’s a coach who last weekend was having his first free weekend in months.

“There are only so many people equipped to be a coach, only so many who can put their hand up,” said Ray Atkins of his mate. “And he’s phenomenal.”

Meanwhile, the “all-round good fella” has been thinking, “If I knew that would be my epitaph, if that was on my gravestone, then I would die a happy man.”