It all began with milk-can meetings in the old Hautapu dairy factory. 

In 1903, a group of men sat in the old bacon curing room in a circle on milk-cans as the first meeting of the Hautapu Rugby Club began.

More than 100 years later, the Hautapu Sports Club has become one of the strongest and most respected clubs in the Waikato. Sporting over 1,600 active playing members, the club took off in 2021 when local primary schools stopped offering many winter sports and
the club welcomed hordes of new members with
open arms.

Its continuous growth has reinforced its position as one of the biggest multi-sports clubs in the district.

From rugby beginnings, today the club caters to men, women, young adults, and children who want to play rugby, netball, touch and hockey. 

Club milestones

1918: The club was reformed after the First World War in 1918.

1928: The club celebrated the arrival of outstanding administrator and personality Tom Turnbull.

1948: The club’s first All Black and club member Keith Arnold was made Waikato captain.

1968: The club established itself in the Waikato-wide competition.

1988: The club won the Waikato third division championship.

1998: The club triumphed in the Waikato first division championship for the first time.

1998, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2023: The club has won Waikato Premier A Breweries Shield Championships. 

More than a sports club

Hautapu Sports Club is more than just a sports club – it’s a place where the Cambridge community comes together. 

Whether it’s children learning new skills on Saturday mornings, supporters coming down to cheer on our premier rugby team, or community groups using the facilities for their cultural, craft and sporting activities, there is always something happening.

Hautapu is a hub for connection, with opportunities to coach, volunteer, or simply enjoy the camaraderie that comes from being part of something bigger. 

Hautapu Sport General Manager Olivia Scott says the club has far-reaching ties with many different areas of the community.

“Our partnerships with local organisations mean that the club and fields are often buzzing with events like markets, gypsy fairs, colour runs, school holiday programs and various sporting events.

Everyone is welcome here and we love to see Hautapu playing an essential part in keeping the community connected and thriving,” says Scott.

Intertwined with the community

The clubs’ volunteer and community support is outstanding, with an incredible volunteer army generously giving their time. The more than 300 established volunteers across coaching, managing, umpiring and refereeing, club functions and grounds, are the engine room of the club.

Many local businesses continue to support and make significant contributions and the club has strong partnerships with community groups such as the Cambridge Lions Club, Interlock NZ Trust and Regional Idea Services IHC Kapa Haka who utilise their facilities regularly.

Rugby

Hautapu is one of the leading rugby clubs in the Waikato region and has been a training ground for numerous players who have represented their province and country. Many of these players have gone on to become contracted Super Rugby players and even All Blacks. Most recently, Luke Jacobson was named in the All Blacks squad for the 2024 Bledisloe Cup match against Australia. Hautapu now also offers a senior women’s rugby programme.

Netball

The Club gives players the opportunity to play senior netball at different levels from social to competitive: Premier Women’s, Premier Reserve and A Grade. The competition and grades are administered by Cambridge Netball Centre (CNC) and teams play at the St Peter’s School indoor gymnasium and at the Cambridge Netball Centre in Scott Street, Leamington.

Touch

Mixed social touch and junior touch modules run over the summer months on Friday nights at the club grounds, which sees over 500 keen touch players of all ages turning out for their teams. 

Hockey

The club has recently offered a senior men’s and women’s hockey programme. The decision to field senior teams follows the rapid growth of junior and intermediate hockey programmes which the club have been running over the past three years.

Junior sports

Since 2021, Hautapu Sports have been a key provider of sports activities for children and as a club subscribes to the Sport NZ Balance is Better philosophy - firmly believing that for juniors it’s all about playing and enjoying sports with your mates. 

Junior sports include:

• •Hockey (years 3-8)

• Netball (years 0-8)

•  Rugby (years 0-6)

While the club has been highly successful on the scoreboard across all sports, the clubs’ environment and reputation has been the catalyst to growth in numbers that has continued to grow at steady levels across the majority of sports. This is especially evident with the next generation of athletes through junior sport.

The club is located centrally at 8 Laurent Road, Cambridge, and the clubrooms are available for private hire, and come complete with a stage, overhead projector, extensive parking and access to a licenced bar.

Visit their website  www.hautapusports.co.nz to book.

The club continues to welcome new members, if you are interested in joining as a player, coach or volunteer, get in touch with admin@hautapusports.com.