The Awatere Rugby Club, affectionately known as the home of the “Mighty Tussock Jumper,” is a historic, country rugby club based in Seddon, South Marlborough, New Zealand.
While Awanui holds down the Far North, Awatere represents the rugged, sheep-farming country of the upper South Island.
The Beginnings (1906)
Before a formalized club existed, rugged local station hands and shepherds from the vast Awatere Valley sheep runs (like Molesworth and Flaxbourne) would ride long distances on horseback just to play casual matches.
The official club history kicked off in 1906:
The Foundation Meeting: Local rugby enthusiasts gathered in the dining room of the Starborough Tavern in Seddon to officially form the Awatere Rugby Football Club.
The Colors: To reflect the surrounding South Marlborough landscape, the club adopted green and gold as its official colors—symbolizing the hills, tussock, and valleys of the Awatere region.
100 Years a Tussock Jumper
In 2006, the club celebrated its centenary milestone. To commemorate the 100-year mark, local author Cynthia Brooks published a comprehensive history book appropriately titled One Hundred Years a Tussock Jumper: A Centennial History of the Awatere Rugby Club 1906–2006.
The nickname “Tussock Jumper” captures the essence of the club’s identity—hardened, country players who grew up working the steep, tussock-covered hill country of the Marlborough interior.
Modern Era & Tasman Rugby
Historically part of the Marlborough Rugby Union, Awatere now falls under the umbrella of the Tasman Rugby Union (Mako region), which was formed in 2006 by the amalgamation of the Marlborough and Nelson Bays sub-unions.
Base: The club operates out of its clubrooms on Seymour Street in Seddon, directly across the road from their home field.
The Teams: Awatere proudly fields a Senior Division 2 team in the Marlborough competition alongside a vibrant JAB (Junior Advisory Board) framework that keeps the sport alive for local country kids up to Under 14 grades.
For over a century, the clubrooms have remained the vital social and community hub for the wider South Marlborough farming community.
