"Visit to graves of founders of New Zealand rugby to commemorate 150 years since the game was founded in Nelson, on May 14, 1870"

Object type

Multi page

Description: Clive Akers wrote this manuscript to be used as a handout to media, descendants etc who joined the tour which didn't happen because of Covid. It was intended to visit Drew at Terrace End, Monro at Kelvin Grove and Tennent at Old Gorge Cemetery near Woodville, followed by a light lunch at Wharerata then visit Craiglockhart (Monro's former home).

While the programme did not happen as planed they did lay wreaths at the grave sites with descendants represented at each but kept to the rules of no more than 10 at each site.

Alfred Drew, Charles Monro and Robert Tennant were all pivotal to the introduction of the game of rugby to New Zealand. All were Nelson footballers but ended their days living in the Manawatū.