Tony Meachen made Life Member
Marist St Pats legend Tony Meachen was awarded Life Membership of the Club at tonight's Annual General Meeting. His citation was read by Tony Duffin and including some of the following comments:
'Tony Meachen joined the Marist St Pats Rugby Club in 1972 after leaving St Pat's College and featuring in the St Pat's 1st XV.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Brian Meachen, who played for the Marist Old Boys Rugby Club, Tony quickly established himself as a top rake within the Club.
Unable to play his preferred position as hooker in Premier grade rugby, Tony played for the Junior 1st side and won the grade in 1972.
Tony left the club in 1975 and joined the Athletic Club, where he played in his preferred position as hooker and vowed to return when MSP's incumbent hooker, and life member, Kevin Horan retired.
In 1977 Tony captained Athletic to a Jubilee Cup win, a feat he was to repeat when he rejoined MSP and captained the side to a Jubilee Cup win in 1984, indeed a rare feat.
Tony is a member of the 100 games club for the MSP Premiers, and in 1986 was awarded the W.M. O'Connor Cup for outstanding contribution for a club member.
He has represented his club with distinction playing for the Wellington Representative side in 1981 and 1982.
Coaching has always been at the top of the list when his competitive playing days were over, beginning as player/coach of the MSP senior B side in 1987, assisted by the late Wayne Gray...
Sevens rugby has also been at the fore front of Tony's involvement at MSP, culminating in coaching MSP's sevens sides in the 1980s and going on to coach the Wellington Representative Sevens side to a national title in 2002...
Following in their father's footsteps, sons Edwin and Valentine are playing for the Internationals and Premiers respectively. Tony;s brothers Ellis and Michael also played for the Club in the 80s...
Mr Chairman, I have much pleasure in proposing that Tony Meachen be made a Life Member of Marist St Pats Rugby Club.'
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