In a celebration of its rich history, the Upper Clutha Rugby Club will host all its living past presidents in Wānaka this Saturday (July 1) when the club's premier team play Cromwell in the last round of the 2023 Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition.

Current club president Nathan Simon says he is expecting 18 former presidents to join him at the match, bringing together the influential figures who developed the club over the past 53 years.

“We’ve got people coming from all over,” he said.

“It’s been 23 years since all the presidents were together.”

Nathan said he is the 20th president of the club which was formed in 1970 when the Tarras and Wānaka rugby clubs amalgamated. 

Nathan Simon PHOTO: Jennian Homes

Upper Clutha’s first president Peter (PL) Anderson, who lives in Mount Barker, said the amalgamation just made sense.

“Two-thirds of the [Tarras] players were coming from Wānaka,” PL said.

“We used to have turnabout at home games and practices [with Tarras] but that's all gone by the board now.

“It’s [Upper Clutha] been a very good club and every president has had their strengths. They’ve all been very very good.”

PL said only one past president will not be joining them on Saturday. 

“John Reid has passed away. He was president, secretary, treasurer and life member,” PL said.  

“He ran Upper Clutha Transport which has been a major sponsor of the club for years.”

Rams head coach Garry-John Hape will be hoping his side can remain unbeaten in the final round-robin match of the Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition. PHOTO: Steve McArthur

The Presidents Day celebration coincides with the final round of the premier rugby competition with Upper Clutha looking to remain unbeaten this season and retain the coveted White Horse Cup for 2023.

The match kicks off at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club on Saturday (July 1) at 2.30pm.