Ken Gray - Ericka Rere Legacy Project

We are on a mission at Paremata-Plimmerton Rugby Football Club Inc (PPRFC) to tell the story and struggle of 2 legendary PPRFC players, Ken Gray and Ericka Rere.

The Ken Gray story needs to be told, more about the integrity, character, and values, versus the rugby player, but this will be covered as well. We are trying to work on telling the story of Ken, retiring (At the peak of his career) in 1969 (Boxing Day), so he was unavailable for the 1970 tour of South Africa. He did not support Apartheid and took a stand, despite Māori still going, but classed as "honorary whites". This than gave momentum, to a movement in NZ, that peaked in 1981, when SA returned to play. (Time has proven Ken on the right side of history).

Ericka Rere, part of the trailblazing Kiwi Rugby women’s team of 1991, were not known as the Black Ferns, as they are today, and had no financial support for the first World Cup. In fact, players were asked to pay $5,000. Erickas Jersey, worn in 1991, in the first test, at the world cup for women's rugby, sits in our whare. The PPRFC women’s team won the 1990 comp in Wellington and 6 of that team, went onto represent NZ. Really want to show the struggle of these pioneers in women’s rugby and what they overcame.

The Jerseys need a clean, from professional textile expert, along with museum displayed framing. We will also be employing a researcher and writer to uncover as much of the story as we can and make sure its seen and heard for generations.

Stage 2 of this projects Givealittle page is here https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ken-gray-ericka-rere-legacy-project-stage-ii