De Castro awarded life membership at HKRFU AGM
Long-serving Athletic RFC and Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union volunteer Gerald De Castro was presented with HKRFU life membership at Wednesday’s HKRFU AGM in Otaki.
HKRFU Chairman, John Cribb, and Athletic RFC Club Captain, Matt Easton, congratulated Gerald after he was presented his badge from fellow life member Kathy Grey.
In typical light-hearted Gerald fashion, his acceptance speech was filled with a story about his recent whitebaiting exploits. Gerald’s father, Kevin De Castro, was awarded life membership in 1980 which made Kevin and Gerald only the second father-son combo to be awarded life membership in the Union’s history. Bill Moynihan and Tom Moynihan were the first after being presented their life memberships in 1938 and 1970 respectively.
Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Officer, Corey Kennett, is extremely thankful to De Castro for his service as President and as a volunteer. “I’d personally like to thank Gerald for his dedication and hard work for our Union in being both a volunteer along with holding numerous roles. Gee is one of rugby’s good buggers and we’re hugely appreciative of everything he has done for rugby in our region.”
With countless years of hard work and dedication under his belt to not only rugby, but all sport in Horowhenua, Gerald finished his term as HKRFU President after being elected in 2017 and holding the mantle until the AGM. Errol MacDonald was nominated and elected to replace Gerald.