It’s uncommon for people to commit to one place or cause for long these days – the Bourke family have been involved in Hautapu rugby for six generations.
Three generations of the Bourkes at Hautapu – Harper (from left), Kevin and Cam. Photo: Joe Bourke
The family have provided players and administrators to the club and region for more than 107 years.
Harper, 17, became the sixth generation to play senior rugby for Hautapu.
He made his debut for the Hautapu colts’ side against Te Awamutu Sports earlier this season.
Harper has also kitted up for the premier B side and against Hamilton Old Boys, his 48-year-old father Cam came out of retirement to join him.
“I’m very proud to continue the legacy our family has had at Hautapu. One day I’d like to replicate what my dad and uncle have accomplished by playing for the premier A team and winning championships,” Harper said.
“They might have to name the club’s bar after my grandad too.”
Harper’s grandfather Kevin “Bourkey” Bourke said his great grandfather JJ Bourke was the first connection to the Cambridge-based premier club.
The 1918 Hautapu juniors team containing Tom and Leo Bourke. Photo: Supplied
After WWI, a 1918 Hautapu juniors’ photo was the earliest found with the Bourke name in it – a legacy which is still in motion.
“JJ was a coach for a long time. My grandfather Tom senior had four brothers. Dan, Leo, Bill, and Jack. They all played for the seniors in 1919,” Kevin said.
“Leo could have been an All Black, but he broke his leg a week before the trials.
“There was a big Bourke farm at Hautapu that got split up between the brothers, but I don’t’ think there’s any left now.”
Bill, Dan and Leo represented Waikato in the 1920s, while Leo also played for Taranaki.
Several Bourke cousins have gone on to higher honours in the last century including 2010 Māori All Black and former Japan Sevens player Colin.
Tom senior played for Hautapu from 1918 to 1933 and coached club teams until 1950.
“Then my father, Tom junior, played from 1944 to 1952 and was the club secretary, but he kept breaking his collar bones,” Kevin said.
“My granny wasn’t a very good driver and they had this old Chrysler. Dad had broken his collar bone and Grandad was milking the cows. Granny had to take Dad to the doctor.
“Near the rugby grounds, she hit a bump, he fell off his seat and broke his collar bone on the other side.
“Dad couldn’t play anymore, then he was involved with the Cambridge sub-union for many years and was vice president for a long time.”
Tom junior went on to manage and select Waikato under-16 and under-18 sides, before becoming training manager and manager for Waikato when George Simpkin was the coach.
“He had a big innings through rugby. He was a bit of an icon at Cambridge through rugby.
“I don’t know what the story was, but he finished up as the Ngāruawāhia Rugby Club patron.”
Kevin was next to don the Hautapu strip.
He played from 1970 to 1974, when he broke his hip.
Transitioning into coaching, Kevin oversaw the club’s under-19 team for five years from 1977.
“I coached the under-21s for two years after that,” he said.
“In 1986, I started playing for the Hopefuls (over-35 grade) and I was a player/coach for them for six years, I started playing again. We won the championship in 1990, so I was chuffed about that.”
Three generations of the Bourke family – Cam (from left), Kevin, Joe and Harper. Photo: Supplied
Kevin’s sons Joe and Cam both played about 150 games for Hautapu across several teams.
“Joe, my youngest son, started in 2000 and played more than 100 games for the A team.
“He’s had a pretty good career and still wants to play now and again. He played for the Hopefuls as well.”
Joe also played for the Hamilton Boy’s High School first XV, Waikato secondary schools, Waikato colts and Waikato B.
Kevin’s oldest son Cam started his senior career in Auckland and the North Shore before returning to Hautapu in 2010.
He played for the A and B teams, winning the 2016 B championship before going on to coach the side.
“I’ve been pretty lucky. Both of my boys, Cam and Joe, escaped serious injuries, so that’s why they were able to play for so long,” Kevin said.
“I played until I was 42 but Cam played the other week alongside Harper and he’s 48. He broke my record.”
Now it’s Harper’s turn to make lifelong connections and add to the vast family legacy at Hautapu.
“I’m pretty proud to be honest. I was really chuffed when he came out for his first game,” Kevin said.
“I bloody near had tears in my eyes. My dad used to watch my boys play all the time and now it’s my turn, watching my grandson.
“I’m not a cry-baby sort of person, but it was a bit of nostalgia. I just wish Dad was still there to see it.
“I’m really pleased Harper is giving it a go and I think he’ll stay. He’s got to, he’s a Bourke – he’s got to carry on.”
Harper Bourke makes a break for Hautapu. Photo: Jane Thompson
