From the beginning it is said the name Ngongotaha came from the discovery of the mountain by Chief Ihenga the great Maori explorer, Chief Ihenga accepted a drink of water from the calabash of the fairy women living on the mountain, when he drank the water a great fear fell over Ihenga, he fled in panic from the fairy people, it is believed to be from this incident the mountain got its name. The original blazer monogram of the Ngongotaha Rugby League Club depicts Chief Ihenga, the stream, and the calabash. Ngongotaha Rugby League club was first established in 1938, the club went into recess during the war years, then there were times when the club changed to Hui Mai, Awahou and Waitete. These were Marae based treams from Ngongotaha, eventually the club was re-established as Ngongotaha Rugby League. Over the years the club has seen many talented players, the most famous name associated with the club would be the Orchard brothers, Robert, Phillip, Eddie and John. Robert and Phillip represented NZ, Phillip has recently been inducted into the NZRL Hall Of Fame. Ray Turton is the longest serving member of the club with more than 50 years service. Ray still remains active by attending meetings and helping out with the famous Hangi Fundraisers. Ngongotaha Rugby League has in latter years produced many talented age group players - NZ 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s, Junior Kiwis, NZ Maori and NZ Kiwi (Mark Woods)
In the eighties 2 teams toured Australia under the guidance of Nick and Jenny Nahu who would become the backbone of the club. As coach of the club Nick took the 17s team to Australia in 1982 and 1984, both teams were unbeaten. The club grew in strength and numbers of teams, its strongest years were the late 80s and 90s, many of the players from the 17 year old touring teams went on to cub Premier grade as well as representing Bay of Plenty and NZ. All throughout its years the club never had its own club rooms, the committee would have to hire other club or hall venues for after match or club functions. In the 80s the committee formed a building fundraising group, they struggled to find a piece of land they could afford to buy, until the Rotorua District Council made the generous offer of the last section at Neil Hunt Park. This was an annual lease arrangement for which the members were incredibly grateful. Through lots of hard work and dedication the club rooms were built and at last we had a home of our own (no more carting our pots and dishes into someone else's buildings). Over the years the club room has been used for Weddings and other functions. It has recently had a makeover and is available for hire for functions, meetings and conferences (See Clubroom Hire page)
For the last 4 years a Junior team has traveled to Auckland to play a curtain raiser for the Warriors. We have teams that play in the Junior, Senior & Premier competitions. If you would like to join a team, please get in email, facebook or text/call the contact number. The Clubroom is for hire Seats 110 people comfortably, suitable for Weddings, 21st Meetings, Conferences.
