Hibiscus Coast Raiders


The Hibiscus Coast Raiders are a rugby league club based on the Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand. They compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition and between 2000 and 2005 were also involved in the Bartercard Cup competition.

History

The club was formed in 1982 by a group of players that included former Kiwi Ken Stirling.
In 1997 the club moved from its original location at Edith Hopper Park to Stanmore Bay Reserve.
Before Brian McClennan took over as coach in the late 1990s they were a third division side, but the club enjoyed success and growth to the point where in 1998, the Premiers won the Northern Regional Cup and we were invited to move up into the Fox Memorial Tournament. They were then invited to be part of the New Zealand Rugby League's new Bartercard Cup in 2000 and the club won the 2001 Bartercard Cup.

Bartercard Cup

The Raiders were invited to be part of the inaugural Bartercard Cup in 2000 and competed in the competition until they were replaced by Harbour League in 2006. Harbour League represented all of the North Shore clubs.
The Raiders missed out on a top five spot in their debut year but turned things around so much in 2001 that they dominated the competition, winning the Grand Final. They made the Grand Final again in 2002, losing to the Mt Albert Lions. They were never a major threat in the competition after this however, either bowing out in the first round or not making the play-offs at all. In a way they were a victim of their own success, many players were bought up into the New Zealand Warriors squad and their coach was headhunted by Mt Albert.
SeasonPldWDLPFPAPDPtsPosition Finals
2000227510544578-3419Eight )N/A
200121161474242531735*Minor Premiers Champions
200216110553637715922Second Lost Grandfinal
200316120457331925424Fourth Lost Elimination Play-off
2004163013266503-2376Wooden Spoon N/A
20051692551236215020Fifth Lost Elimination Play-off

*Two points for a bye awarded as the Ngongotaha Chiefs left the competition.

Notable players

Notable former players include; Shannon Stowers, Daniel Floyd, Karl Temata, Aaron Heremaia, Ben Te'o, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Odell Manuel and Shaun Johnson.

Life members

In 2011 the Raiders appointed the club's first two life members; administrators Ces Moyle and Owen Kirby.