Rugby: Keeping it in the family

John (left) and Lee Piper at the Dunedin Rugby Football Club rooms earlier this week. Photo by...
John (left) and Lee Piper at the Dunedin Rugby Football Club rooms earlier this week. Photo by Linda Robertson.
The Piper family is holding court at the Dunedin club.

Not only is Lee Piper the Dunedin club chairman but his father, John, is now the club patron.

The family has been involved in the club for decades with father and son still keeping an active role, both on the sideline and in the clubrooms.

John (72) never played for the club but got involved when his son played for Dunedin as a schoolboy.

He has never left, carrying on virtually every role in and around Kettle Park in a 40-year period.

Piper sen has taken over from John Dowling as club patron this year.

''I've done just about everything there is. I've been the president, the club captain, been on the committee,'' John said.

''I do love it. We all work in together, in different areas all for the common good of the club. You always have your ups and downs over the years but everyone has the club at heart.''

The club was in good standing this year with four colts teams, he said.

Lee Piper became chairman of the club in 2012 and said the job was a busy one right throughout the year.

''I admire anyone who gets into sports administration. It's a tough gig and we are no different from anyone else. We just battle away,'' Lee said.

''We are having a pretty good season this year. The club has four colts teams which gives us issues around getting managers and coaches. But it is good to have strong numbers in the club.''

Lee (45) was unsure how long he would continue in the role but joked he first had to get someone to replace him before he stood down.

Dunedin will travel to Watson Park today to take on Harbour in the feature game of the round.

The first round of games finished last week with Southern leading the pack, closely followed by Taieri and Harbour.

Harbour has been on a roll and will be out for revenge when it takes on Dunedin tomorrow.

The Sharks just prevailed at Kettle Park on the first day of the season but may struggle to do the double as they have plenty of players out with injuries.

Harbour has been working well in the past few games and will want to consolidate its position in the top four.

Southern will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season last week but will have to be on its game against a resurgent Kaikorai side.

Kaikorai had a poor start to the season but has turned it round somewhat.

It still has hopes for a top-four finish but needs to claim a win from the likes of Southern if it wants a serious tilt at playoff action.

In other games, Pirates entertains Taieri, Alhambra-Union takes on University at the North Ground, and the Bert Hellyer Memorial Trophy goes on the line when Zingari-Richmond meets Green Island at Montecillo.

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