According to a 1980s Levin Jubilee publication, the first sports centre at 313 Oxford Street opened around 1937 and passed through various owners until Rex Cederwall bought it in 1962. He in turn sold it in 1969. In 1981 the business was still trading, but in a different location.

A common saying in 1960s New Zealand was that the country was build upon 'Rugby, Racing and Beer'. The number of pubs and sports centres in 1960s Horowhenua seems to support this assertion and MAVtech holds an old music record based around these three 'past-times'. 

Little surprise that rugby was one of the sports pictured (along with soccer) with other sports having a bullet point only.

This photograph was taken during a very cold morning in June 2022 by local photographer Jacob Brookie. It was taken in the Easton Park sportsgrounds at the back of the Foxton Pools, looking towards state highway one. 

Jacob used a 1990s Seagull 4A camera to take this photograph. The Seagull was a copy of the Rolleiflex camera and was basically unchanged since the 1960s and was made well into the 21st century. During the Cultural Revolution, having one of these cameras in China meant that you were a trusted state photographer (very few owned cameras in China at the time). However, Jacob bought his used online for $90.....

Cinema advertising slides were usually shown in theatres at the end of the intermission ('God Save The Queen', a newsreel and a sports feature were often featured before the film). But 'advertising' wasn't just for local businesses- local clubs and groups had messages screened alongside official government messages and ads for upcoming features the theatre was screening.

This slide is advertising an athletics day in Foxton's Victoria Park. It dates to around the 1950s/early 1960s and is now a glimpse into what early evening entertainment looked like before television.....

Keith Robinson and Henry Robinson Henry dressed in racing silks.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Photo appears to have been glued in an album and removed.

Penciled on back: “Harry Whibley”

Five boys with cricket gear standing in front of house in Vogel Street, c.1920. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Unknown, Brian Clayton, Harry Wibbley, Hughie Curran, Unknown.

1 B&W photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

names on reverse of photograph

Foxton Marching Team 1947. Those in the photogrph are Z Betty, Audrey Burr, Joyce O’Rielly, Shirley Thompson, Anne Merriman, Dell Haycock, Pam Marshall, Joan Mounsey, Heather McKenzie. The male coach at the right of the photograph is unidentified.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

names on reverse of photograph

Foxton Marching team in 1940s Those in the photograph are from left to right:-

Back Row:- Zoe Calder, Beverly Barron, Francis Corlett, Dorothy Jackson, Marge Haycock, Melva Reid.

Front Row:- Marge Podmore, Joan Goodwin, Evelyn Podmore, Melvie King.

The coach is Trevor Terry and the mascot is ? Johnston.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Ten scullers and an official pose during the Manawatu Sculling Handicap 1909.

Photograph is in fair condition – torn at edges

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Show jumping at the Horowhenua A P& I Show on 23rd January 2000

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Saturday morning schoolboy rugby at the Showgrounds, Levin. Old Boys vs Shannon on 17 July 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Saturday morning schoolboy rugby at the Showgrounds, Levin. Old Boys vs Shannon on 17 July 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Celebrations after a win for the Capitol Penguins Under 10 team at the In Line Hockey Tournament at the AP&I Hall, Levin on 24 October 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Original photograph appears to have a tear in the bottom right hand corner which has shown up as a verticle line in this photograph.

A copy of a photograph of an early Levin Cricket Club. Twenty-nine unidentified men, most dressed in their cricket whites, sit and stand in front of a fence and some trees.

1 B&W photo print copy

Original photograph found in the 1979.127 collection

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Typed on piece of paper glued to back: “Bathing Belles.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Unidentified.”

Stamped on back with black ink – Horowhenua Historical Society.

Titled “Bathing Belles” this photograph shows three unidentified women standing in the sea with the water flowing around their ankles.

1 Colour photo print copy, mounted

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on one copy reads: “NEW YEAR’S DAY SPORTS, MANAWATU HEADS, 1916. This photograph, taken on the foreshore , shows the Methodist Hall, built in 1909 in the background.”

The last ten words have a blue line through them.

Two boys walk towards a number of cars and a crowd of people at the New Years Day Sports Day held at the Manawatu Heads 1916. In the background to the right is a wooden church with a steep iron roof.

Original print plus 2 x A3 copies

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Inscription on reverse reads: “New Years Day Sports 1916”

Crowd gathered at The Manawatu Heads for New Years Sports Day 1916. In the background are an number of houses and to the extreme right, a wooden church with a steep iron roof.

Original photograph plus 6” x 4” print.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Foxton B Grade Schoolboy Rugby Team 1977.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Foxton A Grade Schoolboy Rugby Team 1977.

Two copies.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Foxton Schoolboy Rugby Reps 1977.

Two copies.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Foxton A Grade Schoolboy Rugby Team 1977.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Foxton Under 20 rugby team 1977. Those in the photograph are from left to right:

Back Row: P Thorby, H Kimura, M Kuiti, W Winiata, S Coley, M Graham, V Ellwood.

Middle Row: B Laursen, (Coach), J Whakatihi, Albert Kimura, P Te Tau, Alex Kimura, D Christiansen, W Green, (Coach)

Front Row: J Fulton, R Skipper, K Kuiti, M Robinson, R Wilson.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Selwyn Simcox’s Cricket Eleven – December 1927 – January 1928. Those in the photograp are from left to right:- Back Row: J MacKenzie, R W Barton, J E Giesen, D S MacKenzie Centre Row: B R Lambert, L J Hunter, F S Simcox, C R Spackman, J Varnham Front: F Phillips, H Bull

1 B&W photo print copy (Original photo Thompson House)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Netball at Donnelly Park on 24th July 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Players and supporters at the netball courts, Donnelly Park, Levin on 24th July 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Netball at Donnelly Park, Levin on 24th July 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Saturday morning rugby at Playford Park on 12 June 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Inscription on reverse reads: “Mr W G Clark on far right, next to him Mrs Edith Clark.”

Mrs Lett, dressed in a light dress with a white blouse fastened with a cameo brooch underneath, over which she is wearing a black jacket with a small brooch on the right lapel, and a black hat with a light coloured bow in the centre front, sends down a bowl while standing on a large mat. To Mrs Lett’s left is an unidentified balding man who is dressed in bowling ‘whites” and a dark blazer with a number of badges on the left lapel, and is holding a handbag (possibly Mrs Lett’s). To his left is Mrs Edith Clark, daughter-in-law of Mrs lett, dressed in a light coloured two piece outfit and a hat with a small brim. To her right is Mr W G Clark, eldest son of Mrs Lett, who is dressed in bowling “whites” and a dark blazer with an RSA monogram on the pocket. A number of men and women in bowling clothing watch in the background.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Black and white photograph.

Written on back – Craig Vertongen

Written on blue paper attached to back – M/H C

Craig Vertongen in cricket whites, 1980’s-90’s.

Black and white photograph.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Saturday morning rugby at Playford Park on 12th June 1999

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Black and white newsclipping.

Written above newsclipping – Gay Boy – winning at Trentham 1936

Written below newsclipping - Trainer – J. Proctor Owner – Dick Heppner. Jockey – W.J. Broughton.

Racehorse (No.11) ‘Gay Boy’ winning at Trentham, 1936. details attached to ste picture state :- “Trainer – J. Proctor. Owner – Dick Heppner. Jockey – W.J. Broughton. 2nd – (No.5) ‘Davolo’ ridden by T.J. Ellis.”

Mounted black and white newsclipping.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”