Many Kiwis have made startling debuts in the test arena, but none other more emphatically than Ken Stirling in 1971. The Ellerslie and Auckland scrum-half walked from a muddy Carlaw Park as everybody's choice for Man of the Match after New Zealand had beaten Australia 24-3 in a one-off test match. Stirling shone out even in a great team display. Ken Stirling was a 78kg dynamo, scything down even the biggest of the Kangaroos forwards in a manner which had scribes comparing him with a motor-mower. In possession, his elusiveness, courage and football sense were just as evident and there was no doubt the No. 7 jersey would be his for seasons to come. Before that year was out, Stirling had been a star of the Grand Slam Kiwis. Having disposed of the Kangaroos at home, the Kiwis went on to win three-test series in both Britain and France. Stirling marked seven different opponents in those seven matches and outplayed them all. This slightly-built man took a battering in the process, without it noticeably affecting his performance. He had been hobbling around on crutches only a day or so before the first test in England; in the second test the renowned, but then ageing British half, Alex Murphy was reduced to knocking Stirling out with an illegal high shot when he could find no other means of negating Stirling's all-round skills. Stirling bounced back for the third test, but Murphy's international career was over. However, Stirling was later forced to take long breaks on medical advice, missing the 1972 World Clup tournament and even retiring in 1976 before answering his country's call for the 1978 tour to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Stirling was also restored as captain, ashead been for 1974 home test series gains Great Britain and the 1975 home and away World Championship. Stirling permanently retired after that with a career record of 22 tests and a total of 43 matches for New Zealand. His standards remained high throughout, proving correct a comment of a newspaper columnist even before Stirling had made his debut in the black and white jersey. The writer wrote Ellerslie coach Maurie Robertson had expressed the need in top football for "men of character", that Auckland coach Neville Denton set a lot of store on "playrs with heart" and that Kiwis coach Lory Blanchard wanted "80-minute footballers" concluding that Stirling "is all of those". Stirling was such a great player was no surprise, considering he came from such an illustrious sporting family. His rugby league background was strong, his father Ivor having been a scrum-half on the ill-fated 1939 Kiwis tour of Britain which was abandoned when was broke out in Europe. A sister, Glenda was an Olympic Games swimmer and Stirling himself had shown potential in the pool as a youngster. Off the field Stirling's contribution to his sport has been varied and valuable. He coached Ellerslie, was a foundation member of the Hibiscus Coast club, served two four-year terms on the New Zealand Rugby League Board and was convener of the New Zealand selection panel.

In 1981 Quinten Dane started playing rugby league for Pt Chevalier in the Under 9 grade. He played open grade and was the run of the team. He continued through in the Under 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s and 14s, where when playing U11s they were joint winners with Glenora and then the next 3 years were Auckland champs solely. Quinten went to Pasadena Intermediate and played in a rugby tournament which his team was made up of league players. They ventured to Eden Park to play in the grand final and won 37-0. A representative team was chosen by the coach from Manukau, who was an ex-All Black. None of the league boys got chosen in the rep team and consequently ever since this has had a dislike for rugby. In 1987, Quinten started playing at the Hibiscus Coast Raiders for the Under 15 team coached by Gary Ford. As a senior grade player he has played in the Regional Cup, Phelan, Sharman, Fox and Bartercard teams of the Raiders right up to 2009. He was coached by ex-Kiwi Coach Brian 'Bluey' McClennan for 7-8 years. In 1992 at 19 years of age he made the Hibiscus Coast Raiders premier side and also the Auckland Maoris. In 1993 while in the Auckland Warriors Under 21s he was invited to trial for the Kiwis, however he missed that opportunity due to sickness. In 1994, Quinten toured Australia with the Warriors U21 squad and was offered a contract by the Warriors. However, he opted to go overseas to do his OE with his mates. 1994 and 1995 saw him with the North Harbour Sea Eagles they won the National Lion Red Cup. In 1998, the club let him play for Northcote Tigers only because we were not in the first division and in 1999 he came back to the Raiders to play in the Fox Memorial grade where Raiders finished in 3rd place. In 2000 he captained the inaugural Bartercard team then in 2002, he was in the Raiders team that won the Fox Memorial Shield. In 2006, he was the assistant coach alongside the coach Mike Heke for the Phelan Shield team, who won the Phelan grade. In 2007 and 2008 saw Quinten have a break due to the birth of his daughter, but he still frequented the club as he couldn't get that 'league bug' out of him. In 2009, the Raiders were relegated to the Fox/sharman Grades where again he offered his assistance with coaching and even played a few games for the team. 2010.... A highlight of Quinten's career in is all his achievements and accolades is winning the Fox Memorial in 2002 at Carlaw Park. The video of the game has been converted to a DVD and in pride of place in his legendary 'Great Danes Sports Bar' is his prized framed 2002 Fox Memorial jersey. Amongst his league memorabilia, framed photos, medals, caps and jerseys is also a cap specially embroidered with "Fox Champs". When Hibiscus won the Phelan Shield in 2006, Quinten was so confident that we would win, he had t-shirts printed prior to the game with 'HBC Raiders 2006 Champs'. In the last few years, his wife, Ann heard him say "I going to hang my boots up, as I am getting too old', however as we all know his eagerness and love of the game always gets the better of him and we were privileged to see him play in 2009. Ann says "all I can do is sit back, watch and be ready to nurse the injuries". Thank you Quinten for your contribution to the Hibiscus Coast Raiders which has spanned 21 years.

Mike Heke was playing first division rugby at Wellsford because his brother wanted him to play for his team. They were a boozy outfit and after a stern talking to from his wife Violet 'she who knows best' said "you are not playing for Rodney and you are going to league". Violet rang Jeff Turner who told her to tell Mike to come to training at the Raiders. When he arrived 2 days later for his first training run in 1990, he was a 100kg winger. For 4 years he travelled back and forth every week from Wellsford for trainings and games. In that time he only missed 2 trainings, one for a leg injury and the other when his father passed away. After attending his father's funeral he headed straight to league training that night. Mike has played Regional Cup, Roope Rooster, Phelan, Sharman, Fox and Bartercard for the Raiders. He was in an invitational team that ex-Kiwi coach Brian 'Bluey' McClennan took to Ngaruwahia which they won but unfortunately were never invited back. There was a game Mike played where his bottom lip ripped away from his chin and six teeth were broken which sat back under his tongue leaving a gap where his teeth should have been. Some people almost passed out when they saw the state hie was in. Mike wanted Skye, their physio at the time, to pull the teeth out so he could go back out and play - she refused, wonder why... The dentist at Red Beach put braces on and told Mike to rest the season out, but Mike being Mike, asked the dentist to make the wire stronger so that he could carry on playing. Another time, was when a Bartercard boys weekend away as part of team building was held. The boys went to the Hot Rock Pools where you are not allowed to put your head under the water because of the possibility of getting meningitis amongst other things. You are meant to sit in the pools and relax. Not Mike, he and a fellow team mate decided to run down the hill and dive into the water. Bluey pointed to the sign and Mike came back with "its only says it's a possibility". Another time was when the Bartercard was in Australia. The weather was hot and Mike started to overheat so decided that he would strip down to his undies and swim in the public square fountain; when he got out there waiting for him were five female cops - we can only imagine what happened after that episode... Mike has played for Hibiscus for many years, but also coached. In 2005, he co-coached with Dallas Heremaia and in 2006 when Dallas passed away suddenly, Mike took over as the Coach. The next two years he continued to coach the Phelan team who finished 1st in the first year and 2nd the next which led us to the Fox/Sharman for 2009. 2009 has been a great year for Mike, not only being accredited with the highest coaching level 'Senior Club Coach' but became the first player at in our history to reach the milestone of playing 300 plus senior league games. We thank Mike for his contribution to the club and may it continue.