Taupō Rugby and Sports Club has confirmed its coaching staff for the 2026 season with Peter Kemp appointed as the club’s senior coach for next year.
The club will be rekindling a senior side after a perfect storm of injuries or departures meant it couldn’t commit to fielding a team throughout the full 2025 season.
Kemp, a recent arrival to Taupō, was most recently coaching in Horowhenua-Kāpiti where he led Foxton to back-to-back club championships wins.
His coaching experience spans teams at club, provincial and national level. He has guided Wanganui Horowhenua-Kāpiti (twice) and Manawatū to championship victories and has also served as head coach and selector of the New Zealand Heartland team.
Supporting Kemp in the management team are former Manawatū player Clayton Crowther (assistant coach), Richard Thompson (manager) and Movement & Co’s Hannah Severinson (physiotherapist).
Thompson says having Taupō Sports back in the game bodes well not just for the game in Taupō, alongside Taupō Marist and Tongariro United Seniors, this year’s senior winners, but King Country Rugby as a whole.
Meanwhile Paul Olsen (Ollie) will continue to coach the Colts squad after leading the team through its 2025 campaign. Olsen will be joined by Josh Dais and Ethan Christensen.
Between them the trio share over 400 games in Sports’ colours and each has also representative honours with the King Country Rams.
The club feels their passion, knowledge and proven leadership will be invaluable in guiding the Colts through the season ahead.
The Colts will play in an Under 21 / under 85kg Bay of Plenty competition.
