16-year stay: Finding a rugby home at Edendale
“That’s why I’ve stayed is because of the friendships I’ve built, and the community out there has been really good."
Phillip Brown can thank his old James Hargest College schoolmate Karl Laurence for his 16-year Southland club rugby journey.
When Brown returned to Southland in 2008 - after he finished up at the New Zealand Police College - Laurence, who was playing for Edendale, quickly hit Brown up.
He convinced Brown that he should also be playing at the Edendale Rugby Club.
“As Karl is, he is very heavy in the recruitment. He actually wanted me out there in ‘08, but I had just got back from College, and I just wanted to get into my new occupation. So, I said I’d be out there in ‘09.”
At that point, Brown knew Laurence and another mate, Brad Whyte, at Edendale. That was the extent of his Edendale connection.
Fast forward 16 years, and the 38-year-old is now a club legend at Edendale. He found his rugby home there and hasn’t left.
Brown brought up game No 200 for Edendale on Saturday when they beat Albion 48-14 in the round six Ack Soper Shield Division One clash.
He joined Luke Muir and Jeremy McLeod as other current Edendale players who have made it to the 200-game milestone.
On top of the 200 games to date, Brown has 98 tries for the Magpies as he closes in on a century of five-pointers.
When Brown arrived in 2009, he had a couple of mates at Edendale, but over the past 200 games, he has forged a whole heap more friendships.
“That’s why I’ve stayed is because of the friendships I’ve built, and the community out there has been really good,” Brown said.
The majority of his 200 games have been in the outside backs, although he has put his hand up to play wherever needed, including stints at lock and on the blindside flank.
“I’m happy to fill in where needed. I’m on the wing on Saturday, so I must still have a wee bit of pace.”
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Brown loved his time with Edendale from the outset. That’s not surprising given they won the Division Two title in his first season in 2009 and were promoted to Division One.
“Having a successful team, the culture was good, and there was a good environment in the club, so it made me want to go back,” Brown said.
Edendale’s success in Southland club rugby has been sustained. Brown thinks they have missed playing semifinals once during his decade and a half at the club.
Everything is pointing to yet another playoff spot in 2025 with Edendale, at this point, sitting third with four wins from its six games.
The Invercargill Detective has confirmed 2025 will be his last as a fulltime player at Edendale.
Although expect him to continue to add to his caps beyond this season, given he is open to filling in as injury cover when needed.
His rugby focus will turn to his two boys, who are four and six. He plans to help out coaching their teams.
It’s a busy household, given wife Michelle is also a netball player, resulting in a bit of juggling around trainings and games.
“We are quite a sports-oriented family, and we are just out there doing it.”
Saturday’s Edendale-Albion fixture is scheduled to kick-off at 3pm.
(Premier Men)
Marist 24, Blues 7
Woodlands 22, Star 19
Pirates-Old Boys 35, EN Barbarians 21
(Premier Women)
Pioneer 36, Wakatipu 5
Albion 54, Blues 12
Star 15, Marist 5
(Division One)
Tokanui 59, Te Anau 26
Waikaka/Riversdale 33, Pioneer 32
Wyndham 26, Bluff 5
Edendale 48, Albion 14
(Division Two)
Midlands 26, Woodlands 7
Waikiwi 24, Riverton 12
Marist 12, Mossburn 7
Drummond-Limehills-Star 5, Blues 0
(Division Three)
Waiau Star 31, Pirates-Old Boys 7
Mataura 13, Star 10
Wakatipu 24, Collegiate 22
Wright’s Bush 14, Central Pirates 12