HISTORY

The Central Districts Indian Sports Club consists of fun-loving sporting fanatics, and over the years it has created a sporting family that has had great successes.

THE EARLY DAYS

The roots of CDISC began in the 1970’s, but Indian sports in the Central Districts region go back to the 1950’s where a club under the banner of 'Wanganui Indians' was formed in 1955. It was a gathering of local Indians who took part in cricket and hockey, with cricket being the main sport. Games were played at the Gonville Domain in Wanganui against Manawatu, North and South Taranaki cricket teams, and regular fixtures against an invited Wellington Indians team.

1955 to 1961 was the busiest period for the club due to an increase in Indian population in Wanganui, which at the time was larger than Palmerston North, and New Zealand's fifth largest city. Wanganui Indians also participated in the Coronation hockey tournament (similar to today's Queen's Birthday Tournament) in 1956, where Wanganui played reasonably well for a small club. Wanganui again entered in 1957, 1961 and 1962 but these teams were mixed with a number of players from the Manawatu since Manawatu could not put in a full team of their own. The mid 1960’s saw a major drop in Wanganui's Indian population due to families moving to the Auckland area, and the region saw a lack of local Indian sport for a number of years.

Elsewhere in the region, another club was operating in which the Indian population was high. The 'Manawatu Indian Sports Club', also known as 'Manawatu Indians', started around 1965 and consisted of players from Woodville, Pahiatua, Waipukurau, Eketahuna, Dannevirke, Foxton and Palmerston North. This club was usually run by Morar 'Morrie' Patel (ex Pahiatua) and brothers Manu Ravji and Chiman Lala (ex Woodville) with approximately 5 others who organised practices, games, and their venues. The club was official but operational matters were not discussed as much, with the main focus being on the sports.

John Ranchhod (of Palmerston North) was Secretary in 1968. He recalls cricket being a major sport being played in addition to soccer and hockey. Games were usually played in Woodville and their opponents were usually other regional sports teams. Manawatu Indians played inter club cricket games against Auckland Indians, Wellington Indians and Wanganui Indians on many occasions. The cricket teams were quite strong and usually gave Wellington a good run for their money (although Manawatu did play all three clubs in the 1969/1970 season and lost all 3 games).

Manawatu Indians did not partake in the Coronation hockey tournaments, but did try to enter into the tournaments hosted in Auckland and Wellington. Due to the clubs minor status, the hosts refused Manawatu entry, but did offer positions for Manawatu players to join their own teams.

The late 1960’s saw a drop in Indian population where families moved from the smaller areas of the region, to the larger cities of Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North. Manawatu Indians Sports Club ceased around 1970.

MANAWATU-WANGANUI COMBINED

The lack of Indian sports in the Central region left a gap for a few years, but a number of Indians were still present in the Wanganui area, with more now located in the Manawatu and Southern Hawke's Bay areas. 1971 saw a social sports club formed under the name ‘Manawatu-Wanganui Combined’. This small group of Indians from Taranaki, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Dannevirke gathered once a year to participate at the annual Queen's Birthday Tournaments.

Manawatu-Wanganui participated at the 1971 tournament (where they made the semi finals and lost 0-2 to Christchurch) and participated from 1973 to 1975. No teams were entered in 1976 or 1977, but they were back at the 1978 tournament hosted in Wellington. From then on, teams were on and off with the early 1980’s being the 'marriage phase' where a majority of players in the region went to India to get married, which added to a shortage of players for the QBT squads.

The club was purely established by word of mouth and was not an official Indian Sports Club. It provided those who played hockey to gather once a year to participate at QBT, which also provided an avenue for players to catch up with each other, and with those they knew from around the country. Their uniforms consisted of green shirts and white shorts, which is believed to have started the colours for CDISC. 

FORMATION OF CDISC

After becoming involved in tournament teams with Manawatu-Wanganui, an idea developed: to bring together the local Indian community of the Manawatu and surrounding regions, and form an official Indian Sports Club. Paul Patel had this idea, and with the small player base already set with Manawatu-Wanganui Combined, he wrote to all Indian families in the regions to see if there was interest in this venture.

A meeting was held on Tuesday 9th March 1982 which led to the formation of the Central Districts Indian Sports Club. On formation, the name 'Central Districts' was chosen due to more players now being located in Palmerston North and Dannevirke as opposed to Wanganui, but the name suitably covered the Taranaki, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay and Manawatu regions, all of which had players interested in this new venture.

The first Executive was voted in with Paul Patel elected as President and Ashok Dhanjee as Secretary. Area representatives made up the Committee with Ashok Unka representing Wanganui, Manoj Ranchhod representing Palmerston North, and Suresh Patel representing Dannevirke. The first CDISC newsletter and membership list from September 1982 can be downloaded here.

With an official Indian Sports Club now formed, interest was high with 37 members from Palmerston North (consisting of single and family members), 11 from Wanganui, 8 from Dannevirke, 3 from Woodville, 2 from Foxton and 1 from Hawera. The early years saw CDISC partake in many sporting codes including cricket matches against local teams and other Indian Sports Clubs, six monthly dart tournaments, soccer matches, Women's indoor basketball games, and the next major sporting code for CDISC, Women's netball.

The club's first logo was designed by Paul Patel which consisted of a cricket bat and hockey stick crossed over, with a soccer ball above and hockey ball below, the three main codes in which CDISC participated in. 2001 saw the logo change to the one which stands today, which was designed by club member Jit Patel in time for the QBT to be hosted by CDISC in Palmerston North that year. This logo consists of the initials ‘CDISC’ and the cotton spinning wheel, which is synonymous with India and its national flag.

NETBALL AND COMMUNITY

The first CDISC netball game was played on Sunday 12th June 1983 against NZ Motor Bodies. CDISC lost this game 27-9 with "a lack of height by most players" being the main reason for defeat. With the official introduction of netball at QBT in 1993, as hosted by CDISC in Palmerston North, the club entered their first ever team to compete. Using local and out of town players, a team was entered until 2001, where due to a decrease in local netball players the club could no longer field a full squad.

Even though it was a sports club, the earlier days saw CDISC organise Diwali functions and the very popular Ashhurst Domain BBQ’s, to promote the gathering of the local Indian community as there was no local Indian Association in operation at the time. The BBQ’s were well known for the soccer games against the Winters Scaffolding Team. As the years went on, the organisation of cultural and religious events was passed onto the resurrected Manawatu-Hawke's Bay Indian Association (now known as the Central Districts Indian Association Inc.) where members became involved in both clubs as they are today.

QBT

CDISC's main event is the annual New Zealand Indian Sports Association Inc, (NZISA) Queen's Birthday Tournament, or better known as 'QBT'. CDISC has always entered a hockey team since its first official attendance at the 1983 tournament in Pukekohe. The main aim of CD's hockey teams was purely social. It was a gathering of the local players who went to tournament and had a good time on the field, regardless of the results achieved. As the years went on, QBT was attended not only by the players themselves, but also their families, which has become an important part of all CD's QBT trips today.

In 2003, the hard work of attending QBT without victory paid off, with CD winning the Men's B Section in Hamilton for the first time. CD's reputation as a fun-loving social team was still retained, but now the desire for greater success developed as the next few years saw the club competing in the A Section.

2007 saw CDISC unfortunately relegated back to the B Section, but in 2008 were promoted back up to the A Section as Christchurch were unable to field a team at the tournament in Rotorua. This saw the most rewarding and historic QBT wins ever by CDISC, as for the first time ever, CD made the Men’s A Section final and won the prestigious Dhyan Chand Trophy. More on this weekend can be found here.

2009 saw CDISC make the semi-final at the QBT hosted in Palmerston North, and had a great run in the A Section until 2012 where they were relegated back down to the B Section. In 2014 at the tournament held in Wellington, the team played in a fiery final against Bay of Plenty, where CDISC reigned victorious once again. Unfortunately the year after, CDISC were again relegated due to the unavailability of some their experienced players. Since then the club has remained competitive, as seen in 2016 where they made the finals yet again.

Apart from participating at QBT, CDISC has hosted four QBT events in 1987, 1993, 2001 and 2009. The 1993 event hosted 23 teams in total over three sporting codes (5 netball teams, 3 soccer teams, 3 Women's hockey and 12 Men's hockey teams). This was described by the NZISA President at the time as "the tournament was the largest in NZISA's history". The 2009 event saw CDISC acquire Toyota New Zealand as the major sponsor for the tournament. Another first in QBT history, where a major car manufacturer had provided the host club with a high level of support, which reflected the fantastic hosting and atmosphere ever seen at a QBT with the CD team and personnel kitted out in Toyota apparel and with a selection of Toyota vehicles on display at the turf.

DANNEVIRKE SPORTS DAY

Another main event for CDISC was the annual Dannevirke Sports Day which spanned from the mid 1990's to 2008. The first event started in 1996 where it was initially called 'Town vs. Country', with the name changing to 'Dannevirke Sports Day' in 1998. Men's and children's hockey were played on the grass at the Dannevirke Domain, along with women's netball with the local Indian and non-Indian club members and supporters.

Even with the decrease in players over the years, members and supporters still gathered to play the important game of hockey for the Chibba Pancha Memorial Trophy, which was presented by Chunilal Patel (son of Chibba Pancha) at the 1997 after function held at the Scandies Wine & Ale Bar in Dannevirke. This trophy was played between the CDISC Indians and a Dannevirke local team. The Indians were the inaugural winners, but the local team has had some success in taking the cup away from the Indians. The day was very popular due to its significance, and as it was one of the last tournaments still to be played on grass.

CLUB HOCKEY

CDISC members have participated in the local Manawatu club competition for many years. The early 1980’s saw a team entered under the High School Hockey Club banner playing in the Division 3 grade. This carried on into the late 1980’s and was formed purely as a social team.

Teams have been on and off over the years, but 2008 saw most of the players make a comeback. Teaming up with local Palmerston North and Dannevirke residents, along with a few younger CDISC supporters, this team played under the Broadway Hockey Club under the banner of 'Broadway Indians'. It was a successful venture with Broadway Indians beating defending champions High School Hockey Club to win the 2010 Division 3 competition, and the Cleaver Memorial Cup. This win was regarded as a major upset against the usually powerful High School squad, who were made up of ex representative players. Broadway Indians continued until 2012 when the Broadway Hockey Club ceased operation to merge with the Marist Hockey Club.

In recent years, CDISC has had a number of members who have played for top teams in the Manawatu Club Competition and have had great successes in winning the Division 1 final. Most had played for the Broadway Hockey Club in the earlier days, and after its closure, for High School, College and Massey University Hockey Clubs.

GOLDEN OLDIES

The 'older' members of CDISC are regulars at the biannual Golden Oldies hockey tournaments, in which CDISC has been participating in since 2000. These tournaments are a reflection of what CDISC started off as, catching up with old mates, playing social hockey, and ignoring all the rules of the sport! The squad was originally known as the 'CD Drumheads' but in 2010 changed to the 'TurboWala', a reference to the local Manawatu Turbo’s rugby team. In 2012, CDISC hosted its first ever Golden Oldies tournament in Palmerston North, where 29 teams participated with over 400 people attending.

STUDENTS

CDISC's membership has had many involved over the years, but the club has had a particular type of member which proved to be quite important in the early days. These were Indian students, mainly from Pukekohe, Taranaki and Wellington who came to study at Massey University in Palmerston North. In their time, they became a part of CDISC by playing and representing us at many QBT’s and other local club events. These members have formed a special bond with the club and have helped CDISC to become what it is today, with many still retaining ties and support to the club.

ACHIEVEMENTS

CDISC has seen many members represent the Central region and New Zealand in a variety of sports, both on and off the field. A list of a few special sporting achievements can be viewed here.

NZISA INVOLVEMENT

Since CDISC was formed in 1982, the club has been actively involved with NZISA in both sporting and administrative roles.

Ashok Patel served as NZISA Men's Hockey Manger from 1995-1996, with Paul Patel serving as Manager in 1992. CDISC members have also represented NZISA on the field, with Peter Patel playing in 1992, Priyesh Bhana from 2007-2008 and Vijay Soma in 2007. Prior to this, players were selected for the NZISA Under 21 Hockey teams which included Paresh Parsot in 2001, Priyesh Bhana in 2002, Vijay Soma in 2001-2002 and Jitesh Patel in 2002.

In the meeting room, early NZISA delegates included Paul Patel who served for 17 years, Suresh Patel for 12 years and Jack Parag for 8 years. Kanu Ravji served as NZISA Treasurer for 10 years. In 2012, Paul, Suresh and Kanu were awarded NZISA Honoured Membership for their services to the organisation.

In recent times, Sandeep Patel has been a delegate serving 8 years, with Kiran Parbhu over the past 2 years.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Since its inception, CDISC has had a number of administrators who have shaped the club. In the earlier days, Bharat Naran was the editor of the fantastic newsletters, with Ashok Dhanjee taking over the role, with all newsletters typed by Ramila Naran.

Paul Patel was President for 11 years and a Committee Member for 19 years. Paul has also been the Tournament Coordinator for all four NZISA Queen's Birthday Tournaments and the 2012 Golden Oldies tournament as hosted by CDISC.

Suresh Patel was President for 14 years and a Committee Member for 5 years. Kanu Ravi is an avid club and executive member, who has served as CDISC Secretary continuously since 1989. Mahendra Naran has provided tremendous support for over 20 years as both a CDISC hockey player and valued committee member, along with Ashok Patel, Bharat Parsot, Jack Parag, Mahesh Patel and Peter Patel, along with many more committed members.

A special acknowledgement must be given to the female members of the club, especially Anita Naran, Betty Parag, Madhu Patel, Margaret Patel, Nayna Patel, Santi Budhia, Sheila Patel, Surekha Ravii and Varsha Ranchhod. They have been a strong force at all CD events, especially with their catering flair which has helped produce events of the highest quality. Their support has also been immense when they travel to QBT to support CDISC.

Recently CDISC has been run by a number of youth. Sandeep Patel has been involved for the past 12 years, being Vice President in 2009 and leading as President from 2010 to 2015, with Kiran Parbhu taking over as President from 2015 to 2016. 2017 sees Sanjay Patel as the newly elected President.

A list of past CDISC office bearers can be viewed here.