Kevin Kiri - XXXX Golden Oldies

Kevin was born in Rotorua NZ. He played for Kahukura in Rotorua and after moving to Brisbane he joined Norths rugby club. 

He married Barbara in NZ in 1974 and they returned to Brisbane where they have been for 48 years. He enjoyed life with his family, especially advising his grandson how the game of rugby should be played.

Golden Oldies really was his passion as he travelled the world for many years playing the game he loved. Dublin 1993 was his first Festival and he became totally addicted attending Festivals in Christchurch 1995, Cape Town 1998, Adelaide 1999, Toulouse 2001, Brisbane 2003, San Diego 2005, then Mar de Plata Argentina 2014.

The comradeship he built over the years playing rugby and going to Festivals was very special to him.

He formed a strong bond with the Argentinians he met in Dublin in 1993. So much so he he travelled to Argentina on 5 occasions, catching up with friends in Buenos Aires and Comodoro Rivadavia (1700km south of Buenos Aires) and he loved hosting them and their children in Brisbane over the years.

Kevin spent 40 years with XXXX Golden Oldies in Brisbane and was made a life member. He was club captain for years which  saw him spending endless hours in his office organising club games then ringing every member to make sure they turned up for the game. Every weekend he was fundraising for upcoming festivals. He had a passion for designing rugby shirts and logo’s for XXXX  Golden Oldies and was a stickler for detail.

Being President of XXXX Golden Oldies made him even more passionate , he made sure that their club house was always tidy and everything was in its place and the boys were happy.

Another highlight of his rugby life was being on the committee of the extremely successful Golden Oldies World Festival held in Brisbane in 2003. The committee was awarded The Norbert Byrne Award for services to rugby..

He gave up rugby to go caravanning around Australia in the winter and spending summers in NZ. When back in Brisbane he would be seen down at Ballymore playing touch footy on a Monday night with the new and up and coming XXXX Goldie’s,, right up to the age of 70,  grandson Connor would also go for a run with him occasionally.

Kevin will always be remembered for his cheeky smile, his wit and his dedication to The XXXX Golden Oldies..

He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Troy, daughter Jolene and grandchildren Connor and Brooke.