Mt Albert Ramblers Senior Prizegiving, we celebrated the extraordinary career of one of New Zealand's greatest softball players, Nathan Nukunuku.
April 14, 2025
Mt Albert Ramblers Senior Prizegiving, we celebrated the extraordinary career of one of New Zealand's greatest softball players, Nathan Nukunuku.
At Mt Albert Ramblers Senior Prizegiving, we celebrated the extraordinary career of one of New Zealand's greatest softball players, Nathan Nukunuku.
After an exceptional journey in the world of softball, Nathan has decided to hang up his glove and retire from our sport. While we feel a sense of sadness that we won’t see him on the field in the same way, we also feel immense pride and gratitude for everything he has given to the game.
Nathan, your career has been nothing short of extraordinary. From your early days, you showed a natural talent for the game, but it’s your work ethic, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence that truly set you apart. Whether it was with the New Zealand Black Sox, in domestic competitions with Auckland or with our Ramblers Premier men’s team, you consistently delivered performances that inspired those around you.
For 23 years, you have been the backbone of the Ramblers Premier Men’s team, leading us to 12 New Zealand championships—a feat that has broken the history books and is truly remarkable. Your success with Ramblers isn’t just in the trophies and titles, but in the culture, you helped build and demand. You’ve been a leader on the field, always pushing your teammates to be better, always setting the bar higher. You’ve shown what it means to be a true champion—both in victory and in how you carry yourself in defeat. Your dedication to Ramblers has helped establish the club as a powerhouse in New Zealand softball, and your legacy with the club will be remembered for generations to come.
Some of your stats are mind numbing:
* As mentioned, 12 club national titles (more than any other club let alone any other player)
* 143 club national games batting .410 with OPS of .600
* More than 380 NFS/AFC games batting .396 with OPS of .543
* 200 plus games for Auckland batting .312 with OPS of .444
* 142 tests (243 total games) for the Black Sox batting .316 with OPS of .395
These stats don’t even reflect or can’t measure what your impact, and influence was for both defensive and tactical strategies used successfully throughout the years and this is where you have made the biggest impact on our game.
As you step away from the diamond, know that you will continue to be a source of knowledge and inspiration, not just for aspiring softball players, but for everyone who has had the honour of watching you play. Your legacy will live on in of all who’ve been touched by your incredible career.
Nathan, on behalf of your teammates, The Ramblers Softball Club, and everyone who has had the
privilege of being part of your journey, we want to thank you for everything you’ve given to the game of softball. Your contributions to Ramblers, to Auckland Softball, and to New Zealand softball are immeasurable, and we are all better for having witnessed your remarkable career.
Congratulations on an extraordinary career, Nathan. Enjoy this next chapter, (especially being able to send more time with your young family), we know you’ll approach it with the same passion, dedication, and excellence that you brought to the diamond every day.
Thank you for the memories, thank you for the inspiration, and thank you for being a true legend of New Zealand softball. Enjoy your retirement—you’ve earned it!
With this all said, the Mt Albert Ramblers Softball Club would like to take the unprecedented move of awarding you the distinction of being the first player to have their Premier jersey number retired.
The #12 Jersey is and always will be synonymous with NATHAN NUKUNUKU.
Nathan’s retired #12 will be proudly displayed in the clubrooms for years to come as a constant reminder of your contribution to this club and the game of softball.
Nathan was presented “HIS” framed retired #12 by Stu Kinghorn (Life Member) being the first coach to bring a men’s club nationals title to our club back in 1981/82 and Cole Evans being the current Ramblers and Black Sox Captain and also the grandson of Stu.
It was with sadness and appreciation that it was announced that both Katrina and Nathan Nukunuku announced their retirements from Coaching and playing softball to concentrate on family.
Both had advised their respective teams after Club Nationals of their decisions to retire from the game.
A presentation was made to both at the prizegiving from Ramblers Club in appreciation for their years of service to the Club, Katrina 14 years and Nathan 23 years.
Katrina Tahi Tahi was asked to explain the meaning of the Taonga Patu that was presented to the couple.
Both Katrina and Nathan thanked the Club members for their support over the years and the Club for their gifts before an impromptu Haka resounded through the Clubrooms.
