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Southern League 2026

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Posted June 10, 2026 18:35 · last edited June 10, 2026 20:23

Not the Southern League - sad news posted on Roslyn Wakari AFC facebook page yesterday:

We are saddened to let you know that Rab Smith, Life Member and former Roslyn Wakari Club Patron, passed away on Sunday.
Rab had a lasting impact on Roslyn Wakari and football throughout Otago. A fine player, Rab coached both junior and senior teams and served the club as a committee member, secretary, and president. He was also a key figure in fundraising for the construction of the clubrooms. His sons, David and Gordon, came through the Roslyn junior ranks and went on to play for the club's First Team. Rab later became a well-respected Life Member and Club Patron.
Rab was also an icon of Otago football. He was the main football writer and photographer for the Otago Daily Times for more than 40 years and produced the much-loved weekly Otago Football Programme, which included reports from clubs throughout the region. While he covered the big games, Rab also loved photographing football at every level, from young children taking their first steps in the game at the Oval through to masters football. His contribution to the sport in the region was recognised in 2020 when he was made a Life Member of Southern Football.
Rab was great company and loved a yarn over a Guinness. His humour and soft, melodic Leith accent will be sorely missed.
Funeral details: A service to celebrate Rab’s life will be held at Hope & Sons on Monday 15th June at 2.00pm. All who knew Rab are welcome to attend.
As a mark of respect, we ask that all teams wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence before their games this weekend.
Rest in peace Rab.

image.png 407.98 KB


Rab will be known by most in the Otago / Southland region, but was also a regular at English Park when Otago United was playing and also when representative football was played, always travelled with Otago sides as a media rep.

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AllWhites82 edited June 10, 2026 20:23
Not the Southern League - sad news posted on Roslyn Wakari AFC facebook page yesterday:

We are saddened to let you know that Rab Smith, Life Member and former Roslyn Wakari Club Patron, passed away on Sunday.
Rab had a lasting impact on Roslyn Wakari and football throughout Otago. A fine player, Rab coached both junior and senior teams and served the club as a committee member, secretary, and president. He was also a key figure in fundraising for the construction of the clubrooms. His sons, David and Gordon, came through the Roslyn junior ranks and went on to play for the club's First Team. Rab later became a well-respected Life Member and Club Patron.
Rab was also an icon of Otago football. He was the main football writer and photographer for the Otago Daily Times for more than 40 years and produced the much-loved weekly Otago Football Programme, which included reports from clubs throughout the region. While he covered the big games, Rab also loved photographing football at every level, from young children taking their first steps in the game at the Oval through to masters football. His contribution to the sport in the region was recognised in 2020 when he was made a Life Member of Southern Football.
Rab was great company and loved a yarn over a Guinness. His humour and soft, melodic Leith accent will be sorely missed.
Funeral details: A service to celebrate Rab’s life will be held at Hope & Sons on Monday 15th June at 2.00pm. All who knew Rab are welcome to attend.
As a mark of respect, we ask that all teams wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence before their games this weekend.
Rest in peace Rab.

image.png 407.98 KB


Rab will be known by most in the Otago / Southland region, but was also a regular at English Park when Otago United was playing and also when representative football was played, always travelled with Otago sides as a media rep.









AllWhites82 edited June 10, 2026 19:20
Not the Southern League - sad news posted on Roslyn Wakari AFC facebook page yesterday:

We are saddened to let you know that Rab Smith, Life Member and former Roslyn Wakari Club Patron, passed away on Sunday.
Rab had a lasting impact on Roslyn Wakari and football throughout Otago. A fine player, Rab coached both junior and senior teams and served the club as a committee member, secretary, and president. He was also a key figure in fundraising for the construction of the clubrooms. His sons, David and Gordon, came through the Roslyn junior ranks and went on to play for the club's First Team. Rab later became a well-respected Life Member and Club Patron.
Rab was also an icon of Otago football. He was the main football writer and photographer for the Otago Daily Times for more than 40 years and produced the much-loved weekly Otago Football Programme, which included reports from clubs throughout the region. While he covered the big games, Rab also loved photographing football at every level, from young children taking their first steps in the game at the Oval through to masters football. His contribution to the sport in the region was recognised in 2020 when he was made a Life Member of Southern Football.
Rab was great company and loved a yarn over a Guinness. His humour and soft, melodic Leith accent will be sorely missed.
Funeral details: A service to celebrate Rab’s life will be held at Hope & Sons on Monday 15th June at 2.00pm. All who knew Rab are welcome to attend.
As a mark of respect, we ask that all teams wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence before their games this weekend.
Rest in peace Rab.

image.png 407.98 KB


Rab will be known by most in the Otago / Southland region, but was also a regular at English Park when Otago United was playing and also when representative football was played, always traveled with Otago sides as a media rep.





AllWhites82 edited June 10, 2026 18:42
Not the Southern League - sad news posted on Roslyn Wakari AFC facebook page yesterday:

We are saddened to let you know that Rab Smith, Life Member and former Roslyn Wakari Club Patron, passed away on Sunday.
Rab had a lasting impact on Roslyn Wakari and football throughout Otago. A fine player, Rab coached both junior and senior teams and served the club as a committee member, secretary, and president. He was also a key figure in fundraising for the construction of the clubrooms. His sons, David and Gordon, came through the Roslyn junior ranks and went on to play for the club's First Team. Rab later became a well-respected Life Member and Club Patron.
Rab was also an icon of Otago football. He was the main football writer and photographer for the Otago Daily Times for more than 40 years and produced the much-loved weekly Otago Football Programme, which included reports from clubs throughout the region. While he covered the big games, Rab also loved photographing football at every level, from young children taking their first steps in the game at the Oval through to masters football. His contribution to the sport in the region was recognised in 2020 when he was made a Life Member of Southern Football.
Rab was great company and loved a yarn over a Guinness. His humour and soft, melodic Leith accent will be sorely missed.
Funeral details: A service to celebrate Rab’s life will be held at Hope & Sons on Monday 15th June at 2.00pm. All who knew Rab are welcome to attend.
As a mark of respect, we ask that all teams wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence before their games this weekend.
Rest in peace Rab.

image.png 407.98 KB


Rab will be known by most in the Otago / Southland region, but was also a regular at English Park then Otago United were playing and also when representative football was played, always traveled with Otago sides as a media rep.