Hautapu Sports’ members have joined with the wider rugby community in paying tribute to long-time team manager Paul Galletta, who has died aged 62.
Known to most by his nickname ‘Shaver’, Galletta’s organisational skills and his ability to get on with people made him a natural choice for management roles with rugby squads.
Whether his title was ‘team manager’ or ‘logistics manager’, Galletta’s ‘get-it-done’ approach built his reputation at club, provincial and national levels.
It also made him many friends, and he became a much-loved and popular part of the Waikato, where he was born and raised.
After leaving St John’s College, Hamilton, he joined the police for whom he served for more than 30 years, based at Te Awamutu in recent years.
Outside of work, rugby was his passion.
After a spell with Leamington Rugby Club, Galletta joined Hautapu where he enjoyed much success, helping the club lift the Waikato Breweries Shield in 2006 and again in 2007.
He was the team manager for the premier squad, and he enjoyed managing sevens teams, as well as the 15-a-sides.
In 2008, he became part of the provincial rugby set-up and was appointed team manager for the Waikato side that would hold the Ranfurly Shield and achieve much success.
In 2015, he was appointed team manager for the New Zealand U-20s, working with head coach Scott Robertson and assistants Leon MacDonald and Tana Umaga in their IRB Junior World Championship campaign.
The Chiefs made Galletta a key member of their squad, and in 2021, he was recognised with the Chiefs’ Kotahitanga Award for Outstanding Contribution.
Presenting the award, Chiefs Rugby Club chief executive Michael Collins said: “Paul, or to most known as Shaver, has been immense for the club. His hard work behind the scenes has not gone unnoticed, and this award is recognition of his commitment to his job.”
Galletta was never too busy to help a worthy cause, and in late 2022, he helped rugby players prepare for a 21-bout charity boxing event between members of both his former Cambridge rugby clubs.
Hautapu Sports Club sends its condolences to family and friends of Paul Galletta, who will gather at Shaver’s second home, FMG Stadium Waikato, to celebrate his life on Wednesday November 27, 2024.
The funeral will start at 11am.
Paul Robert ‘Shaver, Benny’ Galletta (November 16, 1962 — November 23, 2024)
The following notice was published in the Waikato Times:
Passed away peacefully on Saturday 23 November 2024, surrounded by his family at Waikato Hospital after a medical event. Treasured soulmate and beloved husband of Pania Neels. Loved and respected Dad of Kylee and Teneile, and father-in-law of Wayne and Jamie. Adored Poppa of Preya, Lila, Billie, Nikau, Farley, Emmett and Vida, and Lilly and Hunter. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton tomorrow, Wednesday 27 November at 11.00am. Please enter stadium via Gate 4, accessible from Tristram Street. Parking available behind Hamilton Old Boys Rugby Club. In lieu of flowers we ask Koha to be made to the following account Kiwibank 38-9023-0488791-04 to be used to further Paul’s social endeavours by installing an AED defibrillator at Cambridge Community Marae.
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