On the 25 September 2021, Su Bushby, Matt’s partner, stood together with friends, players, colleagues, and supporters for a very special memorial day held at Matt’s home ground at East Grinstead RFC (EGRFC), West Sussex. It was a day to celebrate Matt’s life and his legacy.

The club welcomed many special guests including Vice President of England Rugby, Nigel Gillingham, Bruce Simpson, Ngāti Rānana, Classical No1 Soprano Singer Joanna Forest, Mid Sussex MP, Mims Davies and East Grinstead's Town Mayor, Cllr John Dabell.

Su Bushby, Matt Ratana’s partner said: “As we grieve and move on, we must honour Matt’s memory and remember the happy times. Over the last year I have heard so many wonderful things about him that fill me with so much pride. I am truly honoured and privileged to have been part of this wonderful man’s life. Matt…. In your life you touched so many, in your death many lives have and will change.”

The day was of course a rugby day. A one-minute silence was held before the start of the Senior Men’s first league match of the season. EGRFC Men 1st XV played Eastbourne RFC 1st XV (47-0)!

Spectators and club mascots from the youth section cheered on players from East Grinstead, London Irish, Worthing and Crawley RFC during two friendly matches. EGRFC Men 2nd XV v Worthing Azurians and EGRFC Vets v London Irish Vets & Crawley 2’s. Members from the EGRFC Touch Team and Ngāti Rānana, London Māori Club also had some time on the pitch for a rugby touch match.

Andy Poole, President of East Grinstead RFC said: “It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since we lost Matt Ratana. This was one very special man. I truly believe East Grinstead RFC are making him proud every day and we are absolutely determined that his legacy will live on forever. He was tragically taken from us too soon and we must now settle for the memories. But magnificent memories they are.”

East Grinstead RFC were honoured to welcome Ngāti Rānana, a Māori cultural group based in London, who provides an environment to teach, learn and participate in Māori culture and to promote New Zealand through Māori culture.

Bruce Simpson led a special Māori welcome to open the day and presented Andy Poole, President of East Grinstead RFC with a beautiful gift from the New Zealand Community, a stunning pendant, Taonga Pounam, made of jade and worn by Zinzan Brooke at Matt's funeral.

Following the last match, the Ngāti Rānana gave a truly magical Māori concert on the terrace, showcasing the sights and sounds of Police Sergeant Matt Ratana’s Māori heritage. Rex Whittaker, long standing member and EG Men's Logistics Manager was presented with the necklace, which will be worn at senior club league games, a start of a wonderful tradition for East Grinstead RFC.

A very special highlight came from a beautiful performance by the official multiple Number One, award winning best-selling Classical Soprano, Joanna Forest. Such an emotional moment for so many as Joanna sung from the East Grinstead Rugby Club terrace, Jerusalem, the national New Zealand anthem and ending with ‘World In Union, 2020’, her song she recorded for Matt and musically adapted by Joel Goodman. The well-known rugby anthem, so close to the hearts of East Grinstead RFC, was released last November to commemorate the life of Matt, will all monies going to the Matt Rata Rugby Foundation.

Joanna Forest, Classical No1 Soprano Singer said: “'I feel very honoured to have sung at such a moving event such as this. As we mark a year without Matt, the legacy he has left behind is so hugely apparent”

Performing World in Union and other songs that mean so much to Matt's friends and loved ones was so special to me. I was very honoured to be asked to record World in Union as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero awards nominations. Sgt Matt Ratana truly was a hero in so many ways.' Joanna added.

East Grinstead RFC would like to sincerely thank their amazing volunteers for all their hard work and to all those who joined them either to play, perform and spectate. It was a truly special day for Matt. The club are always there to support Matt’s loved ones, family, friends and colleagues - the club door is always open.

Special mention of thanks to Oliver Contracts, Double Decks Sound & Light, Harvey's, Terry Foreman, Wiltshires Florist and Zoe's Florist.

Download ‘World In Union, 2020’ - https://slinky.to/worldinunion

Visit the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation website to find out how the Foundation is improving life’s experience through rugby in Matt’s memory - Home, Kia ora (mattratanarugby.foundation)

Ngāti Rānana, London Māori Group - Maori culture group in London | Ngāti Rānana | England (ngatiranana.co.uk)

Joanna Forest – No1 Classical Soprano Singer - Official website of Classical Crossover Soprano Joanna Forest https://www.joannaforest.com/Matt’s Day Photos

Thank you to all the photographers that captured Matt’s day. They are happy for us to use them but please give @credit! See some amazing pictures and memories below:

Louise Oliver Photography: https://www.louiseoliverphotography.co.uk/Sport/Rugby/2021-2022-Season/Mens-Rugby/Matt-Ratana-Memorial-Day-25921

Ben Hardisty Images
https://benhardisty.smugmug.com/Rugby/East-Grinstead-RFC/East-Grinstead-v-Eastbourne-September-2021/

Paul Cowan
https://www.flickr.com/photos/192897482@N03/albums/72157719966022515/with/51522651820/