Riccarton

The place-name of Riccarton may refer to:

Riccarton (New Zealand electorate)

Riccarton is a former New Zealand parliamentary electorate. It existed from 1893 to 1978, and was represented by eight Members of Parliament.

Population centres

In the 1892 electoral redistribution, population shift to the North Island required the transfer of one seat from the South Island to the north. The resulting ripple effect saw every electorate established in 1890 have its boundaries altered, and eight electorates were established for the first time, including Riccarton.

The electorate was in the western suburbs of Christchurch, New Zealand, and was based on the suburb of Riccarton.

History

The electorate was created in 1893, and existed to 1978 when it was abolished.

The first representative of the electorate was George Warren Russell, who started his parliamentary career with his 1893 election. Russell was beaten in the 1896 election by William Rolleston, who had distinguished himself through his contribution to education and his support for Canterbury Museum. Rolleston was the last Superintendent of Canterbury Province. Russell regained the electorate in the 1899 election with a majority of one vote over Rolleston, which brought an end to that political career. Russell lost the Riccarton electorate again in the 1902 election, this time to George Witty, who held the electorate for 23 years until 1925.

Avon United

Avon United Football Club is a New Zealand amateur football club based in the city of Christchurch. It has been named one of the largest football clubs in the South Island.

The club is based in the western part of Christchurch and draw most of their players from Avonhead, Riccarton, Burnside, Fendalton, Ilam, Bryndwr and Hornby. The club rooms are situated at Riccarton Domain on Yaldhurst Road.

The club consists of around 550 junior players (boys and girls) with grades from Midget (approx 5 years) all the way to Premier Youth (under 19). There are also 10 senior men's and women's teams, with the top teams playing in the highest local leagues.

The club's colours consist of green and black with white highlights, currently the club does not have an away kit. The club's main kit supplier is currently Lotto.

History

Avon United F.C. was founded after the merger of Shamrock and Riccarton clubs in 1995. After suffering relegation from the MPL in 2007 (after the team's best points total ever in the top flight) Avon have been a top two side in division 1 and are consistently pushing for promotion back into the MPL.