Canterbury Rugby is packing down with leading outdoor adventure brand Bushbuck in a new partnership that unites two of New Zealand’s great passions — rugby and the great outdoors.

Canterbury Rugby is pleased to confirm the extension of NPC head coach Marty Bourke through to 2025 along with Assistant Coaches Alex Robertson, Craig Dunlea and Matt Todd.

Seven Cantabrians have been nominated for awards in New Zealand Rugby’s ASB Rugby Awards, with recognition stretching across the rugby fraternity, with community, Farah Palmer Cup and NPC members all recognised for their outstanding achievements this season.

The final video of the 2023 Canterbury Rugby Awards celebrated our top two sides, our NPC and Farah Palmer Cup teams.

Last night saw us tune into our Representative Awards, looking at the pathways that help create the future stars of Canterbury Rugby.

On Wednesday night, we celebrated our Community Rugby awards, highlighting the impressive efforts of those who make our club and schools game tick.

Players from 13 Clubs and six of Canterbury’s senior representative sides feature in the Canterbury XV squad to take on the New Zealand Heartland XV in Methven next week, showcasing the incredible depth present throughout Canterbury Rugby.

The School of the Year will be future focused; innovating and challenging the norm while providing a structure and environment that attracts and includes participants of all skill levels and diversities.

The Club of the Year will be future focused, actively engaged in meeting the needs of their community and whānau by offering opportunities that nurture a lifelong love of rugby. This Club will be respected within the rugby community for its leadership, vision and initiatives that see them working on and off the field for the betterment of the rugby system. that enables the as well as working with others off the field for the betterment of the rugby system.

Finalists for team of the year will be a tight knit group who have achieved more than the sum of their parts. They may not have been world-beaters, but they will have qualities as a group that embody everything that is great about rugby.

Family operated business Misco Joinery has been proud to partner with Canterbury Rugby this season, as they proudly watch their name on the number 11 FPC and number 12 NPC jersey each week.

Solomon Alaimalo has led a nomadic existence on the New Zealand provincial rugby landscape, but has relished the opportunity to return to Christchurch in 2023 and play for his home province.

Building momentum is the overarching theme for Canterbury as they look to lock in a spot for next week’s Bunnings NPC Grand Final.

Enabling our game to be played, administered and delivered, our Volunteer of the Year will be someone who gives their time to rugby, making it a better place for those they are serving and supporting. 

Finalists for the Coach of the Year create a positive team environment with their players enjoyment of the game at the heart if it, they will bring out the best in their team.

Today will see the New Zealand Māori Nga Māreikura Under 18 Girls’ take on the New Zealand U18 Barbarians in Auckland, wtih a strong Canterbury contingent involved both on and off the field in both squads.

Drawing on the energy of a passionate home crowd will be key for Canterbury as they look to repel old foes Auckland in Friday night’s NPC Quarter Final.