Huge growth in Canterbury Colts Grade!

This year has seen an impressive growth in Canterbury’s Colts grade, with 10 additional teams across the province compared to last year.

Out of the five new Metro Colts teams, three of them come from the fastest growing University in New Zealand. Jared Brixton, a man of many hats at University of Canterbury Rugby Football Club including chairman and coach, suggests UC’s impressive development of sport related degrees as well the culture is responsible for their Colts growth this season. “It’s really about providing somewhere they feel safe and feel welcomed. The kids that don’t know anyone, they can make friends immediately” said Brixton, “if the culture doesn’t match, they won’t hang around. For us it’s about having a culture that attracts and retains people”.

Most importantly for Brixton regarding his UC players is he wants them “to feel this is somewhere they can build knowledge and friends and have a great game of footy. At the end of the day, no matter what happens they have a place they feel welcome.”

Over in Ellesmere, one of the three additional Colts teams this season comes from West Melton, thanks to a very proactive player, Tom Ogg. Hailing from Kings College in Auckland, Ogg is in Canterbury studying alongside several mates who also made the move down from the Big Smoke.

When Ogg made the realisation he had enough contacts to field an entire Colts team, he took the list to West Melton RDO Roddy Butt, “they thought I was joking!” laughed Ogg “I think the culture is absolutely amazing, we walked into West Melton Club and the management looked after us, fed us, gave their time for us”.  

Ogg spoke highly about his experience playing for Premier grade before establishing the West Melton colts side, but realised there were benefits in playing age grade while he still could, “you feel a lot more safe and dominant when you’re playing your own age. I do regret not doing it from the start really. I love playing Prems, but I’ve got my whole life after to do that”.

North Canterbury have seen the addition of two Colts teams this season. “It’s really cool to see it grow and get bigger” said Max Dunbar, Kaiapoi Colts second five, “you still play great rugby with all your mates, some of the best rugby in your whole life. You’d be silly not to play colts I reckon”.

We can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring to Canterbury with more likeminded players joining Colts teams across the province!