Pathways through Canterbury Māori

Canterbury NPC captain, Billy Harmon

Two players pathways to being selected for the Canterbury NPC side began through representing  Canterbury Waitaha.

Canterbury NPC captain, Billy Harmon and 2024 debutant Tyson Belworthy both started from New Brighton rugby club and worked their way up to being named for NPC by playing for the Canterbury Maori representative side.

Belworthy, who has also played for Canterbury Bs, said the Waitaha team is rich in culture and an extraordinary environment not just for developing rugby skills, but growing a connection to his culture and heritage.

Both men, although playing for the side a few years apart, spoke about connection being “next level” with both players within the team and their supporters. “They encourage everyone” said Harmon, “everyone within the team is at different stages in their journey, but there is so much encouragement, they’re really great”.

“It’s an awesome environment to be in” said Belworhy, “it opened my eyes a wee bit, I saw a lot of Maori culture growing up, but nothing to the extent of the Waitaha team. The haka, pre match and after match traditions, singing waiata for the other teams… It’s pretty special”.

Harmon who played for the side a few years prior to Belworthy and has since captained the Maori All Blacks, says he’s seen the growth of Waitaha becoming a true pathway into NPC, “It was awesome for me, we had such a good time. I think back then it wasn’t an obvious pathway for people to carry on to the next level, but that view has definitely changed now. Using Waitaha and now the Pasifika team, it means more opportunities for more up and coming players”.

2024 debutant Tyson Belworthy