Backing forwards with Canterbury Rugby
This is not just Rugby, this is Canterbury Rugby. The team at Canterbury Rugby have been working hard behind the scenes backing the future of rugby in our community by resetting our strategic plan.
A series of meetings were held with our Sub Unions as well as Canterbury Clubs over a two year period, resulting in the 2028 Strategy being born. Throughout these meetings and with the support within our union, we have developed a newer, fresher plan that goes beyond the 80 minutes of rugby on the field, inspiring the best for our community.
The core idea being “backing forwards”, we’re looking to our past, acknowledging history and legacy and driving towards the future. Our Purpose is to inspire a sense of belonging for all, transcending differences, fostering unity and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or identity, can share a sense of community and purpose.
Our Vision is to become New Zealand’s leading sporting community, thriving on a shared commitment to excellence, fair play, a love for sports and sports’ benefits for life. With that we Promise to make everyone’s experience unforgettable.
Over the last 12 months we have launched this plan internally and are excited to now take the next step by presenting it to our public and wider community. In setting objectives for 2024, a number of key targets have already been reached, including successful growth in player participation on our fields.
“We can absolutely attribute our growth in participation this year to the work done by the wider rugby network aligned with our strategy” said Tony Smail, Canterbury Rugby CEO, “I feel pretty chuffed about it, and so should our rugby network, because the strategy has helped deliver growth in the game we all love”.
Accountability has been a major difference in the new strategy, reporting regularly to our Board Members, staff and Sub Unions, “this is not just a strategy of words” said Smail, “everyone who is involved can see if it is happening or not”.
It’s our Mission to move people, both physically and emotionally, with the Belief that there is a position on the team for everyone!
Read more about the positive impacts our 2028 Strategy has already had in this week’s edition of The Red and Black, out Friday.
words by Hannah Yates