Community Welcome
Kia ora koutou, welcome to this week’s issue of The Red and Black.
As President, I work to support the CRFU, the Board and the Community Rugby Team in their initiatives, communication and support of our rugby community. With the amount of time spent on side lines and in Clubs, both John Lynch, our Vice President, and I are well positioned to provide assistance, information and feedback to the CRFU from Clubs.
There is real sense of community in our Clubrooms and I really enjoy seeing junior players and their families being part of the post-match gathering, recognised and participating in after match speeches and celebrations. As I move around our regions, I have been privileged to see first-hand the traditions and history within our club community. From the rivalries of traditional fixtures between teams and clubs, competition for shields, through to individual awards. Celebrating Club, team and player milestones is just one way we can recognise significant achievements in our game - please broadcast these milestone events so that the entire rugby community can also recognise and share in these successes.
As such, and as a Referee myself, it is pleasing to see a number efforts being made to recognise the service that our volunteers put in, and it was a pleasure to be there last Thursday as the first of the Premier Blazers were presented to some of our top referees.
The “Keep it Positive on our Sidelines” campaign is promoted at all levels and in all clubs. With the season now underway and the start of junior grade matches over the next few weeks, positive and supportive comments from parents and supporters, adds to everyone’s enjoyment at the match. Whether we play, coach, referee, administer or participate through any other part of the rugby community, we participate because we love the game. Lets keep it that way.
I hope you all enjoy the season ahead and that 2023 provides an uninterrupted season for us all. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the season.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Brendon Hill
President, Canterbury Rugby Football Union
Country Combined Colts Preview
Each week, we’ll be highlighting a different senior competition throughout Canterbury, and this week, we’re looking at the Country Combined Colts competition.
The Combined Colts competition sees 11 teams stretching from the Northern Colts, combination of Hurunui and Glenmark Cheviot, through to the sole Mid Canterbury entry, Allenton.
In between, there are two other North Canterbury sides, Ohoka and Ashley, and seven entries from Ellesmere, with Lincoln, Prebbleton, Waihora, West Melton-Kirwee and Darfield all entered. Both Lincoln and Waihora boast two teams in this year’s competition.
The Combined Colts competition plays an important role in the Rugby framework, providing Under 21’s an opportunity to continue to play Rugby with their mates and stay connected to their local club.
This week’s fixtures see the Lincoln Bales host Prebbleton at 12pm, while the rest of the matches, scheduled for 1pm, see Ohoka play Allenton, Waihora Black welcoming Hurunui-Glenmark Cheviot south, Lincoln Stags travel West Melton-Kirwee and Ashley win by default over Waihora White. Darfield have the bye in Round 2.
Country Combined Colts Draw - Round 2
Luisetti Seeds Combined Country Division 1 Draws - Round 3
Referees celebrate significant milestones
The Canterbury Rugby Referees Association (CRRA) is taking the time to recognise a number of important milestones this season.
In order to recognise the extensive time and effort the volunteers have put in over the years, the Association is presenting three physical service awards to it’s members, with Blazers presented to those that have refereed 50 or more Premier/Division 1 games, Merino Jerseys for those who have completed 25 years service as a Referee and Polos to those with 10 years service.
Bascik Transport Premier Draws - Round 2
10 Cantabrians rewarded with full time Black Ferns contracts
The announcement of the 2023 contracted Black Ferns group has seen ten Cantabrians rewarded with full time contracts this season.
Out of the 10, Lucy Jenkins and Rosie Kelly, both out of Christchurch FC, are the new recipients, a reward for the hard work both have put in over recent years, with their performances in the 2022 Farah Palmer Cup winning side and the successful Matatū side evidence of their deserved call up.
Also returning to the fray is High School Old Boys’ Grace Brooker, who has made a successful return from a knee injury sustained while playing for the Black Ferns in 2021.
Alana Bremner, Amy Du Plessis, Amy Rule, Chelsea Bremner, Georgia Ponsonby, Grace Steinmetz and Pip Love were all retained in this year’s contracts list, meaning Canterbury are well represented once again at the national level.
FPC draw announced for 2023
Cantabrians can begin entering in dates in their calendars for the full 2023 season, with the Farah Palmer Cup draw for 2023 confirmed.
Canterbury will begin both their JJ Stewart Trophy, the female equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield that Canterbury have held since 2017, and Premiership title defences at home against Wellington on the 15th of July, at the team’s spiritual home, Rugby Park.
A trip away to Waikato in Round 2 is followed by a home game in Round 3 against Bay of Plenty, also at Rugby Park.
Canterbury are handed the almost perfect bye, midway through the Round Robin in Round 4, and are then away to Hawkes Bay in Round 5.
The only home Double Header of the season will see Canterbury host Counties Manukau in Round 6 as a part of Miles Toyota Club Day, an opportunity to celebrate the entirety of our Community game.
The Round Robin ends away to Auckland in another Double Header, before eyes will turn to the Finals, with semi-finals on the weekend of the 1st to the 3rd of September, and the final on the weekend of the 8th to the 10th of September.
There’s still time to donate your pre-loved boots for Boots for the Bay! Head in to your local Ray White Office or here at Rugby Park before the end of the month to give to those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
