Hello, my name is Cameron Bone and I am the Rugby Manager for the Ellesmere Rugby Sub-Union, responsible for the management and administration of rugby out in the Selwyn district.
Previously to my role here with Ellesmere, I have been involved in the rugby community in many aspects. I first started playing as a youngster in Southland, which has continued to this day for Belfast in the Metro competition. I have also been involved as a strength and conditioning coach since I left university, firstly starting with an internship with the Highlanders in Dunedin then to moving to Christchurch and working with Belfast rugby club and numerous Canterbury representative teams. A real highlight of my rugby career so far was the campaign spent with the Canterbury Under 19’s squad in 2021. It was great to work with such a great group of players and to watch many of them already move up into higher honours with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
It is truly exciting to now be working for Ellesmere rugby as community rugby and country rugby are particularly close to my heart. The Ellesmere rugby community have been amazing and extremely supportive of me since I started in this role which is indicative of the amazing people that have aligned themselves with the numerous clubs we have in Ellesmere.
Already this year, there has been some fantastic rugby been played in the Luisetti combined competition through to our junior grades. With the Luisetti Seeds Combined competition nearing the end of their round robin, more great matches are on the way with numerous teams still in the hunt for the semi-finals.
This weekend across Ellesmere, we also have four fantastic club days organised. They are at the Selwyn, Diamond Harbour, Southbridge and Springston Rugby clubs. They will be showcasing their clubs and amazing country hospitality, so head on down and see what they have to offer.
Good luck to all those participating in rugby over the weekend and with no rain on the forecast, it will be great to see everyone out on the grass enjoying our great game.
Ngā mihi,
Cameron Bone
Rugby Manager, Ellesmere Rugby Sub-Union
Community Welcome
FPC Wider Training Squad announced
Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup Head Coach Jimmy Sinclair has made the first selections of his time in charge, announcing the FPC Wider Training Squad for the 2023 season.
An initial 65-women wider squad began training last night, working towards retaining both the Farah Palmer Cup and JJ Stewart Trophy in 2023.
“Having the Wider Squad training together and building towards the season allows us to view all of our players in the same environment, but also build a connected and supportive group of players.” said Sinclair.
The Wider Training Group is highlighted by Canterbury's 10 contracted Black Ferns, as well as a number of players being eligible for selection following injuries or other commitments, such as Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, who has returned from an injury sustained prior to last season's FPC.
“There’s a wide range of girls’, from Black Ferns to new club players, who have all put their hands up in the early part of this season, and we look forward to seeing the growth that comes out from the competition for places amongst this wider group.”
Players from six clubs, University, Christchurch, Lincoln University, Linwood, High School Old Boys’ and Prebbleton, are represented in the wider group.
Canterbury will announce their final FPC squad following the club season at the end of June.
Ohoka Club Day highlighted by new Tri Rugby team
Off the back of the successful High School Old Boys’ Tri Rugby side, Ohoka is beginning to offer a new home for all abilities rugby in Canterbury.
Aimed at providing more competition for the burgeoning all abilities playing group, it is also hoped that by having another side available in North Canterbury that more people can give Tri Rugby a go, giving opportunities to those that may not have been able to play rugby in the past.
“My son Owen and I were with the High School Old Boys’ Tri Rugby team for two seasons,” said North Canterbury Tri Rugby organiser Matt Henry, “and the Pete, Lynda and Livo (organisers of HSOB Tri Rugby) were looking at expanding it out to other clubs to create Tri Rugby programmes. I live out in Swannanoa, so it provided a great opportunity to create another club out in North Canterbury, and with the support of Ohoka Rugby Club, we were able to set something up at the end of last year.”
“We had an initial four players practicing on a Sunday, had about a month introduction before our first game as part of the Southbridge Shield. This season, we’ve moved our practice to be just before the Div 1 team’s practice on a Thursday, allowing us to utilise the Div 1 players as enablers, which has been ideal as it’s such an important part of Tri Rugby.” Henry said.
Last weekend, the group had their second game of the season as a part of Ohoka’s Club Day, with HSOB and Ohoka joining forces to provide an important experience for all players involved.
“We mixed all of the players up and had a game at Ohoka, a curtain raiser for the Div 1 team, who came along to show their support for the players. They also got a meal and a after match afterwards which was a really cool and unique experience for them.”
The team will now continue to build till their next game on HSOB’s Club Day on the 10th of June.
“We’re always on the lookout for new players and people to give it a go. These players have as much passion, if not more, than other players, so to provide opportunities for them to experience rugby is really exciting and we can’t wait for more.”
If you know of someone who would love to give Tri Rugby a go, contact Matt at trirugbynthcanterbury@gmail.com
Ellesmere Division 2 - Round 6
Luisetti Seeds Combined Country Division 1 Draws - Round 8
New staff in our community team
Exciting times in the Canterbury Rugby Community Team, with a number of new staff members starting in our Game Developers Space!
Emma Dermody – Game Developer – Women’s & Girls’
Emma has joined the team as the Game Developer for Women’s and Girls’. Emma’s role sees her in focusing of growing the exciting women’s game, with a lot of momentum present following the successes of our Canterbury and Matatu sides, but also the Black Ferns World Cup win last year.
In the Women’s and Girl’s space, we’ve got a new Junior Girls’ Grade, work happening on Intermediate Girls grade, growth in our Senior Girls’ (U17) grade and a variety of options available for our Senior Women, across both the Bascik Transport Women’s Premier and Premier Reserve competitions as well as a new structure in the Miles Toyota Cup which is providing specialised coaching to all teams through the season. Emma may be a familiar face for some amongst the rugby community, where she plays for Lincoln University, Canterbury and Matatū.
Claudia Bethell – Game Developer – Participation
Focussing on growing participation and exposure to rugby via primary schools, via a new initiative to introduce rugby into the school curriculum called the Takarokaro Programme as well as creating new non-contact opportunities across primary and secondary school age groups, Claudia joins the team as the new Game Developer for Participation.
This is a new role coming out of our strategic planning last year to better service the needs of a changing community, Claudia will be working with schools and linking in local clubs to implement the programme, for which, more details can be found here - https://www.takarokaro-sport.net/
Mark Croft – Game Developer – Coaching and Playing
Mark Croft has also joined the team, joining Riki Tahere as a Game Developer in Coaching and Playing in the Metro area. Mark’s role will see him focus on developing players and coaches with the Metro Clubs and Schools, from Small Blacks and Rugby Smart courses, through to helping facilitate World Rugby Coaching qualification courses.
Mark is well known in coaching circles throughout Metro Club rugby. Mark will continue his coaching role as the forwards coach for the Canterbury B side. Mark is looking forward to working with community coaches and helping them hone their craft.
Bascik Transport Premier competitions - Round 7
Empire Chicken joins Canterbury Rugby as a Major Partner
Last week, it was exciting to announce Empire Chicken have joined Canterbury Rugby as a Major Partner, with their brand featuring on the sides of both our NPC and FPC jerseys this season.
They will also feature on all replica jerseys and will remain present throughout our community thanks to a number of community orientated initiatives!
After joining as a Pathways Partner last year, Empire Chicken have been present at a number of Club Days, including University and Rolleston’s Club Days this year, and, as a part of their new Major Partnership, will offer Player of the Day prizes for a number of Junior clubs in our community!
It’s great to have Empire Chicken back on board in 2023, and we can’t wait to have them onboard for more Club Days soon!
Miles Toyota Premiership & Championship - Round 3
Kings Birthday break provides opportunity to refresh
Just 4 years’ on from it’s introduction, the King’s Birthday break has been almost universally adopted, with only the Luisetti Seeds Country Combined Competition in action over the long weekend.
Off the back of the Voice of the Participants survey, the decision was made to take the long weekend off in-season, providing teams, players and volunteers the opportunity to get away from rugby and refresh in the middle of the season, ensuring that everyone is ready to hit the rest of the season running.
It will also mean there is no The Red & Black next week, but you can stay up-to-date with the action from the weekend on our Social Media.
Gallery - Miles Toyota Cup
The Miles Toyota Cup has begun for 2023, with teams hitting the field at South Hagley Park on Wednesday! Photos: Peter Meecham/CGHS
