Welcome from Community
Kia ora koutou, welcome to this week’s edition of the Red & Black.
I am Michael Sheat and have recently taken over the Community Rugby Manager role from Fiona Smith.
Firstly, a huge thanks to Fiona for all that she has done in leading Community Rugby over the past few seasons. We wish her all the best in her new role with New Zealand Rugby as the South Island Womens and Girls Rugby Manager.
I am hugely passionate about Community Rugby, I have been in the Game Development Manager role for the last few years and prior to that worked as the Rugby Manager for the Ellesmere Sub Union. I am looking forward to meeting more of our rugby community and working with clubs and schools to deliver unforgettable rugby experiences.
I have also had a heavy involvement in club rugby, and I recently ticked over 250 Division 1 games for my club Southbridge. My time at Southbridge has seen me go from playing halfback to hooker which has made Sunday mornings abit harder! As my playing days get closer to the end I reflect on all of the positive experiences I have had and friends I have made through rugby, we are involved in such an awesome rugby community full of great people.
Our community team has been busy this week delivering skills development camps to over 250 players in the Under 15 boys and Under 16/Under 18 girl’s space. It has been awesome to see so many talented young rugby players learning new skills, forming connections and having fun.
Whilst our Junior and Teenage teams have a couple of weeks break for school holidays, the Senior competitions are getting to the pointy end of the season with playoffs either started or on the horizon.
We also have our Representative rugby season fast approaching with some exciting rugby ahead, so lots to look forward to.
I wish all teams all the best for the rest of the senior competitions, as the competitions heat up remember to keep it positive on the sidelines and have fun.
Ngā mihi,
Michael Sheat
Community Rugby Manager
New trophy for first XV rivals in honor of NZ School rugby stalwart
Anyone who has been involved in High School rugby in Canterbury will be familiar with the long standing rivalry between Christchurch Boys High School and St Bede’s College 1st XV teams. Playing against each other for over a century, crowds are in full force when these two power houses meet on the field in the Miles Toyota Premiership.
The glory of one of these teams putting a win on the other has only been signified with bragging rights, that is until now. This year the schools celebrate the introduction of a prestigious trophy, The Davidson Trophy, which has been named after a servant to secondary school rugby for thirty years, Gerry Davidson.
“I was very grateful” said Davidson speaking about the honour of having the trophy named after him, “It’s always going to be hard fought and something really worth winning. That in itself was certainly a really pleasing part of it”.
The Deputy Rector at St Bede’s College, Davidson continues to assist with the school’s rugby teams across the grades as well as being part of their 1st XVs management team. During his time coaching the 1st XV side, Davidson saw them to finals each year between 2008-2011. He also coached them through their most successful period in history, during 2007-2013 where they were undefeated at home, for a staggering 62 games as well as four South Island championships.
The first game to fight for the the Davidson Trophy took place Matariki weekend, where CBHS were the first to raise it after a nail biting last few minutes. Davidson spoke about it being a wonderful day hosted at St Bede’s College, “it was a really good day, a great game, it was close and hard fought” he said, “it was great to have family and friends here to see the trophy being presented. I was appreciative of that”.
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!
Around the grounds
These school holidays our community team have hosted over 250 players across our U15 boys and U16/18 girls camps. The boys at Shirley Boys High School, and the girls were collected from Rugby Park and taken to the training base at Lincoln University.
It’s been amazing getting these young players together from clubs and schools across the province, developing their skills and making life long friends - precisely what rugby is all about!
Countdown is on to fly your flags this season!
With just one month to go until our first home game, it’s time to get fizzing!!
Round One of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC kicks off at Apollo Projects Stadium, with an exciting Double Header. The newly entered Canterbury Pasifika side will play against Waitaha for the Tane Norton Cup, ahead of your Canterbury Mens side taking on Northland.
Our wāhine will start their season away, against last years fellow semi finalist, Waikato. You can check out the full season draw here.
Hot property!
Here’s what our fans are saying about this years’ EXCLUSIVE jersey, only available to members!
Our 2024 Membership includes the retro jersey, tickets to all eight home games, reserved members seating, exclusive content and much more!
There’s still time to nab one before the season starts, but they’re selling fast…
