Welcome from North Canterbury
Kia ora all , 2024 has started well across all North Canterbury Clubs.
As the season progresses , it’s great to see the value and connection that sport and our game plays across all our communities, and the direct links between sport and well being. From Junior rugby through to Seniors our sport highlights our communities.
2024 has seen an increase in Colts based teams with Saracens now entering a team and a combined team from Glenmark Cheviot and Hurunui catering for players from the northern clubs of our catchment. This is extremely important rugby space for our sub union and clubs as we work hard to reconnect with school leavers back to clubs. This growth reflects a similar trend in Ellesmere and Metro, highlighting the values rugby plays in all provincial communities.
To date the long dry summer and lack of water has continued with many clubs experiencing hard grounds at a time when normally the weather has softened these pitches. Hard grounds also mean hard and fast rugby so it has been great to see some outstanding games in all grades and the success in particular of the Luisetti seeds combined competition. Bringing competitive games week in week out, finals placings are still up for grabs in many of the fixtures up until the last round of round robin. We watch with anticipation to the semi finals this week with Glenmark Cheviot leading the way for our sub-union in the semis.
It great to see all clubs across North Canterbury celebrating successful club days , adopting and embracing the “keep it positive messaging” and connecting with their local communities and sponsors. We appreciate the support from all businesses back to their local clubs.
In coming months, as we move toward local competitions and play off rounds all bodes well for local match ups, derbies and the run into finals day to be held again at Kaiapoi. The second round of the Div2 competition looks to be a cracker and competitive as ever.
Our August calendar will see our NC Seniors look to repeat their 2023 success in the Tane Norton competition . September will again see NCRSU host the Southbridge shield match and a return to Rangiora Showgrounds. Planning is well underway and we look forward to defending the shield but also celebrating 145 years of rugby between Canterbury and Wellington.
As ever community sport would not exist or survive without the myriad of volunteers from club volunteers to the referees we thank you all for you ongoing voluntary support of community rugby. Enjoy the rest of the season!
Regards,
Alastair Sim
NCRSU Board Chair
High Performance is hitting the road!
Selwyn residents won’t have to go far to see Provincial Rugby up close in 2024. Canterbury today announced that their Bunnings Warehouse NPC preseason against Otago will be held at Foster Park in Rolleston, while the final home game of the Farah Palmer Cup against Hawkes Bay is heading to Prebbleton.
“Our Rugby Community is a vital part of our DNA; they’re of utmost importance to us, emphasised Canterbury Rugby CEO Tony Smail; so, to engage with them, where they are, and where they play their rugby is a key part of who we are and what we do.”
The two matches to be played in Selwyn directly result from the resounding success of Canterbury's first-ever NPC match played outside of Christchurch last year. The match, held in Rangiora as part of the annual Southbridge Shield contest between North Canterbury and Ellesmere, saw Canterbury emerge victorious over Taranaki. This success paves the way for matches in Selwyn, promising an exciting rugby season for the community.
“There are lots of things that go into making a day like that successful, from broadcast to facilities and transport, lighting, and all sorts of things, but with nearly 7,000 people attending the day in Rangiora, I’m sure Selwyn residents will come out in force to support these two games too,” Smail added.
Ellesmere Rugby Sub Union President Chris Thornley agrees. “Our clubs work tirelessly to deliver quality rugby experiences for our community, so to be able to work with Canterbury Rugby to bring these games to Ellesmere is a great reward for the two clubs and everyone that enjoys the game in our region.”
“It’s fantastic to be able to bring these two games to Selwyn for our passionate sports community. Sports and events bring our community together, so to have the opportunity to host such prestigious sporting events like this is a real win. It’s great to see more and more sports choosing Selwyn and recognizing the excellent facilities and opportunities we have. We look forward to seeing many people there and enjoying these games.” Sam Broughton, Mayor, Selwyn District Council.
Rolleston Club President Nicky Ruki said “hosting a high level representative game will be a first for the Club and our Community, it’s a momentous occasion. With the growth in population in Selwyn and in particular Rolleston, we’re incredibly excited to support this event whilst showcasing our facilities.”
“It’s going to be a fantastic day here at Prebbleton. We’ve worked hard to develop a women's program, which is a great reward for all those who have contributed to that.” Jeromy Knowler, Prebbleton Rugby President
The Bunnings Warehouse NPC pre-season match against Otago at Foster Park is scheduled to kick off at 2:05 on Friday, August 02, and will be a free event. The Farah Palmer Cup clash against Hawkes Bay on September 14 also gets underway at 2:05 and will be broadcast on Sky Sport.
Memberships to attend all NPC and FPC home games are on sale now through Ticketek and include the exclusive retro members jersey!
500 Games for local legend Robbie Timo
This Saturday Robbie Timo will achieve something some could only dream of, as he takes the field for his 500th game playing for Sumner Rugby Club.
30 odd years ago Robbie moved to Sumner and thus began his lustrous career. With only a social team available at the time, Robbie has played across all grades as the club developed over the years. Seeing the club grow from strength to strength is what Robbie says he’s most proud of “I’ve seen the club develop” he said, “that’s the best part, being part of that”.
He fondly remembers the years playing with Scott “Razor” Robertson, recalling a time the All Blacks coach told him “ ‘you’ll be playing till your 50’ and I did!”
Robbie is 53 now and says he’s been able to play for so long thanks to a “very understanding wife and daughter”, along with a routine of taking himself for a recovery swim every Sunday morning – when he’s not booting up for the clubs Golden Oldies team.
In the words of Bella Digby, who has played and coached at the club since a child, “he’s a bloody legend. Everyone knows him”.
With no days of the week left untouched with rugby, Robbie also helps out with resource coaching the junior grades, runs a rugby program at Te Aratai College and dabbled in refereeing when completing his sports coaching degree, “I would ref in the morning, then play in the afternoons” Robbie said.
A finger in every Sumner Rugby Club pie you could imagine, Robbie doesn’t stop there. When he’s not at Sumner or teaching at Te Aratai College, Robbie is fulfilling his resource coaching role for CRFU. “It’s a lot of fun seeing a lot of the kids growing up” comments Robbie, “some are Crusaders now and being a part of their coaching group and helping them develop as players when they were young is a really good feeling” comments Robbie.
A celebration of Robbie’s achievement will take place following the 1:00pm match against Canterbury University at home, with a call from Sumner Rugby Clubs Facebook page for supporters to don their floral shirts and board shorts for what they’re calling “a day that is all things Pasifika”.
Words by Hannah Yates
Around the grounds
It’s been a busy few months in Community Rugby, with all grades playing in some of the best rugby weather we have seen in a few years.
Coaches courses have continued and we now have 1,012 coaches who have completed either Rugby Smart or Small Blacks (or for some both), which is outstanding. Every team is required to have an accredited coach to ensure that safety requirements are met so it’s a positive to have more coaches than last year.
Nearly half of our junior coaches have downloaded and are enjoying the IntaSport app. This features coaching videos, plans, and age-specific activities that help junior coaches deliver quality training sessions.
You can download it here, remember to select [club name] so you become part of our community.
In the participation area we have assisted at events for disadvantaged Tamariki to assist with accessing sport, supported the Cantabrians Primary School Fun Day and a number of school events across the province including the Pegasus and Selwyn Sports Spectaculars which sees over 5,000 tamariki have a go at multiple sports.
Upcoming Events
Under 15 Boys Camp | 8 & 9 of July
Under 16/18 Girls Camp | 10 - 12 July
Holiday Programme | 11 & 12 July (Rolleston) , 15 & 16 July (Metro), and 17 & 18 July (Rangiora)
The Cantabrians Under 15 Development Camp and Under 16/18 Girls Gamp are an opportunity to grow and build on rugby skills. Focused around the 6 pillars of development Technical, Tactical, Mental, Leadership, Nutrition, Physical, the aim of these are to promote holistic development of our young players.
More than coaching, we’re growing young men
Coaching any rugby team comes with the added curve ball of learning how to develop different ages and personalities. Mike Thorpe, one of three coaches for Lincoln Rugby Club Junior Boys, understands the importance his role has in this environment and thrives in it.
Mike is in his second year with the boys, who are mainly years 9 and 10 at High School, and says the consistency of working together for a second year is where he has seen the growth happen, “we’re able to make a lot more progress a lot faster,” said Mike.
The team is clearly doing well, having won five from five this season, but spoken as a true coach of young men, Mike’s highlight of his role is something a lot more personal “the achievement is obviously important, and that’s what we work towards, but their growth is far more important” he said, “its generally their growth as young men that we really enjoy”.
After match speeches, understanding game plans and the ability to take on board personal critiques and work on’s are the developments Mike says he loves to see the most “to see them get it and be invested in it is really rewarding”.
Anyone who has met a teenager will know there can come a time when discipline is required, and Mike says the boys learnt very early on that flagging training or distracting teammates would not be tolerated, “the kids respond well when they know where their boundaries are immediately. They’re not only letting us down but they’re letting their team mates down if they continue in that vein”.
Liam, team captain, says Mike has the cool, calm, and collected style of coaching “he’s a calm headed person. He does his research on how to help us improve and is always thinking about the team”.
Mike summed up his viewpoint of his role beautifully, saying “The holy grail of any coach of young people, is to see what they do in training turn up on the playing field. And when that happens you know that what your doing is working. To me, regardless of how your season goes, if you can achieve that - that is worth celebrating”.
With Mike and fellow coaches Matt and Greg guiding them, these Lincoln Junior Boys will take on Sheffield this weekend. The match is certainly one to watch, as both teams battled it out for the top spot in the last phase, with only points differential keeping Lincoln in second place.
Words by Hannah Yates
Monday nights are ‘for the girls’
Canterbury Rugby clubs are making headway with a designated girls only grade. The Monday night competition was created last year and has almost double the teams for the 2024 season.
With teams across Ellesmere, Metro and North Canterbury, girls are coming together every Monday night to play under the lights, but it’s not just the players who are revelling in the relatively new competition.
Two young female coaches, Bella Digby and Sally Clough, are loving their time with their year 4-6 girls’ teams. Both being long standing members of their respective clubs, they have jumped at the chance to give back.
Sumner coach Bella who previously played for NZ Universities and Otago Spirit said the Monday night competition is “so awesome for developing players, and encouraging the girls who are maybe just intimidated to play with the boys. I think having a girl’s only grade is just so awesome to encourage all these new girls to play”.
Echoing Bellas sentiments is Sally from Marist Albion, a current player for the women’s team, who began coaching the girls last season, “It’s really cool to see people like you being in the same sport. Hanging out with like-minded girls, because girls grow differently, sometimes a barrier was that the boys were a lot bigger”.
Both coaches spoke about the opportunity a Monday night competition has for the growth of girls playing rugby, with some players still able to stick with their mixed teams on a Saturday but also those who can remain in other sports and still have the option to give rugby a go, “It’s one of the most important things having this all girls grade” said Bella, “the players are all so busy with other sports, they get to do a little bit of everything they love”.
Sally says the opportunity to play in a girls’ only grade also allows players to try rugby for the very first time, “there’s an option for those girls who want to pick it up but aren’t really sure about their size or who they want to play against. It’s the perfect opportunity to give it a go”.
Emma Dermody, Women’s and Girls Game Developer at CRFU and Canterbury/Matatū player says the female coaches are vital for the growth in women’s rugby, “it shows there is a pathway in rugby no matter what role you’re in. That’s the cool thing about rugby there is a job for everyone” she said, “you see a female referee or coach, you’re not necessarily a female player but how cool is that you can still be involved in rugby in some capacity”.
If you’re wanting more information on girls’ rugby, to play or begin your clubs very own team, you can reach out to Emma on emma.dermody@crfu.co.nz
words by Hannah Yates
We’re seeking not one, but two awesome individuals to join our tight knit and energetic Partnerships and Engagement team.
If you’re passionate about sport and thrive on delivering a sensational fan experience you could score big on and off the field, as our next Head of Engagement. A dynamic leader who will champion our CRFU Engagement Strategy through Marketing, Media and Communications. Electrifying game days to impactful grassroots programs, you'll have your finger on the pulse shaping unforgettable moments and fostering lasting connections.
Due to an internal promotion we’re also recruiting for a co-ordinator position, or as we like to call it the ‘glue’ that keeps everything together. If you’ve got initiative, a can-do attitude and the willingness to get stuck in, apply for our co-ordinator role now and help take us to the next level.
Full position descriptions are available on our website, applications are via seek.
Match official Sam O’Reilly joins the 100 club!
A huge congratulations to Sam O’Reilly who refereed his 100th Premier game last Saturday when Southbridge got the win over Southern in the 1/4 finals of the Luisetti Combined Comp.
Some 10 years since his 2014 debut, dairy farmer and family man Sam has continued to be a huge part of the CRRA both on and off the field. “I really enjoy refereeing, it’s a vital part of club rugby” said Sam.
Rugby an indispensable part of life
Flying halfway across the world from Kansai, Takaya Sugawa has relished in the opportunity to referee in the garden city whilst enjoying what Christchurch has to offer off the field. “What I like about Canterbury is that everyone here is kind and enjoys rugby with all their heart.”
Over the 10 day exchange being hosted by CRRA Sugawa has spent plenty of time around the grounds and getting a feel for our club community. “For me, rugby is an indispensable part of life. Rugby also enriches my life and helps me grow. Through this exchange, I was able to grow both as a referee and as a person.” Later in the year will see Japan host two officials from Canterbury, an invaluable opportunity to connect over the game we all love.
