Welcome from our NPC Head Coach
Welcome to this edition of Red & Black and Bunnings Warehouse NPC semi final week!
As the team prepares for this weekends big push to the final, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you, our Canterbury Rugby community, for all your support this season.
It was incredible to see so much red and black in the crowd at Blenheim last weekend and read all the comments coming through our social channels. We feel our vocal, steadfast and one eyed Cantab fans behind us, giving us that extra boost every game.
It has been a privilege to coach the team this year and am incredibly proud of this group of men. We all know you will be behind us again this weekend for this finals push.
So from the team, management and myself- thank you and UP THE RED & BLACK!
Marty Bourke
NPC Head Coach
Rep Round Up
Representative rugby season has come to a close and boy, what a season it was! Let’s take a look at some of the highlights…
The sidelines were humming with supporters across all three South Island Underage tournaments hosted in Canterbury, and two senior games played as double headers for Bunnings Warehouse NPC matches - what an incredible year for representative rugby in Canterbury. “It has been a real privilege to stage these events for so many players to perform at a higher level and providing them opportunities to develop their rugby skills ” said Michael Sheat, Canterbury Community Rugby Manager.
The U19 Boys began the string of Canterbury hosted tournaments, and your home side took out the competition with a 40-19 win over Otago. A few weeks later the U16 South Island Boys finals, hosted by Waihora Rugby Club, saw sixteen teams take to the fields and battle it out for the title. The final took place on the Saturday, with Otago Metro taking the spoils. Our five Canterbury based teams performed well throughout, ultimately though falling short of the Cup final, but no doubt better for the experience.
While the rugby community was still revelling in the high of an amazing three days of solid games, the attention turned to the U18 Girls. Playing the last of their round robin at Nga Puna Wai on Sunday, the finals then took place across the following two days. The pinnacle of the tournament came down to an intense battle between our very own Canterbury Black against Otago, with a score of 27-27 at the final whistle. The nail biting draw brought the decision down to a points differential tie break, and our Canterbury Black side were announced the winners!
Canterbury Pasifika entered the Tane Norton competition for the first time this year, and went head to head with Waitaha before the first NPC home game of the season; North Canterbury put a strong win over Ellesmere ahead of the NPC game in Rangiora allowing them to retain the Southbridge Shield for another year. The Cantabrians were the competition winners, leading the table by five points and lifted the Tane Norton trophy after a 59-28 win against Waitaha.
Our Canterbury B Men’s and Canterbury Women’s Development teams also performed admirably throughout their campaigns, relishing the opportunity to pull on the red and black jersey.
“So many FPC and NPC Canterbury players have gone through these tournaments” said Sheat, “they provide opportunities for young players to showcase their skills and represent their province or sub union. They are the breeding ground for the next greats of Canterbury Rugby”.
Sheat also noted the efforts from our team here at Canterbury Rugby as a highlight, “There is a lot that goes into staging these events and I am really proud of the entire Community Rugby team for the work they have done throughout this period”.
Canterbury Rugby would like to thank every player, coach, referee and administrator it took to get these games out in the community.
words by Hannah Yates
Future Leaders Come Forth
An exciting new opportunity is arising at Canterbury Rugby for young rugby fanatics to get their hands dirty behind the scenes and be a part of keeping the province on top of its game.
The Canterbury Rugby Board is taking applications from those keen to put their ideas forward in our very first Youth Advisory Council.
This new council will have direct communication with the Board on matters of strategies and decisions related to Canterbury Rugby, from community level to FPC and NPC.
Capturing a wide age range between 15 and 30 years, it is the Boards hope to gain views from teenagers right through to those involved in high performance. This is an opportunity not just for players, but anyone who is highly interested and motivated to make a difference within the rugby community. Canterbury Rugby Board Member, Valentine Tauamiti says they’re looking for people who are “passionate about growing the game of rugby, youth voice, and helping shape a safer, more enjoyable appealing game for all”.
The Youth Council Advisory will have bi-monthly meetings with focus groups targeting specific needs and areas of growth within Canterbury Rugby, as well as governance, cultural intelligence and communication workshops. The council will have eight members, and will be guided by the Boards Emerging Director, Tana Luke. “This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for young voices to shape the future of rugby in Canterbury” said Luke, “We believe that by involving youth, we can ensure a vibrant and innovative path forward for the sport”.
The decision to form the new council came about after identifying “a gap in the knowledge and awareness of an age group that contributes a huge amount to our player numbers, and community” said Tauamiti, “young people know an awful lot about young people, and we would love to have their input and insights at the decision-making table”.
As well as a fantastic learning opportunity, council members will get exposure to the work that goes on behind the scenes of one of New Zealands leading sporting communities, and potential future roles like Emerging Director which Valentine comprised in 2023, before taking a seat with the Board Directors. Holding the position in 2021-2022, Guiliana Petronelli described her experience as a “great opportunity” as well as giving her an “understanding of what good governance looks like, sitting around that table with people who are immensely passionate about the game and the community”.
Think you or someone you know would make a great addition to the Youth Advisory Council? What are you waiting for?! Click here to apply for the Youth Advisory Board now! Or send it to someone you know would make a great contribution! (then come right back here and keep reading the Red and Black 😉).
words by Hannah Yates
Semi Final Showdown
BE IN TO WIN
Whether you're in the crowd, supporting from the pub, or hosting a watch party at home, TAG US @canterburyrugby in your game day content! Use the hashtag #redandblack to be in to win a Canterbury Rugby supporters pack!
One lucky winner will be chosen and notified on Monday 21st October via private message on the social media account used to share the content.
