Welcome to 2025
Ngā mihi o te tau hou and welcome to the first edition of Red & Black for 2025.
As we kick off another exciting year of rugby in Canterbury, I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from last year as well as look forward to the year ahead.
2024 was a year full of determination, growth and passion on the field with both our top teams battling it out in the final stages of their respective competitions, and overall growth in our player numbers across the region, especially in the women’s game. Whether on the field, in the stands, or behind the scenes, our community continues to prove that rugby is more than just a game, it offers a sense of belonging for all.
As we move into 2025 with our strategy in mind, our goals are clear. This year promises to be one of high energy, fierce competition, and moments that will make us all proud. We will continue to improve the rugby offering at all levels, so here’s to a year full of determination, teamwork, and the unmatched spirit of rugby with a position on the team for everyone!
With registrations going live next week and many clubs already stuck into their pre-season program, the 2025 season is already upon us and we can’t wait to see how it progresses.
Ngā mihi,
Tony Smail
Canterbury Rugby CEO
2025 season incoming!
Just like that we’re already gearing up for another huge season around the grounds! To kick things off we’re diving in to a new registration and competition management system created especially for the code we know and love, say hello to Rugby Xplorer (RX).
Launched in Australia with huge success also seen across the US, the profile based digital platform aims to improve player experience throughout the season with user friendly and rugby specific functions, allowing more engagement across all levels of rugby. Committed to being quick, simple and seamless, Rugby Xplorer was given the green light by New Zealand Rugby in August 2023 following extensive market analysis, with the staggered roll out beginning in October last year.
Registrations for the 2025 season will open in the coming weeks across Canterbury, where all players will create an RX profile online before signing up to play rugby for their respective club or school.“As with the launch of any new project, there will be an element of adaptation and some patience required whilst we get into the swing of things”, said Community Rugby Manager Michael Sheat. “The big win for Canterbury Rugby as well as Clubs and Schools is the ability to better analyse player and team data, from an administration point of view this is a future proofed system.”
With the focus being connecting with the heart of the communities, training sessions have been ongoing for provincial unions, to ensure that all participants, from administrators to coaches, are fully equipped to navigate the new system efficiently. Support for Clubs and Schools will commence shortly to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Both an efficient and intelligent platform, Rugby Xplorer is designed to foster connections within the global rugby community, encouraging users to engage, share experiences, and build relationships.
An email with information on how to create your RX profile has been sent by New Zealand Rugby to all 2024 registered players today, you can also click here to get started.
Keep an eye on your inbox and our social channels for when to register, and let’s get stuck in!
There’s a position the team for everyone!
Introducing the U85kg grade to Canterbury club rugby in 2024 was part of Canterbury Rugby’s commitment to inclusivity and the belief there truly is a position on the team for everyone.
Purposely designed for those who might not be equipped for premier, U85’s allows players to take the field each week and play the game they love - moving around the field of play, the flexibility will have you trying out positions on the field you never thought possible.
U85’s is the fastest growing club competition across all provinces.
New Brighton, Burnside, Sydenham and Lincoln University saw a range of players lacing up for their newly formed teams last year. Some were returning to the code for the first time in ten years, others were colts’ players who felt they weren’t quite ready for premier, and there were even those picking up the ball for the very first time.
“It’s designed for everyone under 85kgs, no matter their skill set” says Denis Cations New Brighton Club Captain.
With every man on the field being within the same weight range, there are also less injuries making it safer and more fun for everyone. Cations added “the players didn’t want to play guys that were 10-20kg heavier than them, they didn’t want to get smashed, they didn’t want to get hurt. It was more enjoyable playing guys their own size.”
It would be fair to assume that Cations has seen a few games during his 50 years at New Brighton, nonetheless, he says the final of his club against Lincoln University is one of the best games of rugby he’s ever seen, “it was end to end – some of the tackles were pretty ferocious but everybody was the same size, and nobody got hurt, that was the beauty of it! It’s an exciting brand of rugby, it’s very free flowing.”
It doesn’t end in Canterbury though, with the opportunity post club season to go that step further and enter in the New Zealand U85kg National Cup, where the top 45 teams across the country battle it out, with High School Old Boy’s Light Bears winning in 2023 and again reaching the final in 2024.
Whether you’re a player on the lighter side or keen to get involved for 2025, we’d love to see you out there! Better yet, get your club involved and reach out here.
words by Hannah Yates
Upcoming Events
Check out what’s on around the grounds…
STRENGTH SERIES with Ash Jones 17th February, 24th February, and 3rd March | Rugby Park
A huge thank you to our 2024 Pathways Partners.
