Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

Good afternoon Otago Rugby supporters.

The Southern Region Semi Finals are taking place this weekend, make sure you get on down to the paddock to cheer your team into the Finals! Heriot v Clutha, Heriot Field 1 at 2.45pm and West Taieri v Toko, Outram Domain Field 1 at 2.45pm. Go well men!!!

Keep an eye on our socials next week… We look forward to announcing our 2023 NPC squad. Who are you backing to make the team this year? Full details coming soon.

The 2023 Spirit Squad held their pre seaon camp up in Central Otago over the weekend. Their activities included Junior rugby at Clyde-Earnscleugh RFC, an Amazing Race around Alexandra, Team Building, and Live game scenarios with the Southland Hinds at Molyneux Park. A big thank you to Clyde-Earnscleugh Rugby Club, Alexandra Rugby Club, Ian at Trail Journeys and Liz at Alexandra Holiday Park. The ladies had a quality time connecting with each other and the community. Scroll down to check out some pics.

The 2023 NPC & FPC Draws are out now! Scroll down to check out our Home Games, or check out the full NPC Draw here and FPC Draw here.

Scroll down for more rugby news and announcements like development opportunities, weekly happenings, rugby courses and more…

ODT Interesting Reads!

Blockbuster clashes predicted for semifinals

Sponsored by Cobb & Co Dunedin

Congratulations to another deserving Volunteer of the Month Winner

Sandi Wheeler – Alhambra-Union RFC

“Alhambra-Union stalwart. Every year Sandi says she won't be doing so much next year but when the season comes around she can’t stay away. Every Saturday Sandi is in the kitchen cooking and prepping food for all our teams. She always makes sure the visiting teams are fed before they go. She looks after visitors to the club so well with the food she preps. Every big event Sandi is always on catering, nobody can resist Sandi’s delicious Hams!”

Congratulations Sandi, you have scored yourself a $100 Cobb & Co. Dunedin meal voucher!

All other nominees, Kylie Ratten (Zingari-Richmond), Wayne Carruthers (ORRA), and Jeremy Wara (Harbour) have scored themselves a $50 Cobb & Co meal voucher.

Thank you to all our volunteers for the work that you do for our rugby community week in, week out. We couldn't do it without you all

(Jacob - Left, Image by Weebugs Photography)

This week’s referee profile of the week is someone who has a massive amount of passion for refereeing and brings so much energy to our community game. After playing for Kings high school 1st XV Jacob has brought his vibrant personality and helping approach to Team ORRA.

How long did you play rugby for?

I played all my junior years at Green Island RFC and then my high school Rugby at Kings before hanging up the boots at the end of year 13. So that would make it 13years of playing rugby.

What made you come to refereeing?

I came to refereeing as I had a shoulder injury in my last year of school which forced me to hang up the boots. I had one and a half years off rugby and I really missed the sport, which made me thought that refereeing would be a great opportunity to give back to the game I love and I’ve never looked back.

What have you enjoyed the most about refereeing?

The thing I’ve enjoyed the most about refereeing is probably every Saturday because it’s a game I love. It’s a game that’s more than a game because of the connections you make throughout the community. I’ve made mates for life through refs to players on the field, which most of these people I wouldn’t have even known if I didn’t start refereeing.

What's your greatest refereeing moment to date?

My greatest refereeing moment to date is a tough one but I have a couple, one being getting put on the champ colts semi and final with only being refereeing for 1 year and a half I never thought this would happen. But also every Saturday is a greatest moment cause it’s a new opportunity that you wouldn’t of had the week before to give back to the game you love.

What do you want to get out of refereeing for the future?

I personally don’t think I’ll be getting into the big leagues of refereeing but if the opportunities there I’ll certainly grab it by the horns. But one goal I do have for the future is to make my premier debut.

What would be your advice to someone who's thinking of taking up the whistle?

Just give it a go! Throw yourself out there you will have great support from the ORRA team.

Thanks Jacob, for helping our game!

OUR Game, OUR Referees.