Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

It's Whanau Day at Forysth Barr Stadium tomorrow, Saturday 4th May. There will be three games being played across three different grades, Junior, Premier Colts and Premier Men. Free entry and free car parking (State Highway 88 side), Gate H opens at 11am with Compass Catering open for food and drink! More details on the flyer below.

We have our first four nominees for the Cobb & Co Volunteer of the Month! Scroll down below to see each submission highlighting Community Rugby's local legends. Be sure to jump on Facebook to throw your vote behind your pick, voting closes 7th May 12pm.

If you are coaching U14's and above you need to be Rugby Smart accredited, the last chance to do this in person is on Wednesday 8th May at the ORFU offices at Forsyth Barr Stadium at 6pm. Attendees need to make sure they are registered as a Coach via their Club or School!

Otago Rugby is reaching out to individuals across the region to help shape our game, specifically focusing on Women & Girls and Teenage Rugby. These advisory groups will convene either online or in person four times throughout 2024. If you're passionate about helping develop the game scroll down below for more info!

2024 Season Memberships are now ONSALE!!! In 2024 all members will receive a $10 voucher per membership to shout themselves some food or a bevy on us! Plus the opportunity to secure seats to the ABs v England Test Match! To sign up you can find our Membership Sign Up Form and information booklet HERE

The 2024 NPC & FPC Draws are out! Scroll down to check out our Games, or check out the full Draws here… FULL NPC DRAW, FULL FPC DRAW.

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

ODT Interesting Reads!

Voting (CLICK HERE - Otago Community Rugby Facebook page) closes Tuesday 7th May at 12pm

John Caswell – Otago Community Rugby

Quiet and unassuming in the way he goes about his work but the shots he takes and stories his images portray are quite the contrary. John has been profiling the community game from Junior grades, secondary schools to adult rugby for the better part of a decade and provides these images to Otago Rugby to profile all parts of our game. John's ability to capture the perfect moment of a try-saving tackle or supporters in full-flight sideline cheering adds tremendously value to our game.

Cam Burrow – Dunedin RFC

Cam has put his hand to multiple roles already in the 2024 community rugby season. He is the current Chair of Dunedin RFC, the coach of the Sharks Ururoa Premier women's team and is a member of the MCRC match committee. Not only has he helped his club but also our match officials refereeing twice on the same day after one of the referees fell injured during a match.

Karla Wilson – Upper Clutha RFC

Karla has been instrumental in establishing a Girls U13 Central Otago team. With a daughter who loves rugby, Karla was seeking further opportunities for her and other local girls in Upper Clutha to play together and against other females. It started with trying to get 10 girls together to make a team to play in the Global Games Girls Rugby 10's festival in Auckland later this year. It has since grown to 19, with girls across Central Otago coming together for trainings and even played in their first tournament at the Alexandra 7s tournament last month, which we hear was an amazing experience for all involved. People like Karla, make the difference in our community.

Fiona Wilkinson – Owaka RFC

She is the definition of the saying "if you want anything done, ask a busy person to do it" Fiona is secretary of southern region JAB, an Owaka JAB delegate and the quickest we know at getting the minutes done and sent, completes the draws for the competitions and ensures clubs are kept up to date with communication. Quote from another delegate "We would be screwed without her". Alongside this, she is a busy volunteer at Owaka Rugby Club, Kaka Point Surf lifesaving club (and likely more) and chasing her boys around with activities. Another legend in our community.

On Wednesday night the Metropolitan Secondary School Girls Rugby teams had their first development day.

What an epic turned out even considering the cooler weather conditions. The girls showed true courage and dedication in preparation for their first round of footy kicking off in a couple of weeks - save the date: Wednesday 15th May.

A huge thank you to Emma Baird and Spirit players Eilis Doyle and Julia Gorinski for giving up their time to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation.

See you all again Monday 6th May under the roof!!!!

2 opportunities to help grow the game!

These roles are essential in shaping the game's future direction. For more information and the terms of reference contact warren.kearney@orfu.co.nz

To apply for the Women & Girls Advisory Group CLICK HERE: https://forms.gle/NdS8n9KKmLAV52L17

To apply for the Teenage Advisory Group CLICK HERE: https://forms.gle/TR6i6ay2VoCa9pHd9

Closes 10th May 2024