Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

This week we announced our 2024 Bunnings NPC Squad. The players will assemble this Monday to start prepping for our 2 preseason fixtures, Southland vs Otago - Friday 26 July – Pioneer RFC, Gore – 3:00pm. Canterbury vs Otago – Friday 2 August – Rolleston RFC – 2:05pm. With the first competition home game taking place at 7.05pm on Friday 16 August why not jump online now to purchase your tickets here https://orfu.flicket.co.nz/

Our Spirit girls preseason fixtures are Southland Hinds vs Otago Spirit - Saturday 20 July - Les George Invercargill - 1.30pm and Canterbury vs Otago Spirit - Saturday 3 August - Waimate RFC Waimate - 12.30pm. Otago Women's Development will also play Canterbury Women's Development at 12.30pm in Waimate.

It's Semi Finals time all around the region this weekend across Metro, Central and Southern Men's Premiers, Metro Premier Development and Metro Open Grade Seniors. There will be some epic battles to take that last step into the Finals, so be sure to get down and support your team on the sidelines it might just make the difference!!! All fixtures and results can be found here

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! 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!

Huge semifinal clashes this weekend

Otago Rugby Football Union is pleased to announce the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Otago Squad.

Otago Head Coach Tom Donnelly said, “We believe in this group and we’re proud to see so many local players who have come through our system”. The playing group has a consistent feel with many players gaining NPC experience last season and further game time in Super Rugby this year. There has been some movement in the coaching group which will bring new voices and refreshed energy. Rewarded are a two of our local coaches, Kane Jury and Will Henry, who have significant community coaching experience and now get an opportunity to coach at NPC level. It is also exciting to add a new coach, Lachlan McCaffrey, who will bring fresh ideas and solutions from environments he’s worked in all over the world. Further Donnelly added “We are a tight group, we love representing Otago and are proud to wear the Golden O. We are looking forward to this season and to perform to a level that our loyal fans can get behind and be proud of. We can’t wait for the season to begin”.

Squad Highlights:

Squad features 28 players returning to the Otago NPC team with 548 caps/appearances
University player Ale Aho earns his first full contract
21 players earned Super Rugby experience in 2024
13 went to High School in Otago secondary schools
Welcome back Liam Coltman (82 appearances) after two years in Lyon
Lucas Casey (Kaikorai) Konrad Toleafoa (Southern) and Kyan Rangitutia (Dunedin) will assemble as injury cover the week beginning 22 July and other players may come into the squad on development/injury contracts after player assessments in week 1 and Final of the Premier Men's competition 20 July.

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC kicks off from Friday 9th August 2024. The Otago team play their first game away against Southland on Saturday 10th August at 2:05pm. To view the full 2024 NPC draw click here. All Bunnings Warehouse NPC games will once again be broadcast live and available on Sky Sport.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH WINNER - JUNE

Sponsored by Cobb & Co. Dunedin

Nikita Falconer – Crescent RFC

“I would like to nominate Nikita Falconer for volunteer of the month. She is the secretary of the Crescent Rugby Club, she also runs the junior side of it and has older kids that play in different teams and still manages to do it all.”

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

All other nominees, Andrew Clarkson, Albie Wilkes and Teresa Dynes 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

OTAGO RUGBY REP RUGBY REGISTRATIONS (Expression of Interest)

If you are interested in playing Rep Rugby for Otago this season please fill out the applicable form using links below:

OTAGO METRO BOYS U18, U17 & U16 OPEN DAY:

Wednesday 24 July | 4pm-6pm

University Oval 4

Enquiries to michael.smith@orfu.co.nz

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/299679

OTAGO COUNTRY BOYS U18 & U16 OPEN DAY:

Sunday 21 July | 10am-2pm

Molyneux Park Alexandra

Enquiries to diane.ede@orfu.co.nz

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/299688

OTAGO U18 GIRLS OPEN DAY:

Sunday 28 July | 10am-2pmZingari-Richmond RFC

Enquiries to michael.smith@orfu.co.nz

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/299691

OTAGO METRO U16 GIRLS

Dates still to be confirmed

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/300053

OTAGO COUNTRY U16 GIRLS

Dates still to be confirmed

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/300016

OTAGO U18 GIRLS

Dates still to be confirmed

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/300016

The representative team squads will be named the week after school finals on the 17th August.

Spirit Week: Taieri College ran a spirit week. This was where the senior PE students of the school had to organise an event relating to health and well-being. The final event was physical health activity which was a giant inflatable obstacle course crossed with corn hole and a water slide to finish. The seniors got the juniors to complete the obstacle course they arranged and our Spirit girls Hannah Lithow, Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana and Gemma Millar came and assisted in different areas of the course. It was a fun way to finish the school term and the spirit girls loved being a part of it.

We have an opportunity for our year 7/8 girls to continue growing their rugby. The year 8 festival is coming up on the 27th of July in Balclutha. Previously this event has been a boys festival where the odd girl would be mixed into the boys team, however this year we have introduced a girls only grade which is open to all year 7/8 girls. This will be an awesome day out for our girls to experience with the Otago Spirit FPC and Otago NPC teams also taking part in the day. Game Development - Female Participation legend Aria, will continue her work in this space and will run two more Monday night training's on 1st July (week before holidays) and 22nd July (week after school holidays) in preparation for the Year 8 festival. Teams will be organised prior to the weekend so reach out to aria.monaghan@orfu.co.nz for more details.

Where: Logan Park Turf

LINK TO REGISTER: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/297579

Registrations close Friday 16th August.

This is a FREE event for all students Year 3 to Year 8.

Key details:

Location: Logan Park Turf + surrounding fields.

Briefing: 9:00am.

Kick-off: 9:30am.

Wrapped up: 2:30pm at the latest.

Footwear: Boots recommended (gym shoes are okay) there will be NO BAREFEET ALLOWED sorry.

Food: Bring a packed lunch.

Draw: Will be confirmed closer to the date.

Further information: Will be sent out following registration.