Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

It's our final Double Header of the season tomorrow!!! Otago Spirt host Wellington Pride in the Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings, kick off 2:05pm, it's a battle for a home semi final so be sure to come throw some extra support around our girls to help get them over the line.

The lads take on all time rivals Canterbury for the Payne trophy, you know there's no better battle than a battle of the South, so take advantage of some Saturday afternoon footy, grab your mates and come make some noise!! Kick off 4.35pm.

We've more Otago Representative fixtures taking place this weekend. Check out your options to get out and support our up and coming players below!

Our 2024 Limited Edition Nugget Point Jersey is out now and it's a beaut!!! Shop here: https://orfu.gnsportsclubs.com/ or head along to Otago Sports Depot - they have BOTH the Limited Edition Nugget Point Jersey the team will be wearing, and the 2024 Heritage Jersey in stock!

Otago Rugby/Otago Polytech 2025 scholarship applications are now open. Scroll down for more information.

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!

Otago Head Coach Tom Donnelly has named his side to play against Canterbury in the fifth round of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC this Saturday 7 September, 4:35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. The Otago Spirit play against the Wellington Pride beforehand at 2:05pm. Tickets are available from https://orfu.flicket.co.nz/

Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Whaanga and Finn Hurley will all be playing their 15th Blazer game. Josh Timu makes his way back into the match day 23 after recovering from a lower leg injury.

This weekend the Otago side will be wearing limited-edition Nugget Point Gilbert jerseys as a one off, to acknowledge the contributions to Otago Rugby of our South Otago Rugby community, including legends like David Latta and Richard Knight.

Match-worn jerseys will be auctioned after the weekend, with proceeds going to Community Rugby programs in Otago. Replica limited-edition jerseys can be purchased at the merchandise stand at the game or through the Otago Rugby online shop.

Christian Lio-Willie will lead the team as Captain.

Players unavailable: Sam Gilbert, Tom Sanders, Jake Te Hiwi, Jeremiah Asi, Jack Leslie.

Otago Spirit Head Coach Craig Sneddon has named his side to play against the Wellington Pride in the fifth round of the Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse this Saturday 7th September, 2:05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. The Otago NPC side will be playing against Canterbury afterwards at 4:35pm. Tickets are available from https://orfu.flicket.co.nz/

Jamie Church will play her 15th Blazer game.

Julia Gorinski will lead as Captain.

Players unavailable due to injury: Zoe Frood, Greer Muir, Cheyenne Cunningham, Leah Miles, Maddy Sullivan.
Players unavailable: Mia Cochrane, Lucy Cahill, Maia Joseph.

Our Otago players Jake Te Hiwi, Nathan Hastie, Jack Leslie and Levi Harmon headed out to the Riding for the Disabled facility in Fairfield to visit a rugby mega fan Tom, who has been a frequent rider at R.D.A since he as a young lad. Jack Leslie took 1 for the team and had a go too.

It was great to see what the awesome staff at RDA do on a weekly basis to provide confidence, independence and well-being for people with disabilities through therapeutic horse riding and horse care.

Dunedin RDA does not receive government funding and relies on grants, corporate sponsorship and generous donations from the community to keep the program operating. If you’d like to help out or donate funds to support this amazing program, please reach out to office@rdadunedin.org or visit their Facebook page Dunedin Riding for the Disabled

In 2015 Otago Polytechnic (OP) with the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) established the
ORFU scholarship to assist students with both sporting and academic aspirations.
Two Scholarships will be offered at the discretion of the ORFU for FULL payment of fees for one year of a chosen programme at OP.

The following conditions apply:

2 FULL fees scholarships for one year of full-time study will be awarded at the discretion of the Otago Rugby Football Union for study starting in the year 2025.
This scholarship applies to Domestic students only.
Candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by the Otago Rugby Football Union.
Candidates must meet minimum entry requirements for their programme of choice.
The scholarship may be held concurrently with other awards/grants, subject to approval of Otago Polytechnic
Otago Polytechnic and the Otago Rugby Football Union has the power to terminate the scholarship if the recipient ceases to follow regulations of the programme of study and/or bring the reputation of the Otago Polytechnic or the Otago Rugby Football Union into disrepute.

Please note that receiving an ORFU endorsed Otago Polytech Scholarship does not guarantee a place in the Women’s or Men’s Academies for 2025.

Application forms can be found here

For further information please email Ryan Bambry ryan.bambry@orfu.co.nz