Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

Good Afternoon Otago supporters!!!

How is it July already! As we head into the final few weeks for most of Club Rugby we hope you've managed to get out on the sidelines to support your teams, if not, check out this weekend's draw here and head on down to cheer them on before you have to wait another year to enjoy the magic of club rugby!

FPC and NPC Season are almost upon us, and we are fizzed up. Our 2022 Spirit squad was announced this week, so check out the article below to see if your favourite players made the cut.

This week we wanted to make special mention of Clutha Life Member Jack Harrold. Jack has been involved with Clutha Rugby Club for 70 years in a variety of roles, and last weekend Clutha Rugby Club made time to acknowledge his contribution and loyalty to his club. Check out Jacks acknowledgment below.

2022 Bunnings NPC Otago Season Memberships are on sale now click here to lock your membership in!

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

ODT Interesting Reads

We are super excited to be gearing up for the 2022 rugby season and have created a little tool box to help get you started. Check out our links below for all things Community Rugby!

TOOLS FOR YOUR 2022 RUGBY SEASON

Want to see the latest Community Rugby Updates
Or looking for those Forms and Documents
Check out all you need to know for Junior Rugby
What about brushing up on Laws & Education
And to find your nearest club and contacts head to our Club Directory

CLICK HERE

Otago Rugby Football Union is proud to announce the 2022 Farah Palmer Cup Otago Spirit Squad.

Otago Spirit Coach Scott Manson said, “This is a very exciting group for us this year. We welcome back the leadership and expertise of Zoe Whatarau who returns after having a baby last year. It’s great to have Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali in the group who is playing for the Spirit for the first time since 2014 after stints with Counties-Manukau and Northland. We also welcome Dunedin-born Georgia Cormick from Melbourne. Georgia has a lightning-quick pass and brings test match experience having played for the Wallaroos. Kiana Wereta has returned to Dunedin too. Along with this experience, we have two very promising school girls in Grace Hastie out of St Hilda’s and Te Atawhai Campbell out of Otago Girls’ High.”

Tegan Hollows and Julia Gorinski have been named as co-captains for 2022.

The squad will be announced by Head Coach Scott Manson tomorrow following the Women’s Premier Club Final between Big River Country and Dunedin Wahine in Clydevale, South Otago.

The Farah Palmer Cup is set to begin 16th July. The Otago Spirit play their first away game against Hawke’s Bay on Saturday 23rd July. All Farah Palmer Cup games presented by Bunnings Warehouse will once again be broadcast live and available on Sky Sport.

For any further comments, please contact Richard Kinley, General Manager Otago Rugby Football Union, 021 229 9809.

2022 COACHING STAFF

Head Coach: Scott Manson

Assistant Coach: Hannah Stolba

Assistant Coach: Ash Barron

Assistant Coach: Helen Littleworth

S & C Coach: Nathan Roberts

Physio: John Kieu

Manager: Rowena Duncum

Assistant Manager: Kate Ebrahim

Pictured: Jack Harrold (right) with Otago Rugby President Roy Daniels.

Speech below by Clutha Rugby Club Captain Darren Huddleston

Jack joined the Clutha Rugby Football Club as an 18 year old in 1952, playing premier rugby in the 50s, mixed in with some Senior B rugby through into the 60’s. Our records read he was a very handy forward in his time of playing.

A person never to shy away from being involved Jack was President from 1966-1967 at a young age of 32 and was President at the time of the Club’s 90th Anniversary Celebrations - all whilst still playing.

The 1970’s saw Jack take up a new role in the club, Coach, taking the coaching reigns of Clutha for 4 years. Around this time also school boys became part of the club and along with Bill Driver and Gordon Cowie these men made this happen.

Jack was instrumental in raising the funds needed for the new clubrooms build. A goal that was set in 1965 to be achieved in time for the 1976 centennial celebrations and achieve it they did. It was also Jack’s brilliant idea to incorporate squash courts into the build having been on a North Island trip and seeing the popularity of the sport up there.

Having read out the above it is no wonder that Jack was bestowed a Life Membership of the Club in 1976 at the Centennial Celebrations.

Jack’s contribution did not stop there. He then turned his hand to Golden Oldies Rugby - organising trips and tournaments in NZ and Australia - those that were part of this, talk with great fondness of these times. Hence in 1994 Life Membership Number 2 came - Life Membership to the Golden Oldies.

In latter years Jack could be found supporting from the sidelines - a supporter who reads the game of rugby incredibly well. We all know how much he enjoyed watching sons Stephen and Brett, Grandsons Jared, Blake, Michael and Rhys wear the red and white and thrive like he did in this club.

As a committee we have found it both humbling and invigorating to hear all of the above - your contribution Jack absolutely huge! A player, coach, president, committee member, builder, supporter for the past 70 years.

Wife Hilda you are also an absolute legend! Behind every rugby man is a rugby wife - Hilda always quietly supporting Jack and the team, whilst contributing hugely as well to the netball community of South Otago.

How long did you play for?

I was a late bloomer and played u11s through to u18s. Early on in my refereeing journey I got itchy feet and played a couple of games(not very well I’ll add!). But I don’t miss the sore body on a Sunday!

What made you come to refereeing?

In my last year of High school at Otago Boys I had some injuries and was starting to lose the love of playing. The director of rugby at OBHS, Ox Baker steered me in the direction of refereeing. It took a lot of encouragement! But, I eventually gave in and got the bug.

What have you enjoyed the most about refereeing?

The social aspect is one that has kept me doing it for 13 years. The group of guys and girls in our club are a great bunch and have supported me through the good times and the bad.

I also relish the challenge that refereeing brings. Each grade I’ve stepped up to has provided new challenges and experiences.

What's your greatest refereeing moment to date?

I’ve had a few great milestones. My first ever game was memorable back in 2010 being an under 11s fixture – it was my first step in my journey. Through to my first Premier fixture back in 2015, and lastly my NPC debut as an AR last year for Otago v Taranaki. I never though I’d achieve any of this as an 17 year old back in 2010.

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

More enjoyment. More enjoyable experiences and at the end of my refereeing days look back and say I did everything within my ability that I could have.

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

Just give it a go. You’ve got nothing to lose by doing it and you’re helping many people by lending a hand. If you’re the type of person that want’s a new challenge or journey then have a crack and see how far it takes you!

Thanks Brandon, for helping our game!

OUR Game, OUR Referees.

Congratulations to the following players who have been selected for our NZR National Under 18 Māori Development Camp Tane from July 17-20 in Rotorua. These players attended and have been selected from the 5 Regional E Tu Toa camps held in April.

Paki Tu, Paki Toa, Paki Rongo, Paki Ora

Josh Whaanga - JMC

Jack Timu - JMC

Ben Joseph - JMC

Keegan Ferguson - JMC

Orlando Vaitupu - King's High School

Kalani Vinisi - King's High School

Eric Peita - Otago Boys High School

Phoenix Tapatu - Otago Boys High School

The Otago Rugby High Performance programmes are an exciting opportunity for local and domestic talented young rugby athletes to discover a pathway in the game while upskilling themselves on all aspects off and on the field. The programme supports all accepted athletes whether they are studying or in the work force and also offers multiple avenues of support while these athletes take in the demands of possible professional rugby.

The benefits we have at Otago Rugby is the support of Otago University and Otago Polytech with wide range of educational opportunities within a stone's throw of the academy which is based at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The facilities and services that are available are a High-Performance gym facility, access to Bunnings NPC & Farah Palmer Cup coaches & staff, medical personnel, Sportscode video review facilities and also the pathway opportunity with the Highlanders.

While at the academy all athletes will be guided on their personal development through the six pillars of NZ Rugby; technical, tactical, physical, nutrition, mental skills, personal life skills, and will be assisted by multiple qualified staff within Otago Rugby.

In 2023, Otago High Performance department wishes to guarantee a place for a male and female player in the Men's Academy & Women's HP Groups respectively for country based players. Please note these players must be Year 13 to apply for a 2023 place.

All enquiries to Otago High Performance Development Manager:

Ryan Bambry - ryan.bambry@orfu.co.nz

Application form link: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/199074

Otago Rugby Premier Competition Applicable Law Changes for 2022 (WRLV/EDSLVs)

As previously advised last year, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is enhancing the safety and appeal of the sport in 2022, with an expansive range of Experimental Domestic Safety Law Variations (EDSLVs) being rolled out in school and club rugby next season.

The changes, which were approved by the NZR Board in late August, were developed following a series of trials and workshops in 2021, and are part of NZR’s ongoing commitment to improving participant’s experiences, safety, and the appeal of the game.

Click here and scroll down to see the Otago Rugby Premier Competition Applicable Law Changes for 2022 (WRLV/EDSLVs) that will be used in Metro, Southern and Central Premier Competitions from 1 January 2022.