Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

What a weekend we had last weekend with Finals Footy across the regions! A massive congratulations to Upper Clutha, Clutha and Kaikorai who all took out the Premier and Division 1 Competitions!!! A special mention also goes to Taieri whose Division 3 men had a big win against Kaikorai in their Final.

This weekend we've got a best of the best battle with the annual Country Wide Final. It's Upper Clutha v Clutha battling it out for the country title. Get on down to Wanaka Showgrounds tomorrow for a 2.45pm kick off.

It's another round of pre-season games for our NPC lads with an internal trial game taking place at Anderson Park in Cromwell TODAY, 3.35pm. Convince the boss to let you off early and head on down to catch a glimpse of this year's talent.

Speaking of pre-season games, our Women have their first hit out this weekend also! The women are away to Lincoln University for a game of three halves match against Tasman and Southland. If you are in Canterbury area, kick off is 11.45am on Sunday!!

Representative Rugby is just around the corner and we have open training sessions coming up for any girls who would like to put their name forward for the 2025 Otago Metro or Country representative teams. Scroll down for more info.

Last Chance…2025 Season Memberships are on sale now. With 5 NPC Home games (including 2 Double Headers with Otago Spirit) get in behind Otago and secure your membership HERE

The 2025 NPC & FPC Draws are out! Scroll down to check out our Home 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 Rugby is excited for the impending start of the the inaugural Tuppy Diack Shield competition kicking of in August!

The competition will be contested by teams from Otago Metro North, Otago Metro South, Otago Country, Southland Metro and Southland Country.

The Tuppy Diack Memorial Shield not only commemorates a rugby stalwart but also fosters regional camaraderie and competition, reflecting the values Tuppy championed throughout his life.

We proudly introduce the three Otago Teams that will contest in the inaugural Tuppy Diack Shield alongside two teams from Southland.

The Southland Country v Otago Metro North game in Round One of the competition will feature as the curtain raiser for the Bunnings NPC opening round at Rugby Park, in Invercargill on Saturday 2 August. Don't miss it!

Congratulations for all players and management groups!

First Trainings:

Otago Country, Alexandra, Wednesday 23 July, 6.45pm

Otago Metro North, University Oval, Tuesday 29th July, 6.00pm

Otago Metro South, Kettle Park, Tuesday 29th July, 6.00pm

For more information please email Moxy - michael.smith@orfu.co.nz

In 2015 Otago Polytechnic, with the Otago Rugby Football Union, established the ORFU Scholarship to assist students with both sporting and academic aspirations

Two Scholarships are on offer for players wishing to study at the Otago Polytechnic in 2026. One male and one female will be chosen.

Applications for the 2026 Otago Rugby/Otago Polytechnic scholarship applications are now open!

The following conditions apply:

Two 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 2026*.
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.

APPLY HERE

* Please note...receiving a scholarship does not ensure inclusion into the Otago Women’s and Men’s Academy programmes for 2026.