Editorial

Both our NPC and FPC teams head to Tasman this weekend for another exciting Double Header. Check out team our full lists below and best of luck to all our players.

Calling all former Spirit Players, Coaches & Team Management… 2025 marks 25 years of the Otago Spirit. We want to celebrate this milestone with as many of you as possible. Today is the last day for registrations so make sure to clear your calendars and come celebrate with us. Full details below.

Another week and more rep rugby's coming your way! Tuppy Diack action sees the 2 Metro sides go up against each other as well as Otago Country hosting Southland Country in Balclutha.

The Spirit Development meet Canterbury Waitaha Māori in Timaru for another battle.

In age grades, the 19s get into tournament action with the first match against Southland.

In the U18 competition, Metro U18 travels to North Otago, Metro U17 is taking the trip to Southland out at Oreti Park, while Country U18 are set to host Southland Country U18 in Balclutha.

All the best to everyone involved!!! See fixture details below.

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!

Bower on Otago bench after release from ABs

Otago Head Coach Mark Brown has named his side to play against Tasman in the fifth round of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC this Saturday 30th August, 7:10pm, at Trafalgar Park. The Otago Spirit are also travelling to Nelson and will play prior at 4.35pm.

George Bower strengthens the Otago squad this week,as he returns after being released back to the Bunnings NPC, joining several other All Blacks who have re-entered provincial rugby ranks this week.

Sam Gilbert leads the team as Captain, with support from Christian Lio- Willie in the Vice Captain role. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

2025 MANAGEMENT STAFF:

Head Coach:Mark Brown

Assistant Coaches:Ryan Bambry, Will Henry, Lee Allan, Mitch Scott

S & C Coach: Ben Shepard Physio: Alex Gough Manager: Simon Wallace

Assistant Manager:Grant Pellowe

Doctor: Andrew Haren

Performance Nutritionist: Georgia Mitchell Personal Development Manager: Amanda Slade Performance Analyst: Spencer Byers

Otago Spirit Head Coach Matt Direen has named his side to play against Tasman in the fourth round of the Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings this Saturday 30 August, 4.35pm at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Greer Muir will lead the team as Captain with Tegan Hollows in the Vice Captain role.

2025 MANAGEMENT STAFF:

Head Coach: Matt Direen

Assistant Coaches: Ryan Griffith, Marty Hurring, Hayden Finch

S & C Coach: Pete Fleming

Physio: Mikayla Rosieur

Manager: Cathy Charles

Assistant Manager Aria Monaghan

Analyst: Bella Rewiri-Wharerau

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER - CLOSES TODAY!!! (FRIDAY 29 AUGUST)

This year marks 25 years since the Spirit name was first worn with pride, and we would love for you to join us in celebrating this milestone.

Calling all former Spirit Players, Coaches and Managers, etc! We want to celebrate you!

Friday 5 September

Connection evening with Otago Rugby

Saturday 6 September

We celebrate the Spirit, cheering them on at their Bunnings FPC game at Tahuna Park and then come together for an after match dinner!

(Further Details on the Registration Form)

Reconnect with teammates and celebrate the legacy you helped build by registering your interest below!

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/363260

New Zealanders to have more ways to watch rugby than ever before

New five-year agreement with Sky for 2026-30 as broadcast partner for all of rugby in New Zealand, including All Blacks, Black Ferns and Super Rugby.
Exciting new international calendar for the All Blacks and Black Ferns over the five-year period, including new tours and competitions.
TVNZ becomes NZR’s free-to-air provincial rugby partner, with 93 matches set to be broadcast.
Domestic broadcast revenues will support forecast record commercial, broadcast and matchday revenue in 2026.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed a new broadcast agreement with Sky as the broadcast partner for all of rugby in New Zealand for the 2026-2030 period.

NZR Chair David Kirk said: “We’re delighted to confirm this new agreement with our long-term partner Sky, which will see Sky remain the home of rugby in New Zealand. The next five years are exciting for fans, with the best domestic competitions in the world and an amazing international calendar for our All Blacks and Black Ferns, including a men’s and historic first women’s British & Irish Lions tour”.

TVNZ will become NZR’s free-to-air provincial rugby partner, which includes all Bunnings Warehouse NPC matches and select Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse and Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship games.

“We are pleased to partner with TVNZ to provide expanded free-to-air coverage of provincial rugby. New Zealanders will have more ways to watch rugby than ever before over the next five years."

Kirk said NZR was focused on improving access to rugby for fans through this broadcast agreement and NZR’s wider content strategy, supported by exciting domestic and cross-border competitions and a block-buster international calendar.

The agreement with TVNZ will see 93 provincial matches available free-to-view on TVNZ+, with three games a week in appointment viewing slots on TVNZ 1. These matches will also be shown co-exclusively live on Sky.

“We see this as a win-win-win outcome – a secure revenue stream to support NZR in investing in rugby; Sky remaining our partner and the home of rugby; and a win for our fans as they will have more options and channels for viewing rugby.”

Set against a backdrop of change and turbulence in domestic and international broadcasting and media landscapes, Kirk said there was much to be positive about in terms of the financial outcome, the expansion of rugby coverage and fan access.

As the free-to-air provincial rugby partner for NZR, TVNZ will broadcast the following:

A total of 93 provincial rugby matches.
77x Bunnings Warehouse NPC games (70 regular season & 7 finals)
12x Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse regular season and semi-finals games (2 per week as double headers with NPC)
2x FPC Finals matches
2x Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship Finals

All 93 provincial rugby matches will be shown co-exclusively live on Sky.

For further information head to https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/latest-news

Monday night this week marked the half way point of the Girls ONLY tackle clinics in Queenstown. Another stunning evening for the girls to keep growing their skills and knowledge as they transition from non contact to contact rugby!

Thanks to Emma from @coachingsolutionsqueenstown and the young Wahinē from the Wakatipu Girls First XV Rugby team for helping pass on your expertise to the younger generation #spiritrunsdeep

If you (any year 3-8 girls) missed the session Monday, will be back at the Events Centre next Monday (1st September) from 4pm - see you there.

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.