Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

Welcome back to rugby news! This week we see the Central and Southern Premier men's teams kick off their season their first round. All games across the province will be played tomorrow night to accommodate for Easter Weekend. You can check out the full draw by clicking HERE, be sure to get out there and show your support!

Round two of the Metro comp see's four of our teams playing tomorrow night at Forsyth Barr Stadium. With free entry and free parking you'd be mad to not start your weekend off with some footy under the roof, full details below.

Congratulations to our girls Maia Joseph and Abigail Paton who have both been selected to play in the Pacific Four Series, Maia with the Black Ferns and Abigail with USA Rugby. Best of luck ladies, so proud of you both!!!

And a massive congratulations to ORFU Academy lads, Ethan Webber, Henry Stuart and Alex Arnold for their selection into the NZ Under 20 Team. Awesome mahi lads!

Volunteer of the Month is back, and this month we got some epic nominations!!! We love recognising the incredible people that keep our game running, so scroll down to learn more about this months nominees then jump on our Otago Community Rugby Facebook page to cast your vote.

These school holidays, Otago Community Rugby is running its first ever Holiday Skills Programme . This one-day session is for kids who want to learn new skills, have fun, and build confidence or just sharpen to up before the season starts. If you have a kid you think would be keen, check out the full details below!

The 2026 NPC Draw is out now! Scroll down to check out our Home Games, or check out the full Draws here… FULL NPC DRAW

Otago NPC Season Memberships for 2026 are on sale now. CLICK HERE to secure your membership today!

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

Central Otago Rugby is set to celebrate a significant milestone in 2026, as the iconic White Horse Cup reaches 100 years of competition between the region’s clubs.

First contested in 1926, the White Horse Cup is believed to be the second-oldest interclub rugby trophy in New Zealand. For a century, it has stood as a powerful symbol of the rivalries, pride and traditions that define country rugby across Central Otago.

To mark the centenary, a special Super Round of rugby will be held in Queenstown on 11 April 2026, with all Central Otago Premier club matches taking place at the Queenstown Events Centre.

Hosting the round in one central location will provide a unique opportunity for players, supporters, and past club members from across the region to come together and celebrate the legacy of the White Horse Cup.

The Super Round fixtures include:

12:00pm: Wakatipu v Arrowtown – Battle of the Basin
12:45pm: Cromwell v Matakanui Combined
1:30pm: Alexandra v Invitational XV
2:45pm: Upper Clutha v Maniototo – White Horse Cup Challenge Match

The highlight of the day will be the White Horse Cup Challenge Match, with Upper Clutha defending the trophy against Maniototo in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter between two proud Central Otago clubs.

Following the on-field action, celebrations will continue with the “Aftermatch of the Century” — a special centenary event bringing together past and present players, volunteers and supporters to share stories and honour the communities that have supported the competition for generations.

The centenary celebrations are proudly supported by Forsyth Barr, who have come on board as the Legacy Sponsor, helping to ensure this milestone is celebrated while also contributing to the future of rugby in the region.

As part of the centenary, the White Horse Cup Charitable Trust has also been established. Funds raised will support future initiatives aimed at strengthening community rugby in Central Otago, with the Trust working alongside clubs and stakeholders to identify opportunities across the region.

Otago Country Rugby is proud to announce Rhythm & Alps as the new competition sponsor of the Central Otago Senior Men’s Competition, with one of the region’s most iconic events now getting firmly behind grassroots rugby.

Best known as one of New Zealand’s leading summer festivals, Rhythm & Alps brings its energy and community focus to a competition that sits at the heart of Central Otago rugby.

Mike Driscoll, Otago Country Rugby, says the partnership is a strong endorsement of community rugby.
“This is a fantastic result for our competition. Having Rhythm & Alps on board provides real momentum and is a clear show of support for our clubs, players, and communities.”

Alex Turnbull, Founder and Director of Rhythm & Alps, says the alignment with rugby was a natural fit.
“We’re all about bringing people together and creating unforgettable experiences, and that’s exactly what community rugby does across Central Otago. We’re proud to be supporting a competition that means so much to the region.”

The partnership reinforces the strength of grassroots rugby in Central Otago and sets the platform for an exciting 2026 season.

Voting is NOW OPEN for our first Volunteers of 2026
CLICK HERE to vote.

Voting closes Wednesday 8 April, 5PM

Take a moment to read more about this month’s outstanding nominees then go to the Otago Community Rugby Facebook page to cast your vote.

Andrew “Clarkey” Clarkson
Clarkey has been a valued member of ORRA since 2015, first picking up the whistle while at King’s High School. Since then, he has become a highly dedicated referee, officiating right across the grades and regularly backing up with double fixtures on Saturdays! More recently, Clarkey has taken on an important role through Replacement, controlling Division 1 fixtures and continuing to contribute at a high level. Off the field, his impact has been just as significant. With a background in IT, he has developed a brand-new ORRA website from scratch, as well as creating an innovative Referee Coach review app – a first of its kind in refereeing circles.
This tool has provided a much-needed resource for referees across the province, particularly where referee coach numbers are limited, and has created a platform for self-reflection and development. Dedicated, skilled and forward-thinking volunteers like Clarkey are rare, and his contribution is an enormous asset to our game and our people.

Hamish “Suddsy” Sutherland
Hamish, better known as Suddsy, is the kind of person every team needs. An all-round good bugger, he’s always willing to lend a hand and make sure everything is sorted both on and off the field.
Recently stepping into the role of backs coach, Suddsy has taken on the challenge with enthusiasm and commitment, doing an outstanding job in supporting players and helping the team grow.

Tracey Reid
Tracey is the person every parent feels reassured seeing on the sideline. A trained senior nurse, she brings a high level of care, professionalism and calm. She is always the first to attend to anyone who goes down – regardless of whether they’re a player, opposition, or even a spectator.
Her passion for rugby, youth sport, participation and player welfare shines through in everything she does. Beyond her medical support, Tracey is also a fantastic team manager who plays a crucial role in keeping things running smoothly. Simply put, she is phenomenal in what she gives.

Mikaela Dawson
Mikaela’s contribution to her team goes far beyond the typical expectations of a volunteer. Week after week, she gives her time, energy and heart to ensure everything runs seamlessly, often working tirelessly behind the scenes without seeking any recognition.
Her passion for rugby is evident in every aspect of her role – from coordinating logistics and communicating with players and coaches, to supporting the team on match days and keeping spirits high during challenging moments. She understands that a successful team is built not only on performance, but on strong organisation, encouragement and a sense of community – all of which she helps foster.
What truly sets Mikaela apart is the genuine care she shows for every player. She celebrates their successes, supports them through setbacks and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and included. She doesn’t volunteer for praise – she does it for the love of the game and the people in it, making her incredibly deserving of this recognition.

All nominees will also be considered for the Otago Rugby Volunteer of the Year: Ray Byrne Memorial Cup, with the winner going on to be nominated for NZ Rugby Volunteer of the Year.

Kids keen to give rugby a go?

Rippa Grade (Y1 and Y2) – FREE 9:00am – 10:30am

Tackle Grade (Y3 - Y8) – $30 10:30am – 3:00pm

Locations & Dates:

• Central Otago – Frankton Event Centre (10 April)

• Balclutha – Clutha Rugby Club (15 April)

• Dunedin – Zingari-Richmond Rugby Club (17 April)

Bring your lunch, drink bottle, and plenty of energy! Spaces are limited, so make sure you register early using the QR code on the poster or via this link https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/497782

Wanting to be involved in rugby with the perks of flexibility? Have you considered refereeing? If you’re keen to give back to your community, sign up now to our women & girls Introduction to Refereeing course!

No experience necessary, we can offer childcare, and there’ll be kai available!

Our Women’s Premier bye round players are highly encouraged to attend to get them ticked off and ready to referee when it’s their turn to do so!

Follow this link to sign up! - https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/introduction-to-refereeing

Are you at High school and love rugby? How does 10 Level 3 NCEA credits sound?

The, “You make the call” Rugby Referee course for students allows you to do just that!

After the classroom section of the course you’ll have the foundational skills to go out and referee three games of rugby to bank some valuable NCEA credits for yourself.

Whether you're a current player or just love rugby without the physical element, we've got you covered with the tools and support you need in this course.

This year we are rolling out three locations for our classroom component:

Wakatipu High, Queenstown – Friday 10th April
South Otago High, Balclutha – Wednesday 15th April
Otago Rugby Union offices, Dunedin – Thursday 16th April

Complete the expression of interest form in the link below to get started!

2026 "You make the Call" School student Referee course - Expression of interest Form – Fill out form

After an unforgettable 2025 season, one thing was clear, Otago fans know how to show up!

The energy in the stands was undeniable, and your support made a real impact. Now it’s time to lock in your place for the 2026 Otago NPC season.

A season membership gives you more than just entry to the game — it secures your spot at every home match and every big moment across the season, including complimentary entry to our two preseason fixtures!

And this year, you’ll also have the option to purchase an exclusive members only jersey when you sign up. The perfect way to show your colours all season long! (Limited time, Jersey Option ends 17 April, 2026)

There are options for young and old, starting from just $32.50. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it again in 2026.

Secure your membership today and we will see you there!

https://www.orfu.co.nz/high-performance/tickets-memberships