Pareora Rugby Football Club has a thriving JAB section, ranging from Rippa rugby to the older grades playing full field. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Rural club looking for new players
Pareora Rugby Football Club
If you have children aged from 5 to 13 years old who would like to play rugby then Pareora RFC would be pleased to welcome them for the coming season.
While the club no longer has a senior side, its junior ranks are flourishing, with five or more teams set to turn out every Saturday morning during the season, with practices on Wednesday afternoons, 4pm to 5pm.
Most players come from Beaconsfield and St Andrew’s schools, but several come from further afield. Anyone from the Timaru area who would like a change of scenery this season would be more than welcome.
Coaches and managers of the teams work hard to upskill and ensure every player gets plenty of game time. The club provides players with their strip. Parents and caregivers only need to arrange a pair of boots and a mouthguard.
The club also has a good supply of second-hand boots available, so we can help with any prospective Richie Mo'ungas, Ardie Saveas or Will Jordans.
Parents are encouraged to get involved with the running of teams and the club — everyone is made to feel welcome in our close-knit, rural rugby community.
There are a few fixtures held during the season, most notably the McCarthy Cup which is contested when our top grade plays Celtic. It’s great to see the players lift their game for the historic trophies.
Every week at every grade a player of the day is awarded to a deserving team member.
The grounds, at the end of The Avenue in the township just 13km south of Timaru, are free-draining and sheltered. Thanks to senior rugby very rarely being played there these days, they are nearly always mud-free and in great condition.
We look forward to welcoming you to Pareora for 2024.
For more information please contact club president Hayden Porter on 027549-1370 or club secretary Abby Rawcliffe on 021025-03206.
Seniors warming up for 2024 season
Temuka Rugby Football Club
Welcoming back the rugby season started for Temuka in December 2023. The past couple of years the seniors have always had one good preseason blast before we all break for the festival season.
The week before Christmas we got together and went for a well-deserved run, knowing what we will be doing to our bodies over the break (food and beverages).
While most were still on holiday, the community came through with a lot of young talent showing up and ready to get their season started.
As in most years, our seniors will eventually turn up and do the hard work. It is really awesome to see so many youth coming through our club. We have awesome people in and around the club that really put some effort into our youth. Local gyms and boot camp classes do have a big influence as they prepare our boys for the season too.
The 2024 season looks to be on track, with a few of our senior boys either retiring or taking a breather this year, making room for younger players to come through.
It’s good to see the likes of Finlay Joyce and co-captain Rick Neame hitting the training early, alongside Faalele Iosua and co-captain Etienne Van Zyl to name a few. It really shows what this season means to the team.
On the coaching front, Luke Reihana returns to the management team, which will add a lot of flair to the game. Nathan Robinson is taking some time away to spend time with his children as they succeed in their sporting activities.
Managers Shane Wolczuk and Christina Ikiua look to take on the job with a full year under their belt. Adam Burgess joins the ranks as the hydration specialist. Experienced and exciting times ahead.
A few new faces are joining the seniors this season, as we farewell a few legends of the club. We thank you for the hard work you have put into the jersey and the club. You have done us coaches, players, club and mainly your families proud. Good luck for the future and we are always in your corner.
As we build into our 2024 season we are also prepping for our 150th jubilee next year.
Temuka is one of the oldest clubs in New Zealand and we thank the people that have laid the foundation for us to thrive today.
If you are looking for a club to join, Temuka Rugby has started trainings Tuesdays and Thursdays.
See you all at our first game of the season against Geraldine.
Kicking off, room for more
Mackenzie Rugby Football Club
With a new season on the horizon, players, coaches and volunteers alike are gearing up for what promises to be an awesome rugby season ahead for the Mackenzie Rugby Football Club.
Our club is a true heartland club with a long and proud history.
Our club is in good heart, fielding six JAB teams in 2023 which involved around 75 players, having a good number of teenage players being involved, along with our Senior A and Senior B teams, and not forgetting our very entertaining Golden Oldies team.
Preseason training has officially kicked off for our senior players on Tuesdays and Thursdays at our grounds in Strathconan Park, Fairlie.
We have three preseason games lined up with the first two games being away games on March 9 and 16, and the final preseason game being against Methven at home on Saturday, March 23 at home.
This season holds particular significance as we welcome new coaches for both senior teams, injecting fresh perspectives and enthusiasm into our ranks.
Johnny Andrews and Alphy Trevathan will coach our senior team, with Kevin Payne and Mark Davis taking the reins of our Senior B team.
Assisting the coaches we have Hamish Johnson in his role as coach and player developer.
The commitment of our players is shown strongly with the many miles they are prepared to travel to be part of this team, which our club is truly grateful for.
We have players coming from Twizel and other areas of the Mackenzie Country— but we are still on the lookout for more players to join our club.
If there are players wanting to know more, they can contact our club president Hayden Dwyer on 027424-4493.
The club is backed by a strong committee, loyal supporters and great sponsors, with our major sponsors being: Barwoods, Mackenzie Supply Services, and SOL Screening and Crushing. Woodleys does an awesome job of sponsoring our JAB teams and we are very thankful for all of our sponsors’ support.
As the countdown to the season opener draws nearer, there’s a sense of eager anticipation building within the club and we look forward to seeing all returning players and supporters.
We encourage new players to join our true heartland country club.
Players training hard with eyes on prize
Harlequins Sports Club
The Harlequins Sports Club is well under way and looking forward to a successful and competitive 2024 club season.
Preseason training has just begun with good attendance, running on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm at Ashbury Park.
This form culminated in both teams securing a place in the top four of their grade. We are pleased to hear that the bulk of last season’s players are back to improve on their efforts, and are now putting in the hard yards to achieve the ultimate goal of any sporting code.
Last year’s highlights for the seniors included selection of Paula Fifita, Taufa Hala’ufia, Siu Kakala, Kawa Buliruarua, Lisiate Folau, Malakai Uasi and Apitoni Toai into the Champion 2023 Meads Cup SC Squad, with special mention to Paula Fifita who for the third year running was again named in the NZ Heartland squad and Lisiate Folau named on the Tonga 7s Team that played in Auckland.
Colin Cameron and Teki Veikune return as senior coaches. Their roles have reversed with Colin taking over as head coach with assistance from Teki.
Brett Jenkins will once again take on the management role.
The club’s Senior B team were coming off another great season only to go down in the semifinal to a good Celtic team.
They are an integral part of our club’s planning — their progression lays the platform for the future.
They will be supported by a new coaching team led by Kevin Kemp and assisted by Star Tuliakiono.With most — if not all — of the 2023 team returning, this puts them in a great position to maintain that momentum.
We are now in the stages of putting together a women’s team to compete in a local competition with Pleasant Point and Geraldine, combined with three teams from Mid Canterbury.
So, if you want a new challenge, join us on Mondays and Wednesdays 6pm, Ashbury Park, or contact Erica Peeti on 0210258-2523.
The Harlequins junior rugby section is again ready to build on the incredible development of all kids across the grades from age 4 through to U13, while maintaining the enjoyment factor of the game we all love.
This success has been achieved through the many parent helpers and guidance of a strong JAB committee.
Registration days will be set after the JAB annual meeting, to be held on February 14, so if you want to be involved with the Harlequins JAB Rugby club, get on down to the meeting at the Harlequins Sports Club, 34 Church St, starting at 7.30pm. If you want to register your child’s interest in playing JAB this year, contact Juliette Stevenson on 027688-8114.
We would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors — platinum sponsors Trust Aoraki, XCM Sport, Speight’s and Grant Jenkins Contracting; and gold sponsors JMAC Joinery, DW New Zealand Ltd, Liquorland Dee St and South Canterbury Roofing.
Thanks too to our 500 Club Sponsors — your support is very much appreciated and helps drive the club forward immensely.
— Howard Peeti, Harlequins Sports Club President 2024.
Side seeking redemption
Waimate Rugby Club
In Waimate we await the start of the 2024 season with anticipation and look forward to the prospect of redemption for our senior side after once again coming so close to winning our first championship since 1995.
We are excited to welcome new players and returning players alike. Our Senior B side will be looking to climb the table after a couple of rebuilding seasons.
Returning coach Hamish MacDonald will be joined by Sam Devlin, who has returned from Australia after more than a decade living away from the town.
We look forward to seeing what they can do.
Carl Jensen has stepped into the senior side’s head coach role, with Miles Medlicott stepping into an assistant coaching role while still pulling on the boots.
The addition of Kurt Rooney as a technical adviser and Robbie Hill as manager bolsters a strong management crew along with the returning Kima Sampson.
Some exciting young players promise to compete for spots through the season as we look to the future, and while we see the sad departure of some (more experienced) players and long-serving manager Allister Murdoch we also welcome some exciting new players.
The Waimate Rugby Club will be celebrating the completion of its refurbished historical museum at the club.
We are grateful for the support of the Mid and South Canterbury Trust assisting us with this cost. We look forward to displaying this history to future club members for a long time yet.
We also look forward to the completion of Fraser Park.
This space is such an exciting addition to the South Canterbury Rugby community, and we look forward to using its facilities.
All the best for the upcoming season.
— Matt Hayman, Club president
Preseason training well under way
Celtic Rugby Football Club
The Celtic Rugby Football Club is gearing up for another exciting season ahead.
With the clubrooms being located in central Timaru, they have a warm and welcoming atmosphere and are the social hub of our club. But they are not exclusively used for rugby — we also have a strong Celtic cricket and pool club as well as netball through the St Pats club.
For our senior and senior B sides, preseason training is well under way and will continue Monday and Wednesday nights down at our Rockdale Rd grounds, starting at 6.30pm.
Any new or returning players are encouraged to attend.
Preseason games have been booked in against Ohoka in Timaru on March 9, the South Island Marist tournament in Ashburton on March 16, and against Ashburton Celtic on March 23.
Our senior side will be looking to improve on their semifinal finish from last year, with a large majority of the side returning for another season.
This side will again be coached by the experienced Scott Barnes and Craig Cahill. In the playing group they have a good mix of youth and experience as well as a strong contingent of players from the very successful South Canterbury Heartland side.
Our senior B side will be aiming to complete a hat-trick of championships this season after winning the competition in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The side will be coached this year by the new combination of Graham Boulton and Azza Painter and they have a reliable core group of players returning. But they are always on the hunt for new players.
We will also be again entering our under 85kg Fighting Leprechauns side in the national knockout competition. This team will again be led by the wily veteran Rogan O’Driscoll, with the first round normally getting under way in June.
With the opportunity to play other sides from around the country, it is also a great way for players to get a taste of weight-restricted rugby.
We look forward to seeing all our teams out there competing this winter.
New competition brings excitement to season
Women’s rugby
Women’s rugby is growing fast in our region with an exciting new competition starting, in combination with Mid Canterbury.
It begins on May 17, and games will be largely played on Friday nights, while supporting club days will be on Saturday.
Pleasant Point and Harlequins have also reached out to their communities and now have training up and running. This is an exciting opportunity for our local wahine.
We have developed a pathway with our neighbouring Heartland unions, North Otago, Mid Canterbury, Buller and West Coast, to select a Heartland XV, who will go on and play Southland and Otago Development in July and early August.
Secondary school girl’s rugby will begin on May 15 with a gala night.
This competition has consolidated over the years.
Last season the skill base grew and we included contested scrums in our under-18 grade.
The girls enjoyed the new challenge and we saw some strong talent coming through.
Primary girls’ rugby will be offering U11 and U13 grades again this season.
The competition starts on May 6 and runs the duration of term 2.
Games are on Monday nights from 4pm.
South Canterbury Rugby is excited about this season. Monday, Wednesday and Friday girls’/women’s rugby nights are beginning in May.
If you are interested in getting involved as a player, coach, referee, parent or caregiver, contact your school, local club or myself for more information at caro@scrfu.co.nz.
— Caro Rhodes, South Canterbury Rugby game development manager
Team getting in shape to take on new season
Pleasant Point Rugby Club
The offseason is ending in Pleasant Point.
All senior players have been heralded to attend preseason training and attempt to get themselves fighting fit for the upcoming season.
The team are now in the expert hands of Lucas McRae who has put together some well thought-out programmes.
At present training is on Monday and Wednesday nights (soon to be Tuesday/Thursday) at the Pleasant Point Domain at 6.30pm. All shapes, sizes and skill sets welcome.
JAB rugby is looking to build to another successful year, and will look to warm up and start rugby in March.
Keep an eye on our club or JAB Facebook pages for updates on registrations and grading days.
This year Pleasant Point is excited to have women and young players joining us with the start of our senior women’s team and an under-18 men’s side. The senior women’s side will play in a Mid Canterbury combined competition while the U18 men’s will battle it out in the Ellesmere competition.
For our senior sides the coaching fraternity stays mainly unchanged with Dean Cox and Steve Casey holding the As spot accompanied by Ben Hewitson and Cam Bain who will guide the Senior Bs. Dean and his team look forward to improving the current senior results and building on the already formidable culture.
Preseason games this year will be key — three to four games are still being finalised because of complications with other unions’ start dates. These fixtures will include games for senior A and B, senior women’s and U18.
A full schedule will be available on the Pleasant Point Facebook page in the coming weeks.
We will be doing our annual pea straw fundraiser again over the next couple of months which is an important part of the club’s finances.
We are eager to take a bite of the 2024 season across all grades. We would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters for getting alongside all the teams and look forward to seeing you again this year for a successful season.
As always, we are wanting to invite players, volunteers, supporters and families into our great club.
— Ben Hewitson, Pleasant Point Rugby Club
Preseason action heats up
Old Boys Rugby and Sports Club
Old Boys Rugby and Sports Club has made a promising start for 2024 with our senior rugby programme.
Preseason training has begun, with numbers strong and key positions filled in the offseason. Our capable and experienced coaching staff of Hami Goldsmith and Joe Kotobalavu have been putting the players through their paces, with fitness levels improving.
Outside of rugby, our senior players recently gave their time for a day to work on the new changing facilities.
The new facilities mean Timaru Girls’ High School rugby can begin holding their weekday matches at the club in 2024.
Many senior rugby and netball players are also involved in our summer touch rugby module, which has been fully subscribed this year and remains a great way to keep fit, socialise and play competitive sport. Our finals are coming up in March, with national representatives on display.
Our senior netball sides began their preseason training in January with the piazza steps challenge, and everyone is looking forward to trials in late February. Our junior netball section will begin after Easter and is arranged through the Timaru schools; please inquire.
Let’s not forget our well-organised junior rugby section. We have teams in all grades and often receive feedback from parents about the fun experiences their children have with their friends as part of our junior club. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for the confirmed registration day.
Our senior rugby side’s first preseason game is Saturday, March 16 against North Otago country team Maheno, in our traditional preseason fixture. This will be followed by Rolleston the next week and the main competition beginning immediately after Easter. We welcome all supporters, sponsors and newcomers to our games this season.
Old Boys pride ourselves in the welcome we give new members. If you are thinking of getting back into rugby, one of our other sports, or volunteering this year, please come and meet us at preseason rugby training. It is on Monday and Wednesday nights, 6.30pm, at School Park.
Reflecting on last season’s highs, lows
Geraldine Rugby Club
Geraldine Rugby Football Club begins the season with a fresh and positive view.
Last year came with both highs and lows for our club.
At this time our priority has been to ensure everyone is getting motivated and fizzed for the season to come.
Preseason training has started for both senior men and women.
We invite anyone keen to get involved with our club and teams to grab their boots and pop on down to the Raukapuka Reserve on George St.
Men are training Tuesdays and Thursdays for Senior A and B players starting at 6.30pm.
Gidz Snow (027606-5127) resumes as Senior A coach while Jamie Reith (021975-745) takes charge of Senior B.
For more information regarding men’s rugby in Geraldine, these two are your go-to.
Our women’s side enter their third club season with excitement for a competition a little closer to home this season, jumping in with Mid Canterbury.
Women’s training is on Monday and Wednesday from 6.30pm. Jase Hurley (022012-8220) can be contacted for more information.
Junior rugby registrations open March 1. The proposed muster date is March 22.
We welcome all younglings, families and supporters to come along.
To stay in the loop or get more information join @GeraldineJABrugby on Facebook.
The JAB season starts May 4 and we are positive that numbers will only grow again this season.
Teenage rugby registrations are now open and preseason fitness started yesterday from 5.30pm at the club grounds.
All teenagers are welcome to join in. For more information regarding teenage rugby contact Stu Wilcox at geraldineteenagerugby@gmail.com.
Geraldine RFC takes huge pride in being a small club with a big heart.
We welcome all our Geraldine community to be a part of our club whether that be on or off the field as players, supporters, administration, sponsors or volunteers or those just wanting to help in some way.
Please contact Courtney Bates (027603-5200) or message us on our Facebook page @GeraldineRugby if you want to get involved.
Get back on field
South Canterbury Rugby Referees
The South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association is a small group that has been running for more than 100 years, providing referees for South Canterbury rugby for under-13 grades up to Senior A.
There are plenty of opportunities that come with refereeing, including being involved in the South Island U16 and U19 representative tournaments, South Island representative schoolgirls’ tournament, Heartland Rugby, Farah Palmer Cup, Men’s NPC, Super Rugby or even international rugby if you have the talent and commitment.
He has been an assistant referee for Super Rugby and has refereed in the Farah Palmer Cup and Men’s NPC as well as the Heartland Lochore Cup final last year.
We are always on the lookout for anyone who may be interested in becoming a referee or any past referees who would like to become a referee coach.
It is a great way to give back to rugby if you have been a player, manager or coach who can no longer play but still want to be involved. It’s really the best seat in the house.
For new referees we offer support from senior referees as well as allocating a referee coach.
The referee coach is there for support on game day, providing advice and guidance.
We also supply gear for you to get out on the field.
To become a referee, you do not have to be available every week or attend all meetings.
We have many referees that just get involved when able.
Our weekly preseason fitness training will start about February 26.
We will be having our first weekly general meeting on Wednesday, March 27, at 7pm at the Celtic Club Rooms.
Our general meetings involve going through a new law each week, discussing any new things that may have come up in your game, asking questions, or the odd social function.
It is also a great chance to get to know other referees and be a part of the team.
If you’re interested in becoming a referee, please contact the South Canterbury Rugby Union office on (03)688-8653 and they will put you in contact with someone from the association.
