While Super Rugby holds much of the public focus, many fans of ‘grassroots rugby’ will turn their attention as rugby clubs finals matches take centrestage across New Zealand. Over this weekend and next, clubs will host finals, semi finals or travel away to compete in finals matches.
The heart and soul of the game in New Zealand (NZ) Club Rugby is the place where stars of tomorrow are born. Every Super Rugby player has roots firmly planted in the club level. Many star players still show up to throw support behind these organisations–so important to the NZ rugby infrastructure. This is where the stakeholders of the game demonstrate their passion and loyalties. Beside the All Blacks, most rugby fans have a club they support.
Within New Zealand Rugby, there are 520 clubs are affiliated to the NZRU
Mid-winter is when the game reaches it’s climax. Semi final and Regional clubs finals are being played across the country. From Northland to Southland. The top of the North Island, to bottom of the South Island of our country. Fans will be gearing up to support their team over the next few weekends.
North Harbour Championship finals
For every union, they have awards and regional championships that are claimed. As an example, in North Harbour (the northern suburbs of Auckland) that union held their finals matches on the Saturday. Harbour Rugby have 12 clubs from Northcote to Mahurangi. Over a 16 round season, the culmination of which was on Saturday. It saw Takapuna face reigning champions Massey. As Clubs finals matches take centrestage across the regions, all eyes were on this encounter. Semi finals were played last week, where Takapuna claimed their place.
Great win for the Takapuna boys!! Final next week. #rugby #takapuna #sport #newzealand #northharbour @HarbourRugby pic.twitter.com/Jj84K9NH7E
— Heinrich Kalmeier (@sportspicsnz) July 16, 2016
This weekends result saw Massey defeat Takapuna 23-26 at QBE Stadium, to retain their title. One of the original formation clubs, the Harbour union was formed in 1985 as a ‘breakaway’ union from the larger Auckland body. It’s conception saw men like Buck Shelford and Ian Jones represent the northern suburbs. Both would go on to be All Blacks of note. After 30 years, Harbour Rugby is now part of the rugby landscape alongside Auckland, Counties-Manukau and Franklin District in the upper North Island.
Across the harbour bridge, the Gallaher Shield is too up for grabs. Clubs like College Rifles played Grammer TEC (main picture) in the semi final round of the competition. Grammar managed to take a win from Grammar, 19-27 and earned a place in next weeks final. That match will be played on the hallowed ground of Eden Park. The apex of local club rugby, it is only fitting that the Premier sides get to play on the main ground.
Club rugby broadcast on Sky TV
Clubs finals matches are as popular in person, as they are on television. A match like Takapuna v Massey saw at least 4000 fans on-hand to watch it. Games like this will now be telecast in NZ via Sky Television. Broadcast on free-to-air Prime and on pay-TV Rugby Channel. The matches are recorded with either a full ‘Outside Broadcast Unit’ or with a single digital camera. Match commentary can be added in post-production. Expect shows like Toyota Grassroots Rugby; which Jones commentates and hosts, to publicize these matches–some appear in primetime slots.
With clubs finals being played this weekend and next, expect many of the best regional fixtures to be featured. Recent matches of note include:
- Waikato – Breweries Shield Final: Melville 11 – Hamilton Old Boys 6
- Southland – Galbraith Shield Final: Eastern-Northern Barbarians 21 – Woodlands 15
- Otago – Metropolitan Final: Kaikorai 29 – Dunedin 22
- Tasman – Nelson Bays Final: Final: Wanderers 19 – Marist 17 | Marlborough Final: Central 36 – Waitohi 34
- Manawatu – Hankins Shield Final: Varsity 18 – Kia Toa 17
- Counties Manukau – McNamara Cup Final: Bombay 24 – Ardmore Marist 21
Social media playing it’s part today
Word of mouth used to be the way you could communicate with your rugby mates. It was at the club rooms, at a workplace or even out at a function. “Who is playing who” or “which player might be called to play for their province”. That still exists, but more and more Media, and today Social Media can support clubs. It is common for a sports club to have a presence on social media. The channel is usually through a website, Facebook. Other options include Twitter, Instagram or even YouTube. Newsletters that are printed and distributed through direct-mailing lists still exist. Today more are produced in a ‘digital newsletter’ sent to an email mailing list. Received widely, the quality is usually very high and satisfies it’s target audience.
All are effective communication channels–no need for pigeons or printing presses. The latest news can be transmitted across one or multiple channels. In the specific case of finals rugby, club team standings and upcoming matches are promoted. Recently, qualification for the Plate final was distributed through newsletters and on social media for local club Silverdale. They promoted the achievement and engaged with supporters the time and location of their Premier 2 Plate Final match. It was a tight match played on the outer-oval of QBE Stadium Saturday, and won 24-10.
Results updates/sharing sites
Results like these can be shared via social media quickly, as well as through fans word of mouth. Updates are often viewed on mobile devises, so Facebook updates are popular. Others use Twitter posts and Instagram photo’s that can show followers how successful the club has been. It can also transmit information for administration, volunteers and public notices.
Similarly, sites have appeared that are dedicated to the sport of Rugby. The national body, New Zealand Rugby has a terrific site. Others are specific to National Provincial rugby competitions–Mitre 10 Cup, Heartland Championship and Farah Palmer Cup for women. To cover the club scene, one of the best is ClubRugby.co.nz. Very well resourced by respected administrators who collect results. This site has up-to-date information, so can be used as a source of information for clubs and fans alike.
Results are shared, video footage (see below) and links to clubs websites, information on rules and sport governance.
Video footage of some scoring action in yesterday’s Jubilee Cup match between @TheOBUGoat (25) – @oriesrugby (24) https://t.co/hcIXaHsp7y
— ClubRugby (@ClubRugby) July 24, 2016
With reliable information gained directly from the teams and clubs, it has features on players and organisations. The site is self-funded, with advertising an income earner. That is similar to Clubs themselves. They have team and club sponsors, often from the community and member businesses. It really shows the local stature of the games support base. Where ‘Mum and Dad’ business can sponsor a team/advertise on the club website and achieve good marketing at a localized-level.
Grassroots Rugby: Clubs Finals Matches Take Centrestage
This weekend, many club finals were held. Trophies and shields were awarded to players in junior rugby, through to Premier grade. The pinnacle clubs calendars, volunteers ready the club rooms for functions and (many hope) celebrations. It is the peak of the season. Much the same across any competition all over the world. The club final is the ‘biggest day of the year’. And why shouldn’t it be?
It still holds a place in all fans hearts. Great memories, images like the main picture–the mateship formed between players is strong. That bond is spoken of by current players, by veterans and ‘old timers’. It is the same value within many, many sports. Comradery exists between players and supporters of the club. Friendship born here can last a lifetime. As clubs finals matches take centrestage it is when those players join-up for social events, anniversaries and functions.
Definition of Grassroots Rugby
In New Zealand, the definition of Grassroots Rugby is the local club. Where spectators crowd the sidelines, are within earshot of the action more often than not. It is where you can ‘lace up a pair of boots’ on a Saturday and be a part of a local team. Varying grades exist, so necessarily the cream can rise to the top. At club level it is where the satisfaction in personal and collective performance exists. It is all good to ‘get out with your mates’ though if your ambitions mean you wish to represent, than succeeding at Club level helps provincial and professional selectors take note.
For a Club, they always look at their local opposition to compete. They all wish to present their best team towards claiming a title or championship. Clubs finals matches take centrestage with competing clubs, like Takapuna playing Massey, or College Rifles meeting Grammar TEC. Long inter-Club histories exist–for North Harbour, over 30 years now. It builds on a historical significance and when that reaches over a century; as many Auckland sides have, that rivalry is quite fierce. The supporters know that if there is a finals match to be played, the men and women on the field need them to be there on the sidelines.
It is all smiles for the winners, consolation for the runners-up, but each year they will register at the start of the year. Players return again and again, as do supporters to share their passion. It is part of the rugby lore of New Zealand. And when semi finals and finals occur, fans come out in force. And long may it continue.
“Main photo credit”
