RLN Scott Electrical Finals Live on TV

It has been a busy couple of months for Rugby League in Schools. Benson Selwyn, Development Officer (Mid-Far North) has implemented the Leadership through League programme in Kaitaia College, Te Rangianiwaniwa and Abundant Life.  This culminated in the Kaitaia College classes running with a festival in 7 schools, with 11 teams at Kaitaia College in Term 1.  Benson has recently started at Okaihau College where the students will coach at Okaihau and Ohaeawai Primary Schools.

Meanwhile, down South, Joe Rau implemented Leadership Through League at Ruawai College and Alex Smits worked with Dargaville High School. The final result saw two festivals in Dargaville, one run by Ruawai College and the other with Dargaville High School. In total, 10 schools and 15 teams attended the two festivals.

In Term 2 in the Whangarei region, Aaron Thomas has been facilitating the program at Tikipunga High School, the students have grown and made some real achievements both academically and socially within their community. They have worked with Tikipunga, Whau Valley and Otangarei Primary School and coached over 250 students from these participating primary schools.

The comments from the local school leaders has been great. To the extent that they have been asked to return and try their hand at facilitating further events.

If you would like more information on the Leadership Through League programme for your school or the upcoming festivals for the rest of the year, please email Aaron Thomas – aaron@nzrl.co.nz or mobile 0211 291 254.

Congratulations to the following schools for qualifying in the Northland Champions Schools Tournament:

Dargaville Festival Year 7 -8: Dargaville Intermediate and Te Koopuru
Dargaville Festival Year 4-6: Maungatoroto, Dargaville Primary, Selwyn Park
Kaitaia Festival Year 4 – 6: Abundant Life, Kaitaia Primary
Kaitai Festival Year 7 – 8: Pompallier, Abundant Life
Whangarei Festival Year 4-6: Kamo Primary, Totara Grove
Whangarei Festival Year 7 -8: Huanui, Whangarei Int School 1

Terms 2 had Rugby League Northland hosting the annual WPSSA Year 7-8 Winter sports tournament, in which Aaron Thomas and his Leadership Through League students from Tikipunga High School facilitated the 9s League component throughout the day. Again the players all gave it their best and played hard but fair. The parental support was excellent and it was a great viewing spectacle. Huanui were the eventual winners defeating last year’s champions WIS 1 who also made the plate final against Kamo Intermediate beating them in a closely fought battle.

The Year 7-8 festival was followed a week later, by the  WPSSA Year 4-6 Winter sports tournament.  Again run by Aaron Thomas and his Leadership Through League students from Tikipunga High School.  This festival was a real success with a huge crowd attending the final between Kamo Primary and Totara Grove. Kamo made some really strong breaks and were stronger out wide. Totara grove made some solid tackles but lost in the end 2 tries to 1. In the novice division we saw Otaika defeat Hikurangi in which was an enthralling game.

Overall the festivals have received a lot of praise and positive feedback around the school and sporting communities. We have seen over 31 teams participate in these events, which utilised our Secondary School students running the events, music, signage and prize-givings. We have also received positive feedback for our field based campaigns around side-line behaviour and healthy lifestyles. We create a real entertainment package which sets us apart from other codes.

NZRL is seeking applications for board directors on behalf of an independent appointments panel that manages the recruitment process across the country’s seven administrative zones.

All board positions are for a term of three years.

Rugby league is a sport for all New Zealanders, played at the grassroots and on the international stage.

The sport is “more than just a game” – it is part of the social fabric of our country, and has a critical role in developing young men and women in some of our most “at risk” communities.

The game’s domestic governance model is based on seven geographic zones:

• Northland
• Akarana (comprising North Harbour, Waitakere & Auckland Central)
• Counties-Manukau
• Upper Central (comprising Bay of Plenty, Gisborne & Waikato)
• Mid Central (comprising Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Taranaki & Wanganui)
• Wellington
• Southern (entire South Island)

The independent appointments panel is charged with ensuring the zone boards have collective skills and experience in commerce, finance and marketing. Board members will also need to have effective decision-making skills, well-developed relationship-management skills and sound judgement.

The boards are responsible for ensuring sound governance practices and processes, and setting clear goals and measurable targets within the sport of rugby league in New Zealand.

Applications forms can be downloaded here.

All applications will be treated in strict confidence and must include a CV, covering letter and a completed application form.

Applications close 5pm, Monday, March 9.

The age old question of who win in the jungle between a Panther and Tiger was decided on Saturday at Portland Recreation ground in the RLN Scott Electrical Premiership, Round 5 game, with the Portland Panthers hosting the Moerewa Tigers. The Tigers went in favourites, undefeated with a gigantic 156+ point differential, the Panthers had come off a nail biting loss.

Within 15 minutes it looked as if the Tigers were the ones who going to roar the loudest with three quick tries. Dave Bristow’s Tigers looked like a slick jungle predator, as all three tries were scored through well worked back line play, that had more decoys than a Maemae during duck hunting season, as the Tigers went out to a 14 – 6 lead. However, the Panthers showed a lot of resilience and tenacity as they fought their way back into the game to go into half time evens at 14 all.

The second half was all the Panthers as their forward pack steam-rolled the Tigers. The Panthers put on a scintillating display of team work as their pack ate up yard after yard allowing their backs room to move to come away winners 30 – 18.

In another top of the table clash, the Hikurangi Stags suffered their first defeat at the hands of the Hokianga Pioneers 40 – 32. The Pioneers who had only one victory to their name before the weekend showed a disciplined display of power to overcome the Stags.

In another shock to the table, the Horahora Broncos had their first win over the Otangarei Knights 18 – 14 in a physical arm-wrestle. The win showing the Broncos faithful, that hard work will pay dividends in the end. The Broncos have worked hard in the off season to develop strength in numbers as they also field a team in the Championship competition and till last weekend it looked as if their work may have been to the detriment of the Premiership team.

Takahiwai had to work hard for their 32 – 30 win over Muriwhenua to remain on equal top of the table. While the Northern Wairoa Bulls showed that they will be strong come the business end of the season with an emphatic 80 – 10 thumping of the Kerikeri Makos.

The resulting outcome from the weekend sees a top of the table stacked with four teams on 8 points. The Tigers remain in first place on points differential with Takahiwai followed by Hikurangi and Portland, they are followed by another four teams log jammed on four points , Northern Wairoa, Otangarei, Muriwhenua and Hokianga followed by Horahora and Kerikeri looks almost a certainty for the wooden spoon.

Click here to see results and points table.

Click here to see RLN Scott Electrical Premiership Draw