Christchurch will host New Zealand Rugby League’s (NZRL) annual National Youth Competition for the first time in 2025.

Ngā Puna Wai, which has been the home of Canterbury Rugby League since 2019, will serve as the venue for the competition, welcoming boys’ and girls’ teams from across the country.

Traditionally held in Rotorua, the tournament has been running in its current format since 2010, featuring teams from the seven Zones and Auckland.

In recent years, teams from the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Coastline districts have also participated.

The last time Canterbury hosted a national tournament was in 1993, when the schoolboy 15-year-olds nationals took place at Burnham Military Camp.

The 2024 National Youth Competition, scheduled for September 29 to October 4 in Rotorua, is expected to attract 50 teams from the Districts and Zones, covering all grades (16s and 18s) in both boys’ and girls’ divisions.

With rugby league experiencing significant growth in the region in recent years, Canterbury Rugby League and NZRL are eager to bring the tournament to the South Island.

Canterbury Rugby League CEO Malcolm Humm said “This is a very exciting time for Canterbury Rugby League. It is a real honour for us to host the 2025 National Youth Competition, and we thank NZRL for this opportunity.

 

“We believe the exceptional facilities at Ngā Puna Wai and the progress the city has made with the rebuild will contribute to an enjoyable experience for those visiting from other parts of the country.”

NZRL CEO Greg Peters said “It’s important to us that regions throughout the country continue to grow, not just in player numbers but across the wider game too.

“Canterbury Rugby League is the perfect example of this and their passion for the game evident.”

South Island teams have made a strong showing in the Youth tournament over the past few years, with the South Island Scorpions taking out the 16s boys division in 2023, and the 18s boys’ team securing a final spot for the third year running also.

2024 will see Canterbury enter the boys’ tournament under their own banner, with Otago, Southland, Aoraki and West Coast Districts remaining under the South Island Scorpions.

A pathway to higher honours, the tournament has seen the likes of Kiwis players Griffin Neame and Jordan Riki both take part. 

Canterbury also lays claim to a number of strong players having come through the ranks, Isabella Waterman and Jaydika Tafua for example, both from the region; Waterman part of the NRLW Newcastle Knights, Tafua on a development deal with the NRLW Cronulla Sharks.