Eight Clubs to contest the Moose Kapene Cup and the Tui Cup for 2014.
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union – 2014 Club Rugby Season
Press Release: 21st March 2014 – Tim Nathan Council of Clubs
Eight clubs have met the criteria to contest the 2014 Moose Kapene Cup and the Tui Cup for the championship.
In a review of club rugby back in 2013 all clubs were given the opportunity to enter into the senior championship for 2014 which would be backed up by an overview of each clubs playing numbers in March 2014 to ensure they could successfully participate in one NZ’s top Heartland Club competition.
Equally at the same time the WBRU agreed to invest heavily into College and JAB rugby over the next three years to ensure playing numbers flowed through to the clubs.
The eight clubs will be Greytown, Eketahuna, East Coast, Marist, Carterton, Martinborough, Pioneer, and Gladstone.
Masterton Red Star, Bush and Turhirangi will contest in the senior reserve competition along with 8 other clubs.
Tim Nathan chairman of the Wairarapa Bush Rugby Council of Clubs said “people will need to understand the amazing goodwill and co-operation by all clubs around making the senior competition meaningful and fit for purpose. There was no blunt approach but a series of processes that helped clubs establish were they are at.
It has been an exciting process and with all clubs in full swing identifying that setting up an Under 21 team and focussing on good administration structures is the future”
“Finally to back up the depth of review completed over the last 6 months – the NZRU has confirmed the WBRU was the only union in NZ where every club completed their club’s warrant of fitness program.”
“For the first time in years we have a competition ready to go on time and no surprises lurking. We need to thank all the clubs involved and working diligently towards the agreed dates. A number of clubs are looking at setting up colts teams for 2014 and 2015 seasons”
Underlying this process is the WBRU investment into College Rugby with the forthcoming appointments of Directors of Rugby within Chanel, Makoura and Kuranui College. Stacey Grant WBRU rugby development officer presented a case to NZRU and the WBRU that focusing in this area was important and the NZRU have agreed and funded the project. Rathkeale and Wairarapa College along with women’s rugby will get additional support on top of their current programs.
If our analysis and investment works – then the NZRU may look to roll out to the rest of the Heartland unions.
“The thought of having a First XV and Colts competition by 2016-2017 is too big of a chance to miss” Tim Nathan said.
