http://www.norfu.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.norfu.nz en-us Sat, 20 Jun 2026 01:52:18 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/166109/from-super-rugby-to-heartland-classic-sportswear-partners-with-north-otago-rugby/ When the North Otago Old Golds run out at Forsyth Barr Stadium on 16 June for their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago, they will do so in Classic Sportswear for the very first time, a moment that marks the beginning of an official apparel partnership between two organisations united by a shared belief in what New Zealand rugby stands for.Classic Sportswear, the official apparel provider for all five New Zealand Super Rugby clubs, Counties Manukau in the NPC, and Upper Clutha Rugby Club, ha... Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:59:44 +1200 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post166109 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/165941/norfu-celebrates-defining-year-of-growth-and-achievement-in-2025/ Following last night’s 99th Annual General Meeting, we at the North Otago Rugby Football Union (NORFU) are proud to reflect on a defining and highly positive year for rugby in our region.During 2025, the Union undertook a deliberate and focussed program to maximise income, reduce expenditure, and enhance the value of services delivered to affiliated clubs, the wider community, and the region. Revenue grew 8% and accumulated funds also increased 8%, while expenditure was reduced by 4%. The Unio... Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:10:16 +1200 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post165941 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/163540/north-otago-rugby-announces-colliers-rural-real-estate-as-naming-rights-partner-for-presidents-grade-burns-shield/ North Otago Rugby has confirmed Colliers Rural Real Estate as the naming rights partner of its Presidents Grade competition for the 2026 season, to be known as the Colliers Burns Shield.The Presidents Grade (Burns Shield) provides a key participation pathway for North Otago Rugby’s rural and town clubs, supporting school leavers into senior rugby and progression toward the Citizens Shield competition.North Otago Rugby is pleased to welcome Colliers Rural Real Estate, with the partnership refle... Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:41:04 +1200 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post163540 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/158991/heartland-2025-a-season-that-defined-north-otago-rugby/ The 2025 Heartland Championship will be remembered as one of the most powerful and significant seasons in North Otago Rugby history, a campaign that united players, clubs, and community and delivered success when it mattered most.From the first whistle, North Otago played with intent and belief. The squad embraced the challenge of Heartland rugby week after week, combining physicality with attacking ambition and a relentless commitment to one another. Performances grew stronger as the season pro... Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:44:38 +1300 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post158991 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/158855/north-otago-womens-xv-vs-parkes-boars-australia--a-historic-fixture/ In September 2025, North Otago Rugby celebrated a landmark moment for women’s rugby, with the North Otago Women’s XV hosting the Parkes Boars, a touring Australian women’s club side, at the A&P Showgrounds in Oamaru. This match marked the first time a North Otago women’s team had competed against a touring Australian club side, creating a historic milestone in the growth of women’s rugby in the region.The fixture was part of an initiative to revive the North Ota... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:08:54 +1300 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post158855 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/158852/2025-year7-8-girlsonly-rugby-program-a-historic-success/ 2025 was a landmark year for girls’ rugby in North Otago, marked by the launch and outstanding success of the Year 7/8 Girls‑Only Rugby Program. Designed to provide a fun, inclusive, and empowering pathway for young female players, the programme culminated in an exciting girls’ tournament in South Canterbury that not only showcased the talent and enthusiasm of Year 7 and Year 8 girls but also made history for the sport in our region.The programme was facilitated by Colleen ... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:44:36 +1300 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post158852 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/158842/norfu-communityled-strategy-day-2025-empowering-the-rugby-community/ In February 2025, North Otago Rugby hosted a community-led strategy day at the long-serving sponsor, Road Metals, brining together stakeholders from across the rugby ecosystem, including schools, clubs, referee officials, players, coaches, teachers, volunteers, life members, partners, patrons, and community supporters. CEO Sene Naoupu and the team, brought the community together and created the space for expert facilitators Jono Brent (In Your Corner) and Lisa ... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:02:11 +1300 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post158842 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/158828/2025-burns-shield-presidents-grade-final-kurow-vs-old-boys/ Kurow Rugby Club are the 2025 Burns Shield (Presidents Grade) champions following a closely contested final against Old Boys. In a competitive match that showcased resilience and club pride from both sides, Kurow secured victory to claim the Presidents Grade title and cap a strong season in the second-tier competition.The final brought together experience and emerging talent from both clubs, with Kurow ultimately prevailing in a spirited battle. The result marks an important achievement for... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:02:57 +1300 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post158828 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/158818/excelsior-retain-citizens-shields-in-close-2025-final/ Excelsior RFC are the 2025 Fat Sally’s Citizens Shield champions after defeating Valley RFC 31–28 in a tightly contested final at the Oamaru Showgrounds.Played in difficult conditions, the final was marked by physicality, momentum shifts, and strong defensive efforts from both teams. Valley established early control and carried a narrow lead into the halftime break before Excelsior responded with improved accuracy and composure in the second half.With both sides in contention until the closi... Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:36:59 +1300 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post158818 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/post/144047/north-otago-rugby-announces-strategic-partnership-with-north-otago-motor-group/ North Otago Rugby is proud to announce a major new partnership with North Otago Motor Group (NOMG) Toyota, marking the beginning of a dynamic three-year sponsorship that will power the Union’s mission of connection, growth, and community impact. This exciting collaboration brings together two locally driven organisations with strongly aligned values and a shared passion for bringing our communities and people together. Spanning 26 schools and 23 townships, the partners... Fri, 11 Apr 2025 08:57:18 +1200 http://www.norfu.nz/blog/#post144047