Latest news with #SteveLancaster
Otago Daily Times
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Provincial game's character hinges on money
While we await New Zealand Rugby's long-overdue announcement about the future of the NPC, Adrian Seconi ponders what the competition might look like next year. Get a day job? The Men's Pathways and Competitions report appears to have been filed in the third drawer down at the New Zealand Rugby headquarters. However, its contents have been widely leaked. And, according to various media reports, one of the key recommendations is to affirm the NPC as a key competition in the men's pathway. There is a fishhook, though. The costs are too high and one way to make some savings is to introduce a salary cap. New Zealand Rugby general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster confirmed to the Sunday Star-Times that a salary cap of $840,000 was proposed in the pathways report. To put that into context, if the provincial unions contracted 30 players, they could pay them an average of $28,000 each. That is not bad for three months' work, but is it enough to give up your day job? No roof? Otago will play Auckland at Auckland Grammar School on October 4. Auckland are saying they want to get the game into different corners of the city. Puh-lease. It is about saving money and that fixture is a trial run. The NPC costs more than $36 million each season. Player payments make up the largest chunk of that, but venue costs, estimated at $4million, are the next expense set for a prune. NPC champions Wellington have already moved in that direction. They will host all their games at Porirua Park this season. It is suggested that about $400,000 could be shaved off the bill of running the competition if all 14 NPC teams moved to smaller venues. Otago had an average crowd of just 1600 last year. Does that even keep the lights on at Forsyth Barr Stadium? How long before Otago follow in Wellington's footsteps and make the move to Tahuna Park? Rugby for free? Could the NPC be about to return to free-to-air television? Sky recently bought TV3 for a buck, and that buck might return some NPC games to New Zealanders who have been unable or unwilling to pay to watch rugby. The New Zealand Herald reported New Zealand Rugby had previously been in talks with TVNZ to sell partial broadcasting rights for the NPC and Farah Palmer Cup. Sky was reportedly willing to work with TVNZ, but the expectation now is it would use TV3 to broadcast the games it deems fit for free-to-air, while the rest would remain behind its paywall.
Otago Daily Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
$30k makeover on its way for club
The Harbour Rugby Football Club's division 1 team, who played in the final at Forsyth Barr Stadium at the weekend, enjoy plenty of community support. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A grassroots club has received a hefty helping hand to develop its facilities. Harbour Rugby Football Club was recently awarded $30,000 in supplies from hardware retailer Bunnings as part of its Rugby Assist initiative. Club representative Zachary Martin said it planned to install a new kitchen, update indoor lighting and improve heating in its recently refreshed children's playroom. It was more than just a rugby club, it was a part of the community, he said. "We are here to grow this game, support our players and create a space where everyone feels welcome." The club had big plans for the future and it was exploring the return of a women's rugby team to the club, he said. "With 172 registered players across all grades, we may be one of the smaller clubs in Dunedin but we see that as one of our greatest strengths. "Our size enables us to genuinely support every player and foster a close-knit, positive club culture." Bunnings Rugby Assist is a joint initiative between Bunnings Warehouse and New Zealand Rugby to help grassroots clubs upgrade facilities. In a statement, New Zealand Rugby general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster said judging was difficult because there were so many worthy applicants. "Congratulations to all the clubs receiving support this year. "We look forward to seeing the positive difference this will make for your clubs and communities." Grassroots rugby played a vital role in the game. "It is where future All Blacks and Black Ferns take their first steps and communities come together around a shared love for the game." Bunnings New Zealand general manager Melissa Haines said over the past four years team members nationwide had "rolled up their sleeves" to help clubs transform facilities, from changing rooms to kitchen fit-outs. "We have together tackled projects that genuinely make a difference." Harbour Rugby Football Club is one of 10 winning clubs across the country that will share $300,000 worth of Bunnings products and materials.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Rugby condemns referee abuse after provincial union postpones games
Photo: Unsplash / Davide Buttani New Zealand Rugby has condemned the abuse of referees after a provincial union cancelled all this weekend's games following another incident. Horowhenua Kāpiti Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) is postponing all club and college games after a referee officiating a college match between its college team and a visiting school side last weekend "was subjected to serious verbal abuse and physical intimidation". The union said the abuse was directed at the referee throughout the match by multiple visiting individuals, with the abuse so severe members of the public felt compelled to escort the referee to his vehicle following the game for his safety. "Horowhenua Kāpiti Rugby Football Union is appalled by this behaviour and stands with our match officials. This conduct has no place in our game, at any level and will not be tolerated." New Zealand Rugby's general manager community rugby, Steve Lancaster, said the governing body supported the HKRFU's decision. "New Zealand Rugby is deeply disappointed that the actions of a few individuals have resulted in the cancellation of this weekend's matches in Horowhenua-Kāpiti," Lancaster said in a statement given to RNZ. "We fully support the decision made by the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union and commend their commitment to upholding the values of our game. "Physical and verbal abuse has no place in our communities - whether at work, in study, or other activities - and rugby is no exception. There is no room for the physical or verbal abuse of volunteers in our sport. Rugby is built on respect, and we must all play our part in protecting and promoting that principle. "We continue to work closely with our provincial unions to monitor and address instances of abuse, and we are committed to providing support to those affected." HKFRU issued a warning at the end of May that it would consider cancelling games after it said a referee was threatened with being stabbed . That statement, it said, made clear that the safety and respect of referees was non-negotiable. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the union said all rugby across the union on 28 June would be postponed, including junior, college-grade and senior matches. "This will provide time to reflect and consider what kind of rugby environment we are creating and enabling. We must take collective responsibility to protect our referees, uphold the mana of our game, and ensure that rugby remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved. "The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Stand up and show your support for our Match Officials," chief executive Corey Kennett said. In late May Kennett had said referees were being physically threatened, some faced physical abuse and a referee had been struck with a piece of field equipment, and one referee had been threatened with being stabbed. The union board was united in its condemnation of this behaviour, chairperson John Cribb said in the Wednesday night post. "It is unacceptable and not what we expect from anyone involved in rugby. Whether you're a player, coach, parent, or supporter, you have a responsibility to uphold the values of our game. Referee abuse undermines everything we stand for and will not be tolerated. We expect better, and our referees deserve better."
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Bunnings Rugby Assist Returns For 2025 To Support Your Club
2025 marks the fifth year of Bunnings Rugby Assist, an initiative dedicated to helping community rugby clubs upgrade and maintain club facilities that are vital to their operation. An additional 10 clubs will be selected this year, each to receive $30,000 to make club improvements, adding to the 50 clubs who have already benefitted from the program since it launched in 2021. NZR General Manager of Community Rugby, Steve Lancaster said: 'With the valued support of Bunnings Rugby Assist, we can further champion the incredible work of rugby clubs throughout Aotearoa. These clubs tirelessly serve their communities, shaping young players and providing welcoming environments for all to enjoy our sport.' Over the past four years, Bunnings has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with clubs from across the country who are making a positive difference to their local rugby community. 2022 Bunnings Rugby Assist Winning club, Auckland Marist, were acknowledged for their commitment to their women's teams and over the years have continued to see sustained growth and glory within the local competition. Vania Wolfgramm, Auckland Marist club representative and former Black Fern said, 'The access to these funds and hands on support from the Bunnings team have made such a critical difference to Auckland Marist and our abilities to make everyone feel welcome. The upgrades we were able to make to changing rooms have allowed our women to feel a deep sense of belonging as we continue to grow the game for our wāhine toa. This year, Bunnings will continue to champion grassroots rugby clubs who are making a meaningful impact and are at the heart of their communities. According to Deb Perano, Head of Store Operations at Bunnings New Zealand, "Grassroots rugby clubs are central to Aotearoa's communities, bringing people together and growing the game. We look forward to another year working alongside the rugby community and encourage clubs to apply, so Bunnings Rugby Assist can empower another ten clubs to achieve even more for their local community. Grassroots clubs from across the country can apply for the Bunnings Rugby Assist for the chance to receive a share of $300,000 worth of Bunnings products and materials. Bunnings Rugby Assist is open for applications from Monday 12th May 2025 until Sunday 15th June, 11:59pm.
