Canterbury Rugby League

Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand competitions. Previously teams have competed in the Bartercard Cup and Lion Red Cup. The CRL is currently part of the South Island Zone which includes the Tasman, West Coast, Otago and Southland regions.

Canterbury Rugby League Inc
Club information
Nickname(s)CRL
Founded1912 (1912)
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Nga Puna Wai

Club Competition

Eight teams currently compete in the Pat Smith Trophy Premiership;

  • Celebration Lions
  • Eastern Eagles (formerly Aranui)
  • Halswell Hornets
  • Hornby Panthers
  • Linwood Keas
  • Northern Bulldogs
  • Papanui Tigers
  • Riccarton Knights

The winner is awarded the Smith Trophy, which dates back to 1913.

History

Foundation

The organisation was founded on 13 July 1912 at a meeting that included William Moyle, Robert Brunsden, New Zealand representative Charlie Pearce and David McPhail, who had played with St. Helens and Wigan.[1] A.E. Hooper was elected chairman on 17 July and would serve in that position until 1922. Henry Thacker, a mayor and MP, was the first president of the CRL and served from 1912 until 1929.[2] He donated the Thacker Shield in 1913.

Canterbury first played on 7 September 1912 at the Show Grounds against Wellington. Ernie Buckland scored the first rugby league try in Canterbury as Wellington prevailed 5–4.[1] The first local club competition was held in 1913, with four clubs participating. Addington was founded on 31 January 1913, Sydenham one week later on 7 February, Linwood on 12 March and on 14 March St. Albans was formed. The first Canterbury Rugby League Annual General Meeting was held on 31 March 1913.[1]

Touring teams

In 1955 Canterbury defeated the touring French side 24–12.[2] They defeated Great Britain 18–10, in 1990.

Glory Years

The early nineties saw a regional Canterbury side that included many future stars. The side was coached by Frank Endacott and included players such as captain Mark Nixon, Mike Culley, Quentin Pongia, Terry Hermansson, Whetu Taewa, Logan Edwards, Brendon Tuuta, Simon Angell and Mike Dorreen. With the creation of the Lion Red Cup however, many moved franchises and eventually ended up in Australia or England.

Lion Red Cup

In the Lion Red Cup, from 1994 to 1996, Canterbury was represented by the Christchurch City Shiners and the Canterbury Country Cardinals.

Team Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position Finals
Cardinals1994 22152561541020532FourthLost preliminary final
Shiners1994 226016358630-27212EleventhN/A
Cardinals1995 229211446448-220TenthN/A
Shiners1995 2212194554193625SixthN/A
Cardinals1996 226115365555-19013TenthN/A
Shiners1996 223019360643-2836LastN/A

Bartercard Cup

The Canterbury Bulls competed in the Bartercard Cup from 2000 to 2007, winning the title in 2000 & 2003. They were the only franchise from the South Island and the only franchise to play in every season.

Season Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Position (Teams) Finals
2000 22150765852513330Second (Twelve)Champions
2001 22141788248939329Third (Twelve)Defeated in Preliminary Final
2002 165011386531-14510Tenth (Twelve)N/A
2003 16130364837027826Minor Premiers (Twelve)Champions
2004 1690756237418818Fifth (Twelve)Defeated in Elimination Play-off
2005 16110554338815522Second (Twelve)Runners Up
2006 18130558337620726Second (Ten)Runners Up
2007 18120665943022924Third (Ten)Defeated in Preliminary Final

Bartercard Premiership

The Canterbury Bulls competed in the 2008 and 2009 Bartercard Premiership, winning the 2009 competition.

The Canterbury side was again be coached by Brent Stuart and Dave Perkins. Former Kiwis assistant coach and Bartercard cup winning Phil Prescott returned as the director of coaching.[3] The Canterbury U16s and U18s sides were involved in curtain raiser matches before the Senior home games.[4]

Rugby League Park

Canterbury Rugby League had a long-term lease on Rugby League Park which was formerly known as the Addington Showgrounds.[5]

In 2011 due to the Christchurch earthquake the Grand stands became too dangerous to inhabit and Canterbury Rugby League were displaced until 2019 when in conjunction with the Christchurch City council, Rugby League purpose-built facilities were built at the Nga Puna Wai Sports hub and will be officially opened on 23 February 2019 with an exhibition match between the NZ Warriors and the Canterbury Bulls.

Notable Juniors

Aranui Eagles

Halswell Hornets

Hornby Panthers

Linwood Keas

Northern Bulldogs

Papanui Tigers

Riccarton Knights

Burnham Chevaliers

Sydenham Swans

References
  1. Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987
  2. Coffey and Wood The Kiwis: 100 Years of International Rugby League ISBN 1-86971-090-8
  3. Bulls score Prescott The Press, 13 May 2008
  4. Canterbury happy with six-team series The Press, 1 April 2008
  5. Article: Rugby League Park needs fence The Press, 24 June 1998
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