RNZN RUGBY SUCCESS By WOET Stevie Winikerei
Even though COVID-19 brought significant disruptions to our regular sports seasons, rugby in the Navy continued to thrive. Several RNZN women played representative level rugby for North Harbour in the Farah Palmer Cup. The Royal New Zealand Navy Rugby Football Club (RNZN RFC) had their most successful season in over a decade. The Navy held its first Inter-Branch rugby match. Still to come, the NZDF men’s and women’s rugby teams, featuring several RNZN personnel, will play this month against the NZ Police. With the success of rugby in the Navy in 2020, 2021 is shaping up to be a great year.
RNZN women in North Harbour representative team Women’s rugby in North Harbour is growing. In 2020 North Harbour entered multiple women’s teams into the Auckland Rugby women’s competition. The aim is to develop the women’s game in North Harbour to a point where they can host their own competition. Several RNZN women had standout seasons with their teams, being selected for the North Harbour representative side which competes in the Farah Palmer Cup national competition. Congratulations to Ensign Kate Williams (pictured left, also named as Captain of the North Harbour team), Able Chef Caroline Sio, Able Chef Tamea Te Rauna, Able Logistics Supply Specialist Anita Berry, Able Combat System Specialist Phoenix Littin and Clementine Varea for your representative selections.
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Doggies make the semis! 2020 saw a year of growth and success for the RNZN RFC. The club’s Premier 2 ‘Doggies’ made it to the semi-finals, an achievement which the club has not experienced for several years. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the season was cancelled before the team was able to compete for a championship trophy. The team will be looking to achieve the same result next year, but go even further to bring a championship title home for the Navy. The RNZN RFC also awarded blazers to two players for the first time in decades. Receiving a blazer from your club is the ultimate achievement for a senior rugby player. This is an achievement which recognises long term commitment to the club and identifies you as a leader within the team. Congratulations to Petty Officer Weapon Technician Jordancooper Peters and Ordinary Diver Dylan Macdonald (above) for your achievements.
