Future All Black talent gears up for Global Games in Queenstown
Up to 5000 kids and adults are likely to descend on Queenstown this weekend (September 2 and 3) with 43 junior rugby teams from around the country competing in the annual Global Games Junior Rugby Tournament at the Queenstown Events Centre.
Taupo is also hosting the Games in the north with two Australian teams competing there. Games organisers say Queenstown has been hosting the Games since 2011 and normally Australian teams would be competing here too. The Games usually attract a lot of international teams and did so prior to 2020.
Event manager Carla Rogers says Covid disruptions have definitely had an effect on the number international teams coming. “Before 2020 we had Japanese, American, French and South African teams at our events.”
However, there will still be a very strong contingent with age-group teams from King Country, North Harbour, Southland, Canterbury, Auckland, Counties Manukau, South Canterbury, Otago and Tasman all competing. “I think it may be our largest Queenstown event yet,” she says.
The Wakatipu Rugby Club is hosting the Queenstown tournament, which starts with an opening ceremony at 8.30am on Saturday (September 2) and a formal welcome by the Remarkables Primary School Kapa Haka group, then kick-off at 9am.
Wakatipu Rugby Club committee member Craig Anderson says they’re excited to host the tournament and showcase what Queenstown has to offer. Wakatipu and Arrowtown Rugby Clubs both have 10-a-side Under-10 and Under-11 teams entered, while in the Under-12 and Under-13 age groups a selected 15-a-side combined Wakatipu and Arrowtown Basin team will represent this area.
Some talented young players are emerging from around the district. In the Under-13 Basin team Jacob O’Neill, who won the Wakatipu Shield for contribution to junior club rugby, will be one to watch, with first five Jack Bamber one to keep an eye on in the Under-12 Basin team. In the Wakatipu Under-11s Maaka Fleming, Callum Longthorn and Junior Tulafono were Most Valued Players this season as was Wakatipu Under-10 player Rylie Cammell, also one to watch.
Each team has buddy teams during the tournament with friendship and camaraderie nurtured and encouraged. “It’s all about the spirit of the game,” says Craig. Buddy teams will share a meal together on the Saturday night. “When the kids play together at age-group level before high school there’s always a better chance of keeping them in the game.
“Global Games puts on a great event and focuses on making sure it’s a positive, fun environment for the kids to enjoy their rugby in."
Wakatipu Under-10s are buddied with Strath Taieri, Wakatipu Under-11s are with Taupo, Basin Under-12s are buddied with Silverdale and Sumner while Basin Under-13s are with College Rifles from Auckland and Christchurch Rugby Club.
Sunday games kick off at 8.30am with a tournament prizegiving that afternoon from 2.30pm.
Wakatipu Rugby Club will be providing volunteers during the event as a fundraiser and helping out behind the scenes.
Organisers are encouraging use of buses and carpooling where possible to avoid parking issues with up to 5000 people, including adult support and supporters, likely to be in town for the two days.
Basin rugby players ready for the Global Games
