Annual Under 15 Boys' Tournament

As part of Winter Tournament Week, the annual Under 15 Tournament comprises sixteen teams from secondary schools (on an invitational basis) who compete in a Cup and Plate section for the Rex Kerr Trophy.

Annual Under 16 Boys' Tournament

Every year in the third term school holidays, the Council holds New Zealand's premier tournament for Under 16 players, comprising teams from all member Provincial Unions, competing in two divisions for the Don Broughton Shield, the Saracens Cup and the Manaaki Tangata Trophy.

Annual Under 18 Boys' Competition

Every year in September, the Council holds a competition for Under 18 teams from member Provincial Unions, competing for the TrustBank Central Secondary Schools Shield first competed for in the 1990's.

Annual Under 19 Tournament

This competition comprises teams from Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu, and a Hurricanes Heartland Team (comprising players from the Council's member Heartland Provincial Unions), competing for the Central Region Shield on a home and away basis.

Annual Under 20 Heartland Development Series

Comprising teams from the regions Heartland Provincial Unions, the Heartland Development Series is held annually over two weeks, with teams competing for the Hurricanes Under 20 Cup.

Girls' Rugby Development Programmes

Every year, with the support of New Zealand Rugby, the Council provides Development Days, an Under 15 Tournament and an Under 18 Development Camp for young women within the Hurricanes Region.

Annual Hurricanes Sevens Tournament

The best secondary school Sevens players in the region (in Boys and Girls divisions) compete for the Hurricanes Secondary Schools Sevens Cup, hosted by Wairarapa-Bush.

Hawkes Bay Rugby Union Readies For Return To Play

Hawkes Bay RFU’s Chief Executive, Jay Campbell is hopeful that the rugby community will be ready to resume play once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Speaking to the “Footy Show” on Saturday, Campbell acknowledges that there will be many challenges to get teams back on-field in 2020, but he’s confident that the community is focused on doing so.

In new guidelines released last week, New Zealand Rugby advised that rugby training can recommence at "Alert Level 2", provided players can maintain a 1 metre personal bubble. At "Alert Level 1", all forms of rugby training and play can resume with no physical distancing required, however a minimum two-weeks pre-season is required, prior to any competition.

Campbell notes that that despite the challenges for clubs in resuming their normal functions, “rugby people are generally positive people” and “the rugby clubs in Hawkes Bay are working really hard”. He suggests that in 2020, there might be a requirement for clubs to go back to the past where “working-bees and chopping firewood” will be needed to help clubs survive financially. He also has some new ideas on how teenage players can be recognised on the national stage.

You can listen to Jay’s full interview, using the media player below.