DON’T MISS A THING.
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At Canterbury Rugby, we know that our game thrives because of the people who pour their passion and time into it. From volunteers lining the fields, to coaches shaping the next generation, to teams and clubs who represent the very best of who we are, community rugby is the heartbeat of our province.
“These awards are all about celebrating the heart of our game – the people who give their time and energy to make rugby possible" said Community Rugby Manager Michael Sheat. "Every season, countless people step up as leaders, supporters, and innovators, both on and off the field. These awards are our chance to say thank you and shine a light on their incredible efforts.”
After many fantastic nominations we are thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 Canterbury Rugby Community Awards.
Volunteer of the Year
Volunteering takes many forms. It enables our game to be played, delivered, and positively impacts our communities in ways that are immeasurable. The Volunteer of the year nominees give their time to rugby, making it a better place for those they are serving and supporting.
2025 Finalists
Sophie Thompson - Marist Albion
Jimmy Wells - Linwood
Brendon Friel - Waihora
Coach of the Year
Coaches are role models and leaders who support their club or school to be successful in the long term. On fieldresults may come to the Coach of the Year, however this is not their key focus.They create a positive team environment with their players' enjoyment of thegame at the heart of it.
2025 Finalists
Eruera Rongonui - HSOB Year 7
Jamie Youngman - Saracens Div 2
Peter Chaplin - Tri Rugby/Christchurch Boys High School
Community Team of the Year
Our team of the year nominees are tight knit groups who have achieved more than the sum of their parts. They have qualities as a group that embody everything that is great about rugby and they will have contributed to their club, community and whanau beyond game-time.
2025 Finalists
New Brighton Under 85kg
Lincoln Bales Colts
Hurunui Womens
Rugby School of the Year
The School of the Year nominees are future focused; innovating and challenging the norm while also creating an environment that includes players of all skill levels and diversities. They cultivate a lifelong love of rugby.
2025 Finalists
Christchurch Boys High School
St Margarets College
Club of the Year
The Club of the year nominees nurture a lifelong love of rugby in their community. They are respected within the rugby community for their leadership, vision and initiatives that see them working on and off the field for the betterment of rugby.
2025 Finalists
Marist Albion
Linwood
Waihora
The 2025 winners will be announced across our social media channels and hosted on YouTube from mid-December. Be sure to follow along and celebrate those who make the red-and-black community proud.Alongside our club and school categories, our Community Rep Awards celebrate outstanding players representing Canterbury at age-grade and representative levels.
The winners of these five will also be announced through our social media channels in December.
To everyone who sent in nominations and to every volunteer, coach, player, parent, referee, administrator, and supporter who contributes to rugby in Canterbury — thank you. You are the reason community rugby is strong, connected, and full of life. Here’s to another year of celebrating the people who make our game great.
