Far North Districts Rugby League Kerikeri, Moerewa, Kaikohe, Whanau, Otaua, Waima, Pawarenga, Muriwhenua, Tehiku, Ngati Kahu, The Academy

PO Box 546 60 North Rd Kaitaia

09 408 1800

Monday 23 November 2015 To the Member Clubs of the Rugby League

Rugby League Northland’s (RLN) rejection of our proposals in favour of a structure that has always favoured Whangarei clubs over the clubs of the Far North is disappointing, but not surprising given that the Board is essentially made up of people who live in and around Whangarei.

The cost of travel means there has never been a level playing field for Rugby League in Northland. The 6 Whangarei clubs travel no more than 30 minutes for 70% of their games; the far north clubs travel up to 5 hours for 70% of theirs. RLN has done nothing to remedy the situation.

Even when we offered solutions, RLN rejected them. They:  Rejected our proposal for a two-division competition that would make it easier for Far North clubs to participate in Rugby League.  Rejected our proposal to have the Top 8 clubs in both Whangarei and the Far North play off in a high-profile high-quality Finals Series.  Rejected our proposal for a north-south competition that would help build district rivalry, provide a trial series for the Northland Swords, and help promote the game.  Refused to set up a group of 3 from the Far North, 3 from Whangarei and a representative of the Board to see how our proposal might actually work.  Refuses to recognise that we have 5 new clubs wanting to join our 5 existing clubs, because they are excited about playing in a 10-team Far North competition.  Talked about ‘sustainability’ when the truth is that the clubs in the far north sustain themselves without any assistance whatsoever from the Board.  Talked about ‘aspiration’ when it is our whanau and our clubs that put all the effort into ensuring our players can make it to the next level.  Refused to offer us funding, staff, or any other assistance to help us develop our proposal.

But there have been a lot of positives:  5 new clubs keen to join the existing 4 clubs in an expanded FNDRL programme in 2016.  Good pathways for our juniors through academies set up in the far north, by our own people, without any support from RLN.  Offers of games and tournaments from other clubs, districts and overseas entities.  People in the far north who have been directors, coaches, players, administrators, referees, and sponsors for the Far North, the Mid North, Northland and NZ Maori Rugby League.  It’s great to see more people in the far north wanting to come back to Rugby League.  And it’s great to see the Far North doing it’s bit to grow the game

UPDATE:

Since Jacob Cameron of the NZRL sent his letter rejecting our proposal, I have been busy.

I met with Tawera Nikau (NZRL Board) who disagreed with the way we were treated and will support our request for somebody from NZRL to come north to hear our case. I asked that Tawera and/or Howie Tamati come up at the same time. No date on this yet.

I met with John Devonshire (Chairman NZMRL) who said they had agreed to our affiliating with them. John said more and more Maori teams were wanting to play in the National Maori Tournaments. He said we could enter teams in those tournaments (see draw) and added that they were well attended by NRL scouts.

I met with Les from the Hawkes Bay who said their clubs were going through similar difficulties in their region. He offered to come up to meet with us 11-13 December to plan an interactive season with them. He was working on the League with Kevin Tamati and would get Kevin to come up to run a coaching clinic at the same time.

I spoke to Peter Cross (East Coast Maori Rugby League) who was also very supportive of what we were doing. They had a similar number of clubs and would welcome the chance for their rep squads to play ours. He said he would also like to come up to talk about how we can build pathways for all our kids as well as develop programmes for our coaches, referees and administrators.

I’ve spoken to Dave Bristow (Moerewa Tigers) who suggested we also include the NSW and QLD Maori Rugby League Tournaments. It would be a great opportunity for our kids to see how the game is played by Maori in Australia, and we might be able to secure an invitation for a team to pay in one of their tournaments as well.

And I have also been approached by people wanting to sponsor the FNDRL.

Everywhere I have gone, the support for what we are doing has been huge, except for the NZRL who I suspect are feeling threatened by the growth of Maori Rugby League. NZRL even tried to block the Maori Tournaments this year (unsuccessfully).

Northland Rugby League remains an option. But at this stage, I ask clubs to support the FNDRL as we look to build a better and brighter future for Rugby League in the Far North.

Hone Harawira FNDRL

I have attached a copy of a draft draw for all clubs to consider

2016 FNDRL DRAW

CLUBS

 We have 4 current clubs Moerewa, Muriwhenua, Otaua, Pawarenga  We have interest from 5 new clubs Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Waima, Te Hiku, Ngati Kahu  We need 8 clubs for a good competition

 All clubs to submit Draft Club Profiles by 02 Dec 2015 / Final Club Profiles by 16 Dec 2015.  Dec 17 2015, the Executive will recommend which clubs are eligible to play in the 2016 competition.  Allowing for any appeals, the Board will make a final decision in Jan 18 2016.  The draw will be reformatted to fit the final number of clubs approved for the 2016 competition.

CALENDAR draft only - based on 8 team competition

 Two rounds; every team plays home & away  Divisional play-offs - NGAPUHI V MURIWHENUA - Premiers, Development, 17s, 15s  The NGAPUHI v MURIWHENUA games will be trials for the NORTHERN REBELS squads  Apr 23; NGAPUHI v MURIWHENUA Premiers, Development, 17s, 15s Kaikohe  May 14; REBELS Premiers, Development, 17s, 15s v NZ Maori Invitation Teams Kaitaia  Jun 18; NGAPUHI v MURIWHENUA Premiers, Development, 17s, 15s Kaitaia  Aug 13; REBELS Premiers, Development, 17s, 15s v Graham Lowe Invitation Teams Kaikohe  The club competition will end with a 4 week finals series with all 8 clubs involved

Mar Apr May 19 26 02 09 16 23 30 07 14 21 28 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 2 1 2 3 4 5 N v M 6 7 NR 1 2

Jun Jul Aug 04 11 18 25 02 09 16 24 31 07 13 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 3 4 N v M 5 6 7 FW1 FW2 FW3 GF NR

 4-6 June Northern Rebels U15s and U17s National Maori Tournament Hawera  3-4 Sept Northern Rebels 10s – 14s National Maori Tournament Hopuhopu  1-3 Oct Northern Rebels Premiers NSW Maori Tournament Sydney*  1-3 Oct Northern Rebels Premiers QLD Maori Tournament Brisbane*  22-24 Oct Ngapuhi & Muriwhenua Premiers National Maori Tournament

FINALS SERIES

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

1 Winner 4 Loser Minor Winner Major Winner Semi Final #1 Semi Final #1 6 Winner 8 GRAND FINAL 5 Winner 7 Minor Winner Major Winner 2 Loser Semi Final #2 Semi Final #2 3 Winner