Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub recently - for the first time ever - hosted the South Island U18 Girls’ Rugby Union Tournament, three days of entertaining, fast running rugby from some of the best up-and-coming kōhine.

The tournament invited six provincial teams, from across five South Island unions, to compete against each other with one to be crowned the winner; Otago taking the spoils over Canterbury Black in an entertaining final, 24-17.

New Zealand Rugby’s Women’s Rugby Participation Manager and World Champion Black Fern, Kendra Cocksedge watched on and felt the venue really lifted the players.

“I know the girls have been fizzed about the changing rooms, and the quality fields to play on, even just having a grandstand for the girls’ parents to watch on from is really exciting as well.”

Georgia Calder-Lee, Metro Operations Coordinator for Canterbury Rugby was pleased the venue successfully delivered and enhanced the event.

“Day 1 we had a downpour, but I was impressed with how the fields held up and allowed for good rugby to be played across all of the days.”

Calder-lee added that given the growth of the female game and quality on show, “it makes sense that we continue to invest in the women’s game and provide facilities such as this.”

The competition rotates around the provincial unions each year, with this year marking the tournament's return to Ōtautahi Christchurch since 2018.

To see the final standings and results for the tournament, you can find it here: Representative Competitions — Canterbury Rugby