Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand competitions. Previously teams have competed in the Bartercard Cup and Lion Red Cup. The CRL is currently part of the South Island Zone which includes the Tasman, West Coast, Otago and Southland regions.
Club Competition
Eight teams currently compete in the Pat Smith Trophy Premiership;
Celebration Lions
Eastern Eagles (formerly Aranui)
Halswell Hornets
Hornby Panthers
Linwood Keas
Northern Bulldogs
Papanui Tigers
Riccarton Knights
Woolston Rams
Shirley Hawks
Sydenham Swans
Addington Magpies
Burnham Chevaliers
Ashburton Barbarians
Rolleston Warriors
The winner is awarded the Smith Trophy, which dates back to 1913.
History
Foundation
The organisation was founded on 13 July 1912 at a meeting that included William Moyle, Robert Brunsden, New Zealand representative Charlie Pearce and David McPhail, who had played with St. Helens and Wigan.[1] A.E. Hooper was elected chairman on 17 July and would serve in that position until 1922. Henry Thacker, a mayor and MP, was the first president of the CRL and served from 1912 until 1929.[2] He donated the Thacker Shield in 1913.
Canterbury first played on 7 September 1912 at the Show Grounds against Wellington. Ernie Buckland scored the first rugby league try in Canterbury as Wellington prevailed 5–4.[1] The first local club competition was held in 1913, with four clubs participating. Addington was founded on 31 January 1913, Sydenham one week later on 7 February, Linwood on 12 March and on 14 March St. Albans was formed. The first Canterbury Rugby League Annual General Meeting was held on 31 March 1913.[1]
The Canterbury Bulls competed in the Bartercard Cup from 2000 to 2007, winning the title in 2000 & 2003. They were the only franchise from the South Island and the only franchise to play in every season.
The Canterbury Bulls competed in the 2008 and 2009 Bartercard Premiership, winning the 2009 competition.
The Canterbury side was again coached by Brent Stuart and Dave Perkins. Former Kiwis assistant coach and Bartercard cup winning Phil Prescott returned as the director of coaching.[3] The Canterbury U16s and U18s sides were involved in curtain raiser matches before the Senior home games.[4]
Rugby League Park
Canterbury Rugby League had a long-term lease on Rugby League Park which was formerly known as the Addington Showgrounds.[5]
In 2011 due to the Christchurch earthquake the Grand stands became too dangerous to inhabit and Canterbury Rugby League were displaced until 2019 when in conjunction with the Christchurch City council, Rugby League purpose-built facilities were built at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub and will be officially opened on 23 February 2019 with an exhibition match between the NZ Warriors and the Canterbury Bulls.
