Nelson College called out over rebel rugby competition

A massive dark cloud hangs over junior rugby in the Tasman region.

That’s how former Nelson College U14 A coach Callum Taylor sees the school’s decision to start its own internal league after being told it could no longer field teams in the Nelson Bays sub-union competition.

Callum, who also co-coached the Marist U14 club side last year, challenged the move when it was proposed at a special Nelson College meeting of parents, players and supporters last Thursday.

Within 24 hours, that preferred option was confirmed in an email to parents from the master in charge of rugby, Mark Cochrane.

Callum, a Nelson College 1st XV flanker in 1996-97, was surprised at the speed the college moved at.

The proposal was put to the vote, with Mark releasing results showing 89 per cent of parents, 98 per cent of players and 100 per cent of supporters would back Nelson College if it was to create its own rugby competition.

But Callum wonders about those figures as “no one sitting around me scanned the QR code”.

Some parents have since said they felt pressured to go with the school’s move.
Scott Gibbons, an “old boy” and prominent financial supporter, led the charge from the floor to break away.

“This debate over playing for college or clubs has dragged on for 12 months or so.

“We want a decision to be made so we can provide the boys an avenue to play sport at school. We talk about equity, transparency, integrity, and all the rest of it, so we have to make a decision,” says Scott.

But is a tough decision says Stoke rugby identity Kyle Whiting.

“I just want the boys playing rugby with their mates and enjoying it.

“They bleed for their clubs, so it is a tough decision. At the end of the day, it should be about the boys making their decision not the adults making it for them. The split season was so disjointed last year.”

The issue came to a head last year when sub-union delegates voted 9-2 to exclude Nelson College U14, U15 and U16 teams from the age grade competition, insisting they play for clubs.

The college challenged the ruling and asked New Zealand Rugby to intervene.
After NZR referred the issue to mediation last week, the school called the special meeting.

Callum says it is all very well going it alone, but providing coaches and securing enough players will be a real challenge.

“It was a bit of a shambles at Nelson College last year. It was hard to get coaches and enough players for teams. The club sides were better organised,” claims Callum, who got around Saturday college games to check talent for his U14 A team.

“I know of a case five years ago, where one student played in four different U17 teams in one season.”

Callum had 12 college boys in his 22 strong Marist U14 side last year.

“If we don’t have the numbers to field a club team this year, what happens to the 10 boys from other schools? College is making it hard for clubs to form teams,” declares Callum.

The college had agreed to still attend mediation this week despite its decision to form its own competition.

“I am a bit disappointed Nelson College has taken this stand before going to mediation,” says Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Steve Mitchell.

“This should be about the kids’ choice not necessarily the school.” Steve is investigating whether players from a break away competition would be eligible for Tasman representative sides.