Schoolboy rugby wrangle resolved
The training kit seemed apt as Nelson College students had been told to put college ahead of clubs. Photo: Stephen Stuart.
Nelson College and the Nelson Bays Sub-Union have agreed on terms for this year’s age grade club rugby competition after months of bitter disagreement.
After two three-hour sessions before mediator Bill Rainey, the parties have resolved to return to a split season for U14 and U15 grades.
That didn’t work last year, with both parties agreeing it was messy having Nelson College students playing for clubs and then later turning out for their own school teams.
A major problem was the first part of the season started in term one and carried on through the holiday break into the second term.
This time, the club competition, which will include a Nelson College team of boarders exclusively from outside the region, will kick off in the first week of May and run in the second term.
In the third term, schools will compete and it is expected some schools and clubs will combine to play against Nelson College, particularly those from outlying towns.
Last year Waimea Combined was unbeaten in the U15 competition, proving too strong for Nelson College.
Mid-week school fixtures will be played as normal through both Term 2 and 3, and Nelson College will continue to fied U16 and U18 teams in the club competition.
To try and ensure smoother junior competitions this year, the Tasman Rugby Union has agreed to create a new role to oversee and manage the age grade season.
The college versus club dispute had dragged on for several years and came to a head four months ago after the sub-union delegates voted 9-2 to exclude Nelson College sides from the club competition.
They argued some established clubs were struggling to field junior teams as players opted for college sides instead.
The college was furious and approached New Zealand Rugby to intervene.
After written and Zoom submissions, NZR referred the issue to independent Nelson mediator Bill Rainey to try and get the parties to reach agreement for the good of teenagers just wanting to play rugby.
Nelson College then announced plans to run its own breakaway league before the planned mediation.
Students were reportedly told that if they didn’t play in the internal Saturday competition, they wouldn’t be considered for selection in the school’s A teams.
“It was robust and hearty debate. Both sides made concessions,” confirms TRU Chief Executive Steve Mitchell of the resolution.
The new framework will be in place for three years with scope for annual collaborative adjustments.