ROCKCOTE BULLS AND WARRIORS TO PLAY NGA PUNA WAI OPENER

The CRL Senior Prize-giving is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements from the season that was, but Friday night’s awards ceremony also heralded an exciting announcement for 2019.

Canterbury Rugby League will christen its new facilities at Nga Puna Wai on February 23 with a match between the Rockcote Canterbury Bulls and the Warriors’ InTrust Super Premiership team.

“It’s something that’s been in the pipeline for a while, before my time,” CRL CEO Duane Fyfe said.

“The previous administration and the Board have done a lot of groundwork to get it over the line.

“It is a coup, though the timing means the facility won’t be completely finished, so that will restrict the numbers we can have at the match.

“But we’re very happy with the amount of people we’ll be able to get into the grounds – 2,500-3,000 people is the capacity until the grandstand is finished.”

The move to Nga Puna Wai rates among the most significant developments for Canterbury Rugby League in recent years. Fyfe implored the entire rugby league community to get behind the new venue.

“It’s a great opportunity to turn our new house of rugby league into the home of rugby league in Canterbury,” he said.

“We know from our history at Rugby League Park that we cherish having a spiritual home, and we hope Nga Puna Wai will provide that for us again with a buy-in from everybody.

“We’re hoping the rugby league family do come to get the most out of it for themselves, for us and the development of the game.”

The Rockcote Bulls’ clash with the Warriors’ ISP team is part of a bumper early-2019 schedule. As well as the annual Crosbie and Rolleston Nines tournaments, the region will also host the Manly-Warriors NRL match on March 30 prior to the CRL club competitions kicking off.