BACKYARD FOOTY TOURNAMENT DRAWS OVER 400 TAMARIKI TO NGĀ PUNA WAI
Ngā Puna Wai played host to Canterbury Rugby League’s innovative Backyard Footy primary school tournament on Tuesday, bringing together 42 teams from 26 schools – with an unprecedented 400-plus tamariki participating – on a brilliant day for the junior game in partnership with Primary Sports Canterbury.
Backyard Footy is six-a-side rugby league with modified rule to encourage high player involvement and exciting, free-flowing games, which are 10 minutes long.
“Backyard Footy is all about kids getting their hands on a rugby league ball and having fun,” CRL Director of Football Jamie Lester enthuses.
“We want the kids that already play rugby league to continue their love for the game and for the kids that are experiencing rugby league for the first time, to create a love for rugby league.
“Games are six versus six, played on a small field so all players are heavily involved, and games are action-packed. There are no scrums, and minimal kicks or stoppages in play.
“We don’t give out medals or trophies to the winners – instead, we encourage a great attitude and your best effort. That’s the message from Canterbury Rugby League and Primary Sport Canterbury.”
After 24 teams featured in the 2023 edition, this year’s Backyard Footy tournament included 12 Year 5 & 6 teams, 26 sides in the Year 7 & 8 boys grade and four Year 7 & 8 girls teams – the first time all-girls teams have played in this age-group.
Schools from all corners of the wider Ōtautahi Christchurch area entered teams, while Canterbury Rugby League’s burgeoning relationship with West Coast Rugby League – with Greymouth Greyhounds making their CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership debut last weekend – was further reflected by Grey Main School youngsters making the trip over to play in the tournament.
“It was so great to see so many kids playing around 100 games throughout the day at Ngā Puna Wai,” Lester continues.
“It was cool to have four all-girls teams which was a new addition this year. Most girls were trying rugby league for the first time, so we did a ‘how to play’ coaching session with them before they got into games.
“Seeing so many smiling faces throughout the day was truly rewarding.
“We want to send out a big thank you to Primary Sports Canterbury for organising the event and to Haeata Community College students and our other referee volunteers for all their amazing work. It was a fantastic day and I’m already excited for the 2025 Backyard Footy tournament.”
