Kia ora from Community
I’m Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, and I’ve been given the awesome opportunity to work in our ever growing women’s and girls space in my role at Canterbury Rugby Union as Women’s and Girls Lead.
Coming through grassroots as both a player and RDO, I’m very passionate about our rugby community.
Making sure the game is a fun and enjoyable experience for all wahine is key to keeping them in the sport we love so much .
With over 100 games for Canterbury under the belt, I’m excited to help shape the future of Women’s rugby.
I’m really looking forward to working with the amazing volunteers in our clubs and schools, and believe off the back of some impressive growth last year, our provincial union can really take the lead in this space.
Mā tō rourou, mā tōku rourou, ka ora te iwi.
With our shared offerings and contributions, our community will thrive.
Ngā mihi,
Steph Te Ohaere-Fox
Women’s and Girls Lead
Under the posts with Isaac Hutchinson
At just 20 years old, Rugby Park is already like a second home to one of our rising stars. Isaac Hutchinson, born and bred in Christchurch, was still playing High School rugby when he was first noticed by Canterbury’s Development system.
Hutchinson has since played multiple representative finals, spent three years in the Crusaders Canterbury Academy and is one of the latest Canterbury players to make the Crusaders Wider Training Squad.
Representative grades are a critical stepping stone for many and has certainly played a significant role for Hutchinson. The outside back has been so involved with the pathways available to him, there is likely a large drawer in his home dedicated for his equally very large collection of team jerseys.
“I've been incredibly lucky, the pathways I've taken, and all the doors that have been opened, have given me so many opportunities to develop my game” said Hutchinson about his impressive list of rugby accolades.
Hutchinson played for St Bedes College before being selected in the Canterbury U19s. His growth during the campaign resulting in the selection to wear the Black jersey for the New Zealand U20s.
It was heading to the U19 final against Otago when Hutchinson received the call from his agent to tell him he had been signed for the NPC, “the phone call really caught me off guard, hearing that news was so surreal” said Hutchinson, “I feel really connected to Canterbury, there is that grassroots feel even at NPC level. There is a whole other level of excitement around it.”
In his breakthrough Bunnings Warehouse NPC season Hutchinson appeared in the starting line up nine times, scored a hat trick in the space of 20 minutes against Waikato and was one of the top ten point scorers of the competition. His outstanding performance earned him the title of 2024 Rookie of the Year with Canterbury.
When he’s not in red and black, Hutchinson is in the green and white of Marist Albion Rugby Club, where he’s played for the premier side since he was 17. With 24 premier games under his belt he is one game away from receiving his club blazer, something he hopes to achieve this season. Team mate and Marist Albion stalwart, Rowan O’Gorman, described Hutchinson as “electric on the field. He’s a pretty switched on young lad. It’s awesome seeing guys like him and Dom (Gardiner) getting the rewards for their hard work, and then they’re still coming back to their club as well.”
Hutchinson’s biggest piece of advice for the younger generation of Canterbury rugby players is to purely enjoy what they do, “don’t put pressure on yourself to make the big teams right away. It’s not just about talent, what matters most is passion and work ethic. As long as you're having fun and putting in the effort you’ll find fulfilment in what you do, the results will follow.”
If you’re keen to get out on the field this year, registrations are open now! Click here to get involved.
words by Hannah Yates
Simon Kneebone from the coaches corner
We’re ramping up to club rugby season, and it’s not just the players who are getting prepared. Coaches are an instrumental part of club rugby, bringing teams together with a joint focus and developing skill sets for results on and off the field.
Simon Kneebone, assistant coach to the Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse side, and most recently named in the Super Aupiki Matatū coaching team, has extensive experience with much of his career based in Canterbury.
Likely a similar story to many coaches across the province, when Kneebone made the decision to hang up his boots for the last time he wasn’t prepared to walk away from the game which had given him so much joy over the years. A natural progression to step into a coaching role, Kneebone reflected, “It was probably around giving back for all the coaches that I'd had growing up, and then obviously an urge within me to develop and help others realise their dreams”.
Kneebone’s representative coaching career started with Canterbury’s age-grade teams, which eventually led to an opportunity with the Crusaders Academy. His experience expands vastly over the years from stints in Seattle and Sydney, to being part of last year’s NZ Māori Under 18 coaching group, that delivered a first ever win over the NZ schools team.
“I think we’re really spoiled in Canterbury,” Kneebone said about the depth of coaches in our union, “We have so many good people within the rugby circle, and I certainly know when I was coming through, I got the opportunity to coach with them but also learn from them. The knowledge bank is really deep here”.
Kneebone is passionate about the quality of coaches in Canterbury, including those on their way up, “don't ever be afraid to ask for development, or just ideas or advice because if I didn't get it when I was coming through, I probably still wouldn't be doing it”.
While Kneebone’s career has seen him go from club level to high performance, he still remains connected to grassroots assisting Linwood Rugby Club to their Championship win in last year’s Bascik Transport Metro competition, putting a lot of his successes down to his dedication to build relationships and trust with his players.
“If you're genuine around trying to make them better rather than needing success for yourself, then the actual coaching side's really easy,” said Kneebone, “because all that does is build trust and when people trust you then they're happy to learn and happy to be told how to do things”.
If you’re ready to step up in a coaching role get in touch with your club or school today, they would love to hear from you!
words by Hannah Yates
Upcoming Events
Check out what’s on around the grounds…
STRENGTH SERIES with Ash Jones 17th February, 24th February, and 3rd March | Rugby Park
A huge thank you to our 2025 Pathways Partners.
