28 March 2024
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) is proud to announce the return of the National District 9s Tournament for 2024, following the event’s success in 2022 and 2023.
This year the National District 9s Tournament will be held at Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park over two days of the Easter weekend, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of March. Pool games will take place on the 30th, with all semi-finals and finals set for the 31st.
The top eight qualifying district teams in each of the grades will compete in the tournament, which will collectively see 32 teams participating. All four grades (16s Boys, 16s Girls, 18s Boys, and 18s Girls) will be hotly contested throughout the weekend for champions to be crowned.
In 2023 Auckland prevailed in both the Boys and Girls 18s grades, whilst Wellington claimed the 16s Girls grade and Manawatu the 16s Boys grade.
Ten districts spanning the country will be represented at this year’s Nationals, namely; Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Coastline, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
This will be Coastline’s inaugural campaign in the tournament, entering teams in the 16s Boys and 18s Girls grades. Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, and Southland all return to the Nationals having last participated in 2022. Southland will field a 16s Girls team for the first time.
The National District 9s is one of the most significant events in the grassroots rugby league calendar, as David McMeeken National Football Operations Manager at NZRL says, “The National 9s Tournament is an effective entry point for rugby league, as it encourages participation and growth of the game at a district level throughout the country.”
The 9s format also fosters interest and development in the girl’s game across the country with Luisa Avaiki, Head of Women’s Rugby League at NZRL saying, “I’m excited that we can continue the momentum of this tournament. It’s a significant event in our calendar as it encourages girls from every district across New Zealand to have a go and get involved in rugby league.”
Visit Sporty for the Tournament draw, results and the Day 2 Draw will be updated regularly.
All Field 1 games will be broadcast on Sky Sport.
All Field 2 games will be live-streamed on the NZRL YouTube Channel.
