September 22nd
2022 saw one of the most significant events in the grassroots rugby league calendar introduce the inaugural National Girls Youth Tournament. Now back for 2023, the Boys and Girls National Youth Tournaments will each spread over three days, kicking off with the Girls Tournament at Taupo’s Owen Delaney Park. Both tournaments will feature 16s and 18s grades.
Throughout the competition, the Aotearoa Whaanui and New Zealand Clubs teams will be chosen by selectors to play on October 23rd, at Bruce Pulman Park in Auckland. The Aotearoa Whaanui teams will be chosen from the 16s tournaments to face the Auckland Invitational sides. The New Zealand Clubs teams will be selected from the 18s tournaments to play against the New Zealand Schools teams.
National Girls Youth Tournament
Sunday 24 – Tuesday 26 September
Owen Delaney Park, Taupo
Returning to Taupo, the National Girls Youth Tournament will see talented rugby league wāhine from throughout the country competing for their Districts and Zones over three days. The inaugural Girls Youth Tournament in 2022 had a spectacle ending with two narrow finals in both the 16s and 18s grades.
This tournament continues to enhance NZ’s female game, with Alexis Tauaneai completing her journey from the inaugural 2022 National Youth Tournament to becoming a part of the St. George Illawarra Dragons NRLW team. Additionally, Taleenza Nelson secured a Development contract with the Cronulla Sharks. The 2023 tournament will undoubtedly feature wāhine looking to complete the same journey.
National Boys Youth Tournament
Wednesday 27 – Friday 29 September
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
The National Boys Youth Tournament will close off grassroots footy for September, returning to Rotorua’s Puketawhero Park to be held over three days. This tournament will see the best young tama toa compete across the 16s and 18s grades from Zones and Districts, including; Northland, Auckland, Akarana, Counties, Waikato, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty, Coastline, Mid Central, Wellington, and South Island.
Girls Youth Tournament Live Stream Schedule
Sunday 24/09
10:00 am Wellington v Waikato 16 Girls (Pool B)
11:00 am South Island v Wellington 18 Girls (Pool B)
1:00 pm Counties Manukau v Akarana 16 Girls (Section A)
2:00pm Akarana v Waikato 18 Girls (Pool A)
Monday 25/09
10:00 am Mid Central v Waikato 16 Girls (Pool B)
11:00am Akarana v Auckland 18 Girls (Pool A)
1:00 pm 16 Girls Semi-Final
2:00 pm 18 Girls Semi-Final
Tuesday 26/09
11:00 am 16 Girls Finals
12:30 pm 18 Girls Finals
Boys Youth Tournament Live Stream Schedule
Wednesday 27/09
10:00 am Akarana v Wellington 16 Boys (Pool B & C)
11:00 am South Island v Bay of Plenty 18 Boys (Pool B & C)
12:00 pm Auckland v Waikato 18 Boys (Pool A)
1:00 pm South Island v Mid Central 16 Boys (Pool B & C)
2:00 pm Bay of Plenty v Mid Central 16 Boys (Pool B & C)
3:00 pm Counties Manukau v Northland 16 Boys (Section A)
Thursday 28/09
10:00 am Counties Manukau v Auckland 16 Boys (Section A)
11:00 am Wellington v Mid Central 18 Boys (Pool A)
1:00 pm 16 Boys Semi-Final
2:15 pm 18 Boys Semi-Final
Friday 29/09
11:00 am 16 Boys Finals
12:30 pm 18 Boys Finals
For the National Youth Competition live streams, complete draws, results, and to keep up with all the rugby league action visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.
