Wairarapa Bush Appointments Cameron Hayton – WBRU Rugby Manager (new role) Thomas Ralls – WBRU Rugby Development Officer After a review of our Strategic Plans (2023 to 2027) and with the continual changes in the NZ rugby landscape, we have some changes to our staff structure to support the delivery and growth of our women and junior rugby. With women and junior rugby growing and the demand for more performance related investment at all levels of the game, we have taken some time to review our delivery. It is with great pleasure to announce that Cameron Hayton will take up a new role as WB Rug ..read more

The WBRU Council of Clubs are pleased to announce a new format for the 2024 Premier Club Competition after reviewing the 2022 and 2023 season post COVID. The WBRU Council of Clubs recognizes that the landscape of club rugby is continually changing and therefore must be proactive in the approach to how rugby is delivered in the region. The new format will see all 12 clubs having an opportunity to enter into one full round of games (commencing the first week after Easter 2024) and then splitting into a top 5 Championship round, with the top 5 teams playing one full round to determine the se ..read more

Congratulations to WBRU Board member Robyn Cherry-Campbell on being selected to be a participant on the NZR Women in Rugby Governance and Mentorship Programme 2024. 49 women have been selected across New Zealand to participate in the program. The growth in women rugby and sport has increased substantially over the last few years and WBRU has been at the forefront (along with other Heartland Unions) in creating an environment in delivering the best for our women and girls as the game increases in popularity. Robyn Cherry-Campbell was appointed on the WBRU Board as an independent director in 202 ..read more

The WBRU have the pleasure in announcing that Reece Robinson will continue as the Head Coach for of the Copthorne Wairarapa Bush Heartland team for 2024 after an improved season under his guidance in his first year as Head Coach for 2023. The Copthorne Wairarapa Bush Heartland team finished 6th in the round robin competition meaning they hosted a semi-final against West Coast in the Lochore Cup section of the competition. The team eventually went down 33 -27 and West Coast went on the beat Poverty Bay in the final. The detailed review between the coaching team, the Union and players, identifie ..read more

Full time Role with Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union Women’s and Junior Rugby Manager (based in Masterton) Start date: February/March 2024 WBRU is pleased to announce as part of our Strategic Plan and with growth in our women and junior rugby across the Union, we are looking to appoint a full-time Women’s Rugby and Junior Rugby Manager (based in Masterton) Summary Position Description Lead Women’s Rugby in the Union, including the development and delivery of the Women’s strategy at a local and national level. Provide management and support to the WBRU Junior Advisory Board (JAB) including the highl ..read more

Rugby continues to grow in the Wairarapa with an increase of registered players at all levels. Junior rugby players number grew by 7%, College aged students, 3% and adult rugby players, 11%. The total number of registered rugby players in the Wairarapa for 2023 is, 2,277. A 17% increase from 2019 when Covid disrupted our rugby season and a 5% growth from 2022. Age Brackets 0-12     1,250 13-18      405 19+         663 NZR Media release: Community rugby bounce-back continues, tackle height trial extended Commu ..read more

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Programme : Copthorne Wairarapa Bush vs Whanganui 23/09/2023 2023 Home game programme v Whanganui by Wai Bush Rugby ..read more

The list of nominees for the Wairarapa Bush 2023 Awards. Can you please pass on the great news to nominees. 2023 Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union Awards Nominees Farry McLeod Trophy – Volunteer of the Year Pip Sutherland – Martinborough Mark Brown – Marist Louise Henderson – Martinborough David Galvin Trophy – Administrator of the Year (Senior)  Shaun Draper – Martinborough Steve Hurley – Carterton Trish Heming – Carterton Ron Hughes Trophy – Administrator of the Year (Junior)  Ana-May Gudsell – Martinborough Matthew Phillips – East Coast Malcolm & Steph Jaspers – Tuhirangi Ru ..read more

20 SEPTEMBER 2023 · by Adam Julian · action press Masterton’s Trust House Memorial Park has been a fortress for Wairarapa Bush in the Heartland Championship this season. They’ve won all three of their home games conquering Ngāti Porou East Coast (32-31), Poverty Bay (30-24), and King Country (35-26). Road trips have been less successful with three consecutive defeats. This Saturday, Wairarapa Bush hosts Whanganui in the penultimate round of the regular season. Sixth in the standings, a Meads Cup place (top-four finish) remains a possibility but a do-or-die attitude will have to prevail as the ..read more