WRL Seasons Greetings and reflections 2024…A few words from the CEO WRL. Kia orana koutou katoatoa… It has been another fantastic rugby league season for our community in 2024. Before we break for the Christmas New Year period I would to take a moment to reflect on the highlights, milestones and community impacts that you helped us to achieve this year. A massive thanks to you all from our team to yours. We couldn't have done it without you. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy festive season break and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. The WRL operations team last day is the 20th December and we'll back as of the 13th of January. Enjoy reflecting on a great 2024, plus a snapshot of 2025. Kia Manuia Andre Whittaker CEO WRL
The NUMBERS - who's playing our game: More people registered in our game year on year since 2020 (1279 people). In 2024 (2684 people). Growth in all grades, genders and age groupings. The most significant area is in our youth grades as we see our juniors transition from 5-12 yrs and into the 13ys and above grade. This is where WRL will focus more attention in 2025.
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Learning and development…community capability building:12 x workshops delivered covering NZRL coaching, trainer and team manager accreditation. Referee and player skill development training sessions. Attended by 140 people. |
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A focus on community Hauora - Wellbeing:WRL clubs lead the way taking the initiative to champion Hauora within their own environment. Clubs like Randwick with a “She's Fierce” workshop focusing on hauora and resilience for kōtiro, along with designated club wellbeing champions. Wainuiomata with their traffic light wellbeing engagement system. Toa hosting a community Hauora themed night game at Jerry Collins Stadium. We saw a dramatic reduction in the visibility of alcohol and smoking around the sidelines. We partnered with Hauora organisations like “Mana Wāhine” , "Healthy Families Hutt Valley", “Kokiri Marae Services” and "Ora Toa" to drive positive change and deliver messages about whānau well-being. An end of year survey revealed insights from our community who said that they felt a safe environment around our sidelines. Community health partners were highly satisfied with the levels of engagement from WRL families at games. More than a game we are about whānau. |
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Growth in Representative and Development Pathways.There was a massive growth in representative pathways to the Orcas which saw 12 x representative teams, 240 players and 40 individual people hold roles within those teams. 32 of our people attained NZRL level recognition and selection either as a player, coach or trainer. |
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Champions and high achievers.National 9s Youth Tournament |
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National 13 a side Youth Tournament First Place u18s Girls…2nd Place u16s girls |
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Under 14s Orcas Girls team win against Canterbury Boys team win against Manawatu |
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Womens Orcas 4th place in the National Premiership with wins against Canterbury, Waikato and Auckland Vulcans |
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Orcas Men Winners of the North Island Championship and runners up against Canterbury in the National Championship Final. |
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Wgtn Māori Mens versus Wgtn (NSW) Wedgetails Aboriginal team…indigenous challenge.In a first for Wgtn Rugby League we hosted an aboriginal team from New South Wales in an epic indigenous challenge at the Hutt Rec. The game attracted huge interest with coverage by Atiawa Toa FM and viewed on the Sky TV network. A massive event for Māori rugby league in Wellington. |
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The Big DanceGrand Final Day…6 x different clubs at one venue represented across the Prem div 2 Men (Petone v Randwick), Prem Women (Valkyrie v Te Aroha) and Prem div 1 Men (Wainuiomata v St George). Our community saw a massive turnout for a full day of thrilling rugby league to sign off the 2024 club season. |
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What's Next in 2025 ?Feb : Club Youth 9s March: Accreditation Courses, Orcas u14s Boys and Girls Development Program April: Season Launch Men ( 10 x team Prem 1 comp), Prem 2 Mens, Womens Div. Easter National Youth 9s Tourn May: Junior and Youth Grades Start June: WRL Heritage Celebration Month July: Semi Finals August: Grand Finals…Orcas Preparation all grades, Youth State of Origin September: Orcas Competitions and Tournaments October: College 9s. EOY Awards November: Youth Orcas u14s POD preparation for 2026 TBA …Pilot College Mini Round Robin Series, Intermediate 9s, Pasifika / Iwi games schedule. Bring on 2025…Watch this space !!! |
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