Rugby League Northland proudly represented Te Tai Tokerau at this year’s NZRL Youth Nationals in Christchurch, fielding an Under 16 Boys team and an Under 16 Girls team in a highly competitive week of rugby league action.

It’s been a long and rewarding build-up for both sides, whose players are spread right across Northland — from as far south as Dargaville to the Far North. The journey to Christchurch was the culmination of months of training, travel, and dedication from players, coaches, and whānau alike.

Both teams delivered outstanding performances, showing clear growth and improvement from last year’s campaign. The Under 16 Boys finished 7th out of 12 teams, while the Under 16 Girls placed 6th, a strong leap forward from their respective 10th-place finishes in 2024.

With both squads being young for their grade, the future looks incredibly bright — many of these talented players will be eligible to return again next year, adding valuable experience to their development pathways.

Under 16 Girls Head Coach Eric Abraham said he was “incredibly proud” of his team’s effort, composure, and growth throughout the tournament — a sentiment shared by Rugby League Northland Board Co-Chair, Trident Ratu, who travelled as part of the team staff and witnessed the group’s progress firsthand.

That pride was well-earned, with the Northern Swords Under 16 Girls receiving one of the most prestigious acknowledgements of the tournament — being named the NZRL “Team of the Tournament”, an award that recognises off-field behaviour, sportsmanship, and team culture.

Interim Representative Lead Pele Phillips said both squads represented Northland with excellence and humility.

“Both teams were a real pleasure to have. Their management teams were awesome over the campaign and that really put them in good stead heading into a massive tournament. I’m so proud of how both teams performed — both on and off the field.”

The trip to Christchurch was no small feat, and Rugby League Northland extended its heartfelt gratitude to team sponsors McDonald’s Northland and Multi Kai Cooker, whose generous support made the campaign possible.

The 2025 Youth Nationals were not only a showcase of emerging Northland talent, but also a testament to the mana, commitment, and future potential of rugby league in Te Tai Tokerau. With a strong foundation and plenty of young stars set to return next year, the Northern Swords’ youth programme continues to go from strength to strength.

Article added: Tuesday 07 October 2025