Sport + Motorsport
Rugby Park in Invercargill is seeing a different style of football this month as the well-known rugby union venue hosts Southland Rugby League summer competitions for the first time.
More than 30 teams have joined the six-week junior and youth rugby league competition, which began in February. The event brings young players together for regular games and gives the sport a new presence in one of the city’s most recognised sporting venues.
Southland Rugby League Development Officer Dominic Vercoe said moving the competition to Rugby Park had been a positive step for the game locally.
“It’s a nice change to have the competition here and it helps give the sport more visibility,” he said.
“League has been steadily growing in popularity in Invercargill and Southland, and there’s a passionate community behind it.
“Some of our younger players are trying out new skills and playing in stadium conditions for the first time, which is a big highlight for them.”
The summer competition sits alongside the regular winter rugby league season and focuses on giving players more opportunities to play and develop their skills.
Vercoe said the additional games helped keep players active while also preparing them for the main season.
“The extra game time helps keep people active and gives players more experience before the winter season starts,” he said.
“The warmer weather is a benefit, too. It’s more enjoyable for both players and spectators.”
Invercargill City Council Manager Venues and Events Jason Wade said the competition was also a good example of how Rugby Park could be used for a broader range of activities.
“Our teams have done an amazing job in the last couple of years at building up the resilience of the turf,” he said.
“They’ve put a lot of work into improving drainage and promoting root growth, which allows a wider range of events to take place on the field without causing damage.”
Wade said the arrival of rugby league at the stadium reflected a wider discussion about the future of the venue.
Council’s Community and Regulatory Committee recently recommended consulting on Rugby Park’s future through the Long-term Plan 2027–2037. A public consultation period is scheduled for March 2027.
“It is a valuable community asset – not just in the winter rugby season – and it has so much potential as an active, multi-purpose venue for our city,” Wade said.
“We hope to see more events taking full advantage of the space at Rugby Park across the entire year.”
Southland Rugby League summer competition games will continue at Rugby Park each week until Saturday 14 March.