Annual Under 15 Boys' Tournament

As part of Winter Tournament Week, the annual Under 15 Tournament comprises sixteen teams from secondary schools (on an invitational basis) who compete in a Cup and Plate section for the Rex Kerr Trophy.

Annual Under 16 Boys' Tournament

Every year in the third term school holidays, the Council holds New Zealand's premier tournament for Under 16 players, comprising teams from all member Provincial Unions, competing in two divisions for the Don Broughton Shield, the Saracens Cup and the Manaaki Tangata Trophy.

Annual Under 18 Boys' Competition

Every year in September, the Council holds a competition for Under 18 teams from member Provincial Unions, competing for the TrustBank Central Secondary Schools Shield first competed for in the 1990's.

Annual Under 19 Tournament

This competition comprises teams from Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu, and a Hurricanes Heartland Team (comprising players from the Council's member Heartland Provincial Unions), competing for the Central Region Shield on a home and away basis.

Annual Under 20 Heartland Development Series

Comprising teams from the regions Heartland Provincial Unions, the Heartland Development Series is held annually over two weeks, with teams competing for the Hurricanes Under 20 Cup.

Girls' Rugby Development Programmes

Every year, with the support of New Zealand Rugby, the Council provides Development Days, an Under 15 Tournament and an Under 18 Development Camp for young women within the Hurricanes Region.

Annual Hurricanes Sevens Tournament

The best secondary school Sevens players in the region (in Boys and Girls divisions) compete for the Hurricanes Secondary Schools Sevens Cup, hosted by Wairarapa-Bush.

“The Bays” Sparkle In Levin’s Bright Spring Sunshine

Hawkes Bay RFU and Poverty Bay RFU were unbeaten throughout and the trophy winners on the final day of the 2024 Hurricanes Under 16 Tournament, hosted by Horowhenua Kapiti RFU in Levin. On Finals Day, the five fixtures were played in bright spring sunshine on the lush green fields of Playford Park.

In Division A, Hawkes Bay RFU prevailed over Manawatu RFU by 13 points to 8, despite trailing the green team by 5 points to 8 at half-time. As reported by our friends at Club Rugby here, Manawatu were unable to capitalise on numerous opportunities to win the match, while the defence of the champions was the defining factor leading to their win and their 24th title since 1972.

We were pleased to welcome descendants of Don Broughton’s family to Playford Park for the final matches of the Tournament, with Eric Holland-Waterson from Wellington presenting the trophy donated by his relative to the Captain of the winning team, Carter Pirie.

2024 is the 24th time that Hawkes Bay have won the Shield since it was first presented for competition in 1972, more times than any other Provincial Union. The Hawkes Bay team also won the Manaaki Tangata trophy for best team culture and spirit during the Tournament.

In Division B, Poverty Bay RFU also trailed at half-time by 7 points to 12 against the Hawkes Bay Development team, but rallied strongly in the second half to win the Saracens Cup for the fifth time, with the final scoreline a very convincing 36 points to 19.