Taupō Rugby & Sports Club: Junior Rugby

23/09/2026

🤍🖤Global Games U11 Restricted-The Seagulls🖤🤍

Our U11 Restricted Giants and Titans joined forces for Global Games — two teams coming together, welcoming each other with open arms and quickly becoming one.

And, of course, a new team needed a new name…

Introducing “The Seagulls”!

From the beginning, this was a wonderful group of boys who gelled incredibly well. They brought together all the hard work, skills and determination they had developed throughout the season and played with plenty of passion and heart across the weekend.

There were some outstanding individual performances — both from our Seagulls and the teams they came up against — but what stood out most wasn't any one player or moment.

It was how they supported each other.

They celebrated their teammates, showed genuine respect towards their opposition and officials, and gave plenty of encouragement to their buddy team. Their positive sportsmanship throughout the tournament was something to be incredibly proud of.

And when it came to the rugby, these boys played their hearts out. Game after game they found themselves evenly matched in skill and determination, eventually finishing their Global Games campaign with an awesome three wins, one draw and one very close loss.🏉💪💪🏉

The success of the weekend was about much more than those results. Two groups of boys came together, united as one team, created new friendships and represented Taupō Sports with pride.

We couldn't have asked for a better bunch of kids — or parents — to take us on this journey.

A massive thank you to every parent, whānau member, sideline supporter, coach, manager, referee, organiser, BBQ chef and official who helped make the weekend possible.

An epic weekend. An awesome bunch of boys. And one pretty memorable team — Up The Seagulls! 🖤🤍

23/09/2026

A message from Kayla.

To all of our coaches and managers

I just want to take a moment to say thank you — and I genuinely mean that from the bottom of my heart.

I know how much goes into what you do. I know the hours you give up, the planning, the messages, the organising, the trainings, the game days, the conversations with parents and players, and all the little things that happen behind the scenes that most people will never see.

These are voluntary roles, but the commitment they require is huge. Sometimes they can be incredibly rewarding, and sometimes they can be bloody hard. Please know that the time, energy and care you give our kids does not go unnoticed.

Our kids simply cannot take the field without you.

I will try my absolute best to create opportunities for as many of our kids as possible, but I can't do it alone. I/we need you guys who are willing to step up, give their time, care about these kids and help turn those opportunities into something real. That's what every one of you does, and I am incredibly grateful to have your support.

It's actually taken me until today to sit down and write the posts about our Global Games teams, with the additions/blurbs from coaches and managers. I've been a tad tired — and probably a little too emotional — to find the words to do the team the post they deserve.

Globals is always a massive week for me.

But sitting down today, looking through the photos and writing about each of our teams, as the tears stream down my face It reminded me exactly why I do it.

It's the kids.

It's seeing them pull on that Taupō Sports jersey. It's watching friendships form, confidence grow and teams come together. It's seeing kids get opportunities and experiences they'll remember long after they've forgotten the scores. It's watching our little five-year-olds eventually become U13s, ready to head off into the next chapter of their lives.

And none of that happens because of one person.

It happens because of all of you.

So to every coach and manager who has given their time, energy, patience and heart to our kids this season — thank you.

I know what it takes. I know it isn't always easy. And I hope you know just how much the myself and the club appreciates you.

Seeing those photos and reflecting on Globals has filled my cup back up a little and reminded me of my why. I hope, amongst all the busyness, you've had moments this season that have reminded you of yours too.

Thank you for showing up for our kids. Thank you for supporting me, our club and each other. And most of all, thank you for helping give our kids the chance to get out there and play the game we all love. 🖤🤍

I couldn't do what I do without you.

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

Globals 2026 photos dump send yours in so we can share

23/09/2026

Global Games U13s — The Final Chapter

This one hits a little different! 😭 grab the tissues!

For our U13s, Global Games marked one of the final times this group would pull on the Taupō Sports jersey.

For some, their Taupō Sports journey began when they were just 4-5years old. Others joined us somewhere along the way and quickly became part of the Sports whānau. Some have already moved on to college but still chose to come back to the club and pull on the jersey for another season or tournament.

However they arrived, we are incredibly proud of the young men they have become and man have they grown!

Across the tournament, the boys recorded two wins, two draws and two losses, but their weekend was about much more than a scorecard. They represented their club with pride, played for one another and finished their junior Global Games journey with another set of memories to take with them.

Their coach summed it up perfectly:

“It was an absolute privilege to have such a special group of young men who represented our club so well.”

The team was superbly led by captain Luca, with vice-captains Caleb and Ollie alongside him.

A huge congratulations to Caleb, who walked away with the Man of Steel Award as the team's best overall player across the tournament, and to Eli, Izzy, Lachie Banks, Danny and Kauri, who earned Man of the Match honours.

None of these opportunities happen without the people behind the team. A massive thank you to our generous sponsors — B and S Construction, Loggabull Ltd, Tap and Drainage, Sinclair Plumbing and Lakeland Excavators. Your support gives our kids opportunities and experiences like these, and we are truly grateful.

To all our coaches and their magnificent manager, thank you for the countless hours, encouragement and support you have given this team. And a special thank you to Tracey for all her help as meal coordinator, keeping everyone fed and looked after throughout the weekend.

Wherever Rugby Takes You…

To our U13s: whether your next jersey is at college, another club, or one day back here at Taupō Sports, we wish you nothing but the best for the journey ahead.

We hope that when you get the opportunity or if you move away and life brings you back to Taupō, you might choose to pull on the Taupō Sports jersey again — at that time as a C**t or senior player. We hope you'll share your stories and memories of junior rugby with those who come after you.

And maybe, one day, you'll find yourself back on these same sidelines watching your own children pull on that jersey for the first time.

From five-year-olds to young men ready for their next chapter — we are so very proud of you all.

🖤🤍 Wherever rugby takes you, Taupō Sports will always be part of your story. Thank you for chosing to be apart of ours 🖤🤍

23/09/2026

🖤🤍🏉Global Games U11 Regional Team🏉🤍🖤

The Chiefs and Blacks from Taupō Sports U11s joined forces to create our U11 Regional Team for Global Games!

For most of these boys, this was their second year experiencing Globals together — and it showed. With a couple of new additions joining the group, they quickly came together, strengthened existing friendships and built a fantastic team culture.

Across the three days, the boys produced some exceptional rugby — speed, consistency, determination, strong tackling and plenty of heart. They may not have been the biggest team on the field, but they certainly never let size define them. They tackled hard, backed one another, worked for each other and gave every game everything they had.

Their efforts saw them finish an incredible weekend with four wins from five games, with their final match against our buddy team finishing in a draw — a pretty fitting way to wrap up three awesome days of junior rugby.

But as always, Global Games is about so much more than results. The boys strengthened friendships, showed great sportsmanship and created memories together that will last well beyond the final whistle.

A huge thank you to our parents, whānau, supporters, sponsors, coaches and managers for everything you did to get behind these boys and make the weekend possible.

Four wins. One draw. Plenty of heart ❤️.
An awesome Global Games for our U11 Regional Team. 🖤🤍

23/09/2026

🖤🤍 🏉U12s More Than Just a Tournament🏉🤍🖤

For some of this team, the journey together started back in U10s. Since then, we’ve watched them grow as players, build friendships, change positions, take on new challenges and create some pretty special memories along the way.

Last year, a number of these boys travelled to Queenstown as U11s, where their team was recognised with the Best & Fairest Award. This year brought a different challenge.💪

With all stepping up into U13 for season rugby and the coaches having less time with the group than they would have liked in preparing for global games. As the coaches reflected, the boys grew enormously as individuals, but with such a short time together, they felt they were only beginning to unlock what this group could achieve as a team.

And sometimes that’s what these tournaments are about. Not just the results, but the growth, the friendships, the challenges and the experiences that the kids take away with them.

To our coaches, managers and all the parents who supported this team — thank you. The time, travel, organisation, sideline support and countless little jobs behind the scenes make these experiences possible.

A special shout-out needs to go to coach Alex, who didn’t even have a child in the team but threw himself into the experience. He had an absolute blast and formed some pretty special bonds with the boys along the way. That sort of contribution is what junior rugby is all about, we appreciate you and your time.

For some of our boys, this also marks the end of their junior years with Taupō Sports as they head off to college next year. To those who may not pull on the Sports jersey again, we wish you all the very best for whatever comes next. We hope you take the friendships, memories and lessons from your years at the club with you, and one day return to pull on the Taupo sports jersey once again!

For the rest, the story might not quite be finished yet…

There’s another Global Games adventure on the horizon, and we may just find ourselves packing the bags again in 2027 or 2028.

THE JOURNEY ISN’T OVER YET…... ✈️ 2027? 2028?

Who's aboard??? Dont have to be an All Black to go on tour.

23/09/2026

🖤🤍🖤 🏉 U10 RESTRICTED CHIANTS 🏉 🖤🤍🖤

CHIEFS + GIANTS = CHIANTS!

Our U10 Restricted Chiants our youngest team to play in the Globals, had an awesome weekend at the globals this weekend!

With our Chiefs and Giants joining forces for the tournament, the boys wasted no time making the team their own — even coming up with their own name, the Chiants! We love the Chiants!!

It was awesome watching players from two teams come together so quickly. Across the weekend they showed great skills, strong defence, determination and some seriously impressive team rugby.

PLAY HARD • BACK EACH OTHER • SHOW RESPECT

What stood out most was their sportsmanship. They played hard, backed each other, respected their opposition and referees, and represented Taupō Sports proudly both on and off the field.

There were plenty of brilliant individual moments, but the biggest highlight was watching their confidence grow and the team gel more with every game.

A great weekend of rugby and a pretty special Global Games experience for this bunch of boys. Watch out next year for this team!!

🖤🤍 WELL DONE, CHIANTS! 🖤🤍

23/09/2026

🏆 U10 TANIWHAS – BEST & FAIREST! 🏆

What a way to make your Global Games debut!

Our U10 Taniwhas headed to their first-ever Global Games, winning 3 out of 5 games and finishing the tournament with something pretty special — being awarded the Braves & Nixon Best & Fairest Award for their grade.

We couldn’t be prouder of this awesome group of young players. They represented our club brilliantly both on and off the field.

A huge thank you to coaches Adam Cribb and Justin Wooding, along with a special shout-out to TK for his coaching during the three weeks the team had together at practice.

Thank you also to managers Waverley Jones and Melissa Hare for everything they did behind the scenes, and to all the parents and whānau who pitched in with jobs throughout the tournament. It really does take a village!

For many of these players and their families, this was their very first Global Games experience.

3 wins. A whole lot of memories. And a Best & Fairest award to bring home. 🏆

What a way to start! Little legends.

Congratulations, U10 Taniwhas! 🖤🤍

22/09/2026