Town vs country today

Town and country pride will be on the line today as the week of rugby celebration continues at the Avatiu field.

This has been a busy and exciting week at all levels for rugby with the three-day kids holiday programme, CIPS under 15 college sevens tournament, and CITC constitution sevens tournament ending today with a series of rugby games for kids of all ages from Rippa rugby for boys and girls to the more serious town versus country 15-a-side matches in the under 13, under 16 and under 19 grades.

The town team will comprise players from the town clubs made up of Tupapa Panthers, Takuvaine Reds and the Avatiu Eels.

The country team will comprise players from the country clubs made up of Arorangi Cowboys, Titikaveka Bulls and the Ngatangiia/Matavera Dragons.

Outer islands players are invited and welcomed to take part as long as they can prove that they are eligible to play in the various grades.

The town and country regional-level matches have been strategically placed to help identify talented players, coaches, managers and referees as CIRU looks to develop pathways from home which are inclusive of our outer islands families too.

There are also potential rugby scholarship opportunities available for some players in the future. CIRU is grateful for the coaching support from Cook Islander and ex-New Zealand sevens player Chad Tuoro who has run the three-day kids holiday programme and also assisted some of the local clubs and outer islands teams during his visit.

Tuoro will be an integral part of strengthening the current coach development systems and resources at all levels of the rugby pyramid in future.

Rippa rugby for boys and girls gets underway at 10am, followed by the town and country clash at 2pm.