The 2024 edition of the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Junior Festival is set for kick off with play scheduled across Thursday August 29, Friday August 30 and Sunday September 1. This year play will be hosted in the heart of South Taranaki at the TSB Hub in Hāwera.
The festival will involve 300+ participants from kura across Taranaki Maunga contesting four different grades. The purpose of the festival is to provide further opportunities to up-and-coming Taranaki male and female rugby players on and off the field.
Daily score updates and team lists will be available on the Taranaki Community Rugby Facebook page over the course of the festival.
Taranaki Rugby Participation Manager Ben Siffleet was looking forward to the
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Junior Festival getting underway.
“We are excited with the growth which will now see 13 teams involved this year. We cannot wait to see the tamariki showcase their ability over the weekend. All players, coaches, managers and volunteers have been working hard over the last month and it will be a great way to wrap up junior rugby in Taranaki for 2024.”
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Managing Director Daimon Stewart was excited for the 2024 edition of the tournament.
“It’s going to be another fantastic weekend of sport for the kids. It’s encouraging to see another generation come through and grow the sport, develop critical skills, and work together. These are lifelong skills that our community needs and it’s great we can help support that. We’re stoked to be the major sponsor of the Ross Brown and Kendra Cocksedge events and we want to wish all the players and their families a fantastic festival. ”
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway has proudly supported the Ross Brown Tournament since 2020 and the Kendra Cocksedge Tournament since 2022.
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway provides accounting, payroll, human resources, IT, marketing, insolvency, audit and taxation services across their Powderham Street, New Plymouth and Miranda Street, Stratford offices.
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Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Ross Brown Tournament
- The Ross Brown Shield was first played for in 1976 and is contested by Year 7 and 8 pupils who represent North, West, Central and West zones.
- The tournament is named after Ross Brown who played 144 matches for the Amber & Blacks as well as being capped 25 times for the All Blacks.
- West were the 2023 Ross Brown Shield champions.
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Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Kendra Cocksedge Tournament
- This year is the fourth year that the Kendra Cocksedge Tournament has been played for. Three zones are represented in the competition which is a great chance for under 16 girls from around Taranaki to develop their skills and grow the game.
- The tournament is named after our very own Black Fern superstar Kendra Cocksedge. Kendra was born in Taranaki, played her junior rugby for Coastal before representing canterbury (100 caps) and New Zealand Black Ferns (68 caps).
- Central were the 2023 Kendra Cocksedge Tournament champions.
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Conrad Smith Tournament
- This is the second year of the Conrad Smith Tournament, previously known as the Under 55kg grade. The TRFU have expanded to four zones in 2024, this is a great chance to have more kids involved with the junior festival weekend and helps grow rugby in Taranaki.
- Conrad Smith is a great local legend, Conrad had over 100 caps for the Hurricanes and 94 appearances for the All Blacks.
- North were the 2023 Conrad Smith Tournament champions.
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Michaela Blyde Tournament
- The is the second year of the Michaela Blyde Tournament. It was introduced for girls around Taranaki to showcase their skills and ability. This tournament is for Under 13 girls around the province.
- The tournament is named after Black Ferns Sevens legend Michaela Blyde. Michaela grew up in Taranaki and has since won two Olympic gold medals with the Black Ferns Sevens and represented them over 100 times.
- South were the 2023 Michaela Blyde Tournament champions.
Photo Caption: (L) The Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Ross Brown West team pose for a photo after winning the 2023 edition of the prestigious tournament. (R) The Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Kendra Cocksedge Central team after their successful 2023 tournament.
