09-07-2025
Games, dinner to celebrate ORL centenary
David Reedy. File photo: Linda Robertson
Otago Rugby League turns 100 this year.
That is a lot of candles to blow out and they might not have any breath left after the feature event on the calendar this year.
To celebrate the milestone, the Otago Whalers will host the New Zealand Universities team on Labour Weekend and an Otago-laden Scorpions side will play the New Zealand Universities women's side.
Both matches are at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Otago Rugby League chairman Rod Bannister said there would also be a formal dinner which would provide an opportunity to acknowledge their new life members.
Long-serving coach David Reedy and rugby league historian Carey Clements were recently made life members.
"David's been involved in rugby league, not only as a player but in a coaching capacity for a long, long time," Bannister said.
"And, he is still heavily involved now ."
He has handed over the reins of the Whalers to Dallas Wade and has moved into coaching women this year.
Clements is a rugby league trainspotter.
He has lived in Wellington for the best part of two decades but his roots are in Otago and he remains an authority on Otago Rugby League.
"If there's anything you need to know about [Otago Rugby League] he is your man. He doesn't miss a beat.
"Plus he's on the board of New Zealand Universities, who's helped put together this game initially."
Bannister said the men's premier grade competition would get under way on July 19.
The women's competition was still a work in progress but four teams were confirmed for the men's competition — University, Alhambra-Union, Kia Toa and South Pacific.
All games will be played at Montecillo Park.
Bannister is hopeful another two teams will confirm their participation.
The structure of the national competition has changed.
The premiership has been abandoned in favour of a conference-based format.
The Whalers will play in the southern section alongside Canterbury, Southland, Aoraki and Wellington.
The winners will face the winner of the northern section in the grand final.
