Otago University Rugby Football Club

24/10/2026

Our 2027 Premier Colts Management Team 🔥

The great man Joseph Forsyth is back for his third year leading our Premier Colts programme! Joey is Varsity through and through, having played for the Club during his university days before returning to Dunedin and moving into coaching. He brings plenty of experience, having worked with Otago representative teams and played a key role in developing our Colts programme over recent seasons. We’re thrilled to have him leading the charge with JL in 2027.

Joining him is John Leslie, who’s back on board and bringing plenty of knowledge from both his international playing career and coaching experience with Northland NPC. John will lead our backs, leading the team alongside Joey and George as we look to continue building a strong programme and winning culture.

And then there’s George Morris, the glue that holds it all together! A veteran of the management game, George’s involvement with Varsity stretches back to managing our A’s in the 90s. He’s the man who keeps everything organised and ticking along, allowing our coaches and players to focus on what they do best. An absolute top operator and one of the kindest men you’ll meet. We’re lucky to have him!

**Want to be part of our Premier Colts programme in 2027?**

We’re keen to hear from players working or studying in Dunedin next year.

Get in touch with:
📧 Aaron Withy – [[email protected]]
📱 Joseph Forsyth – 022 031 2020

joinvarsity2027

21/10/2026

Our 2027 Premier Men’s Management Team 📚🐛

We’re excited to welcome back Jason MacDonald, Tony Kramers, Brent Fokkens and Alex Parkes for the 2027 season.

Leading the group is Jason MacDonald, who brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience. Having played Super Rugby with both the Highlanders and Crusaders, Jason has since built an impressive coaching resume, with experience in Japan, Otago NPC and Otago representative rugby.

Joining him is Tony Kramers, who has been heavily involved in rugby across the Otago region for a number of years. From coaching at King’s High School and contributing to NZ Māori U18 camps, to most recently leading the North Otago Heartland Development team, Tony brings plenty of experience and knowledge to the group.

And then there’s the engine room behind the scenes! Brent Fokkens and Alex Parkes are two outstanding operators who play a massive role in keeping the team ticking. From managing the day-to-day details to ensuring everything runs smoothly throughout the season, their contribution is invaluable.

A great group of people bringing plenty of experience, knowledge and passion to the programme. We’re looking forward to having them all on board again as we build towards 2027.

16/10/2026

Early mornings, hard work and plenty of fuel 🤌🏋️

A big shoutout to our Dunedin based partners at Inline Nutrition for supporting our community throughout their training and recovery.

Local business. Local athletes. Local community. 👏

14/10/2026

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on the 21st of October at 5:30pm in the OURFC clubrooms.

We warmly invite all playing members, supporters, volunteers, alumni, and whānau to join us as we discuss the future direction of our amazing community..

05/10/2026

As the representative season wraps up, we’d like to acknowledge all of our 2026 players who have represented their respective provincial sides this year and those still in action 👏

It’s awesome to see our players spread across teams and provinces, continuing to represent OURFC at the highest levels.

We are proud of the people, the talent and the community we have at Varsity 🙌

17/09/2026

With the passing of our secretary, John Broughton, this week the Club has lost a valued administrator, advocate, supporter, and mentor, as well as a personal friend to many. His presence will be greatly missed.

A service for John will be held in St Paul’s Cathedral, The Octagon, at 3pm on Sunday September 20.

For the those who are able to, past and current Club members, supporters and friends of the Otago University Rugby Football Club, are gathering first in the upper Octagon before 2.30pm for John’s funeral service.

The University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka notes with great sadness the passing of Emeritus Professor John Broughton CNZM (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga) yesterday.

15/09/2026

Tēnā koutou katoa,

With great sadness the Club acknowledges the sudden passing of our secretary, Emeritus Professor John Broughton.

We are deeply saddened by his sudden passing and our thoughts and wishes are now with his whānau, friends and colleagues within the Club, the wider University and greater community. The Club owes much to John’s enthusiasm for rugby, his attention to detail and his love of history. He leaves behind a huge legacy, and he will be sorely missed by us all.

10/09/2026

WORKING OR STUDYING IN DUNEDIN IN 2027? 👀🏉

Looking for a club to call home?

📍 5-minute walk from campus
🏋️ Directly across from Unipol
🏟️ Right next to Forsyth Barr Stadium
🤝 A great club, community and pathway behind you

Whether you’re chasing high-performance rugby, looking to develop your game, or simply wanting to have a great time, OURFC has a place for you.

We have six teams competing in 2027:

🔵 Premier Men
🔵 Premier Women
🔵 Development Women
🔵 Premier 2 Men
🔵 Premier Colts (U20)
🔵 Championship Colts – Golds (U21)
🔵 Championship Colts – Whites (U21)

If you’re working or studying in Dunedin next year and interested in playing rugby with OURFC, get in touch:

📩 Aaron Withy
[email protected]

📍 20 Logan Park Drive, Dunedin

Come be part of OURFC in 2027 📚🐛

24/08/2026

It was a great night on Saturday celebrating all our individual and team achievements!

Awards

Blues
Rookie of the Year: Finley Ward
Most Improved Player: Alex Arnott
Best Back:Hadley Herman
Best Forward: Will Voice
Player of the Year: Jack Lundon

A’s
Rookie: Jonty Townsend
Most improved: Will Lawrence-Vaivai
Best back: Rico Muliaina
Best forward: Oliver Hatch
Player of the year: Mitch Tinnock

Whites
Rookie of the Year - Adam McNab
Most Improved Player - Vincent Yee Werry
Best Back - Charlie Pearson
Best Forward - Toby Corcoran
Player of the Year - Jack Lancaster

Women’s
Rookie: Emily Dale
Back of year: Orla Motley
Forward of year: Libby Carran
Most improved: Trelise Edwards
Player of the year: Orla Motley

Bees
Rookie of the Year – Mark Durando
Most Improved Player – Ryutaro Shinno
Best Forward – Charlie Mathias
Best Back – Josh Hagen
Player of the Year – Lachlin Davey

Golds
Player of the Year Zinzan Bondarenko-Leatua
Best Forward Jack Seeler
Best Back Lachlan Fisher
Most Improved Player Tom Hickey
Rookie Of The Year Russell Dunstan

Men’s Sevens player of the year - Jack Saunders
Women’s sevens player of the year - Trelise Edward’s

Trophy’s
The Coaches Trophy - Eamon Flannery
Craig Coombes Memorial Cup Hadley - Herman
Sevens Player of the Year - Men - Jack Saunders
Sevens Player of the Year - Women - Trelise Edward’s
Academy player of the year men’s - Jonty Townsend
University B Players Player of the Year - Lachlin Davey
Harry Panckhurst Trophy - Oliver Taylor
William Web Ellis Trophy - Best Running Back -Jay Reihana
P S de Q Cabot Cup - Contribution To Coaching - Jekope
Club Captains Award - Brent Fokkens
The Presidents Trophy -Jonty Townsend
Michael A Gibson Trophy - Overall Player of The Year Kieran McClea

20/08/2026

It’s the end of the line😤

No more stops left, we are here now! Time to dig deep one last time 💪