Junior Red Devils on home turf next week

It is the longest-running interprovincial rugby tournament in New Zealand – and this year it’s coming to Blenheim.

The annual Seddon Shield under 52kg primary school rugby tournament will be played out on Lansdowne Park from July 8-12.

The tournament, conceived in 1933, is held each year on a rotational basis in one of the various district centres – Marlborough, Nelson, Golden Bay-Motueka, West Coast and Buller. Marlborough has been far and away the most successful union over the past nine decades, winning or sharing the title on 47 occasions.

Guiding the team as it endeavours to retain the shield, which has been in Marlborough hands since 2021, will be head coach Kyle Heagney, himself a former junior Red Devil in 1990. He will be assisted by Elliot Robinson, another ex-Marlborough primary school rep, and Nick Beattie.

After a trial match in mid-May the side was chosen by a group of five selectors and they have been training every Sunday since. In contrast with several other Marlborough sides, this time there are no returning players from the previous year.

However, Kyle is confident that the players’ lack of experience at the tournament will be balanced by their enthusiasm and skill levels.

“The team is looking good,” he said. “We have a number of backs playing in the forwards, as most club forwards are over 52kg, and we have a good spread from most schools, including two players from Kaikoura and two from Picton.

“We also have a new playing strip this year so the boys will be looking sharp on the field.”

The Marlborough team: Ali Ivamy, Blake Beattie, Brodie MacDonald, Buster Ford, Chayce Kahui (captain), Connor Winitana, Freddie Heagney, George Scott, Harlen Nicholson, Jairus Tikotikoca, Kahn MacDonald, Kale McMillan, Kobie Stewart-Smith, Logan Planthaber, Mason Chapman, Michael Jordan, Noah Litt, Richie McRae (vice-captain), Shaydon Streeter, Sione Ofanoa. Non-travelling reserves: Jed Griffiths, Mason O’Donnell. Management: Kyle Heagney (head coach), Elliot Robinson (assistant coach), Nick Beattie (assistant coach), Anna McRae (manager).

Marlborough’s schedule

Monday (July 8) v Golden Bay-Motueka 1.45pm

Tuesday (July 9) v West Coast 2.45pm

Wednesday (July 10) v Nelson 2.45pm

Thursday (July 11) v Buller 1.15pm

Friday (July 12) Marlborough a bye

Origins

The tournament’s origins were born in the Nelson region in 1933. A couple of teachers, Messrs Macefield and Horner, put forward their proposal for a tournament involving primary school players to the Nelson Rugby Union.

The Nelson union was keen on the concept and referred the matter to the other Seddon Shield Unions - Marlborough, Golden Bay Motueka, Buller and West Coast, who were equally enthusiastic. The idea became a reality when the New Zealand Rugby Union gave its approval, allowing the first tournament to take place in Nelson in 1934.

The Marlborough team, coached by Messrs A.V Jermyn and L.A Patchett, together with teams from the other Seddon Shield districts, met to decide the first winner, which was Buller, who also prevailed in the following year.

Since then, with three exceptions, tournaments have been held each year.

Previous tournament winners

BULLER (7) - 1934 1935 1939* 1955 1965* 1966* 1991

WEST COAST (12) - 1937* 1944 1949 1954* 1959 1962* 1965* 1966* 1975 1982 1986* 2000*

MARLBOROUGH (47) - 1936 1937* 1939 1940 1941 1943 1946 1948 1950 1951 1952 1953 1956 1957 1967 1968 1969 1971 1973 1975* 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1983 1984 1985 1987 1988* 1990 1992 1993* 1996 1997 1998 2001 2003 2005 2010 2016* 2018 2019 2021* 2022 2023

GOLDEN BAY-MOTUEKA (7) - 1958 1968* 2007 2009 2011 2012 2017*

NELSON (29) - 1945 1947 1960 1961 1962* 1963 1964 1968* 1970 1972 1974 1986*1988* 1989 1993* 1994 1995 1999 2000* 2002 2004 2006 2008 2013 2014 2015 2016* 2017 2021*

There were no tournaments in 1938 (epidemic) and 1942 (petrol restrictions) 2020 (Covid)

* Denotes winning shared