NZ Rugby
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Rugby Club of the Year Nomination Form

With over 470 rugby clubs across all corners of New Zealand, we know that many of these clubs serve their communities far beyond rugby. We've created an award that recognises a rugby club that has achieved significant outcomes for their members, local community or Provincial Union in the current year. 

Nominees for this award will have demonstrated some or all of the following: 

Criteria

  • A community rugby club which has achieved significant outcome/s in the current year for its members, Provincial Union and/or community. 
  • Community rugby club focus areas include, but are not limited to community rugby participation, women and girls’ rugby, participant safety and wellbeing, governance leadership, culture, diversity and inclusion, volunteer recruitment and retainment, facility development, and other community services and programmes. 
  • Are an active and important contributor to their local Provincial Union. 
  • Are a role model for other organisations within their local community and the wider New Zealand rugby community. 

NB: This is a difficult category to award, and it is recognised that the judging panel can only judge based on the information they receive in the nomination. 

Process 

  • Nominations are open until 23 October. 
  • The top six nominations as judged by NZR to be presented to the judging panel for their consideration. 
  • The judging panel determines the top three nominees and winner.  
  • The top three nominees will be announced late November.
  • The winner is announced during the New Zealand Rugby Awards 2026 in December.