Rugby Park in Invercargill is welcoming a new set of rules this month, with the rugby union stronghold hosting Southland Rugby League’s summer competitions for the first time.

More than 30 teams have been taking part in the six-week junior and youth rugby league competitions, which kicked off in February.

Southland Rugby League Development Officer Dominic Vercoe said it was the first time the competitions had been held at Rugby Park, and it was exciting to bring the game into a larger, more central venue.

“It’s a nice change to have the competition here and it helps give the sport more visibility,” he said.

“League has been steadily growing in popularity in Invercargill and Southland, and there’s a passionate community behind it. “Some of our younger players are trying out new skills and playing in stadium conditions for the first time, which is a big highlight for them.”

The summer rugby league competitions were separate from the regular winter season, and were designed to give players more opportunities for skill development, Vercoe said.

“The extra game time helps keep people active and gives players more experience before the winter season starts,” he said. “The warmer weather is a benefit, too. It’s more enjoyable for both players and spectators.”

Invercargill City Council Manager Venues and Events Jason Wade said it was great to see Rugby Park utilised for a wider variety of activities. “Our teams have done an amazing job in the last couple of years at building up the resilience of the turf,” he said.

“They’ve put a lot of work into improving drainage and promoting root growth, which allows a wider range of events to take place on the field without causing damage.”

He said welcoming rugby league to the field was the start of a new chapter for the venue, as Council prepared to investigate the stadium’s future.

Council’s Community and Regulatory Committee recommended last month to consult on the future of Rugby Park in the Long-term Plan 2027-2037, with a public consultation period in March 2027.

“It is a valuable community asset – not just in the winter rugby season – and it has so much potential as an active, multi-purpose venue for our city,” Wade said.

“We hope to see more events taking full advantage of the space at Rugby Park across the entire year.”

The Southland Rugby League summer competition games will be held weekly at Rugby Park until Saturday 14 March.