Canterbury Rugby Football League
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| Club information | |
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| Nickname(s) | Bulls |
| Founded | 1912 |
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Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand competitions. Previously teams have competed in the Bartercard Cup and Lion Red Cup. The CRL is currently part of the South Island Zone which includes the Tasman, West Coast, Otago and Southland regions.
Canterbury Rugby League owns Rugby League Park which was formerly known as the Addington Showgrounds.
Eight teams currently compete in the Pat Smith Trophy Premiership;
The winner is awarded the Smith Trophy, which dates back to 1913.
The organisation was founded on 13 July 1912 at a meeting that included William Moyle, Robert Brunsden, New Zealand representative Charlie Pearce and David McPhail, who had played with St. Helens and Wigan. A.E. Hooper was elected chairman on 17 July and would serve in that position until 1922. Henry Thacker, a Mayor and MP, was the first president of the CRL and served from 1912 until 1929. He donated the Thacker Shield in 1913.
Canterbury first played on 7 September 1912 at the Show Grounds against Wellington. Ernie Buckland scored the first rugby league try in Canterbury as Wellington prevailed 5-4. The first local club competition was held in 1913, with four clubs participating. Addington was founded on 31 January 1913, Sydenham one week later on 7 February, Linwood on 12 March and on the 14 March St. Albans was formed. The first Canterbury Rugby League Annual General Meeting was held on 31 March 1913.
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