New Zealand is set to start a new round of competitive sports stacking competitions in the New Year, with organisers saying they will only be able to run three events a year and will only accept applicants from the country’s most competitive sporting clubs.
The sports stacking competition is being hosted by the Rugby League Club of New Zealand (RLNZ) and aims to provide a chance for the country to showcase its talent and develop some of its most promising young athletes.
Auckland-based RLNZ said the aim was to foster the development of New Zealander athletes through an international competition.
The RLNZ has already had a number of high-profile international sporting teams in the last few years including the New Zealand Warriors, the Auckland Nines and the Wellington Phoenix, with the New York City Bulls and Australian Rugby League’s Canterbury Bulldogs also vying for a spot.
In a press release on Sunday, RLNZ CEO Richard Barlow said the RLNZ would only accept athletes from the five most competitive sports clubs in New Zealand, but they would be able select and field the teams from other regions.
“The competition is not about competition or popularity,” Mr Barlow wrote in the release.
Auckland University rugby coach James Maitland told the NZ Herald he would welcome any competition, but wanted to see the competitions run by the RLZ instead of the local Rugby League clubs.
“[They should] be more focused on the kids coming into our sport and getting a fair shot at being able to compete against our boys in our sport,” Mr Maitlands said.
It is understood the RLnz is currently working on securing sponsorship and is hoping to secure an agreement with the countrys most popular sporting club to run the events, with an option to run them in the future.
Mr Barlow also told the New Straits Times he would like to see New Zealand’s top junior and club rugby players compete in a stacked competition.
“I’d love to see young players in our game being given the opportunity to compete,” Mr Parry said.
