2020 CMK Taranaki premier club rugby draw released

Spotswood United player Warwick Lahmert won 2019 club player of the year.

Defending champions Spotswood United will be at home in the first week of next year's
CMK Taranaki premier club rugby draw, which has been released by Taranaki Rugby.

Spotswood United, who won the premier division for the first time after beating Coastal at
Yarrow Stadium in July, will host Stratford/Eltham at the same venue when the competition begins on 28 March 2020.

Taranaki Community Rugby Manager Cole Brown says he is looking forward to next year's
competition which seems to always produce quality rugby in the community.

"It's proved to be a very tight competition that anyone can win, evident in finals over the
last few years. What's also important is that a number of our Yarrows Taranaki Bulls players are playing in club rugby raising the standard for everyone and producing great rugby. There are also players who are striving for higher honours."

Cole also credited club volunteers for their hard work during the year, especially when
formulating the draw.

"Rugby couldn't happen without these volunteers. That's from administrators, people
making the clubs operate, field markers and referees. They make rugby happen across the country and we couldn't do it without them," he says.

The repeat of the final will be held in week seven of the first round when Coastal travel to
Yarrow Stadium to play Spotswood United.

Semi-final repeats between Spotswood United and Tukapa, which will double as Dan
O'Brien Day, and New Plymouth Old Boys and Coastal will be played in the second and third weeks of the competition respectively.

The cross-town rivalry between Tukapa and New Plymouth Old Boys will come as early as
the first week at Sanders Park.

Cole said having the rivalry early in the competition will build hype and engage the
community from the 'get go'. Old Boys will then host the match in the second round on
Saturday 16 May at Vogeltown Park.

Outside of these matches, Cole said that there are plenty of other club rivalries
throughout Taranaki.

"For me other highlights include the Crowley Cup matches in the Division 2 grade and Dean Cup games at the end of the year. There is plenty of rugby in 2020 for our communities to enjoy."

Some clubs have already announced their new coaching groups for next season as the
preparation begins, he says.

A total of 14 regular season rounds will be played with eight teams competing for the
silverware in the premier competition.

The Division 1 and Colts draws will mirror the premier competition. Semi-finals will be held on Saturday 4 July with club finals day to be played on Saturday 11 July at Inglewood's TET Stadium.

The Division 2 and women's draws will be announced in due course.

CMK Chartered Accountants have re-committed as the major sponsor of Taranaki club rugby, continuing their five-year relationship with the Union.

Company Principle John Dazley said the company is proud to extend their sponsorship
which, not only includes club rugby, but also the Taranaki U19 and sevens sides.

"It is great to see so many local players progress from the local club competition and onto
the Under 19 and Sevens side.

"Hopefully the club competition can once again produce a close contest where everyone
can beat each other on their day," he says.

John encouraged the community to travel around the province to watch the games
whether it be the ladies, senior thirds, colts or seniors.

"We look forward to getting to all the clubs and watching some good footy."

The full draw can be found at: www.trfu.co.nz/COMMUNITY-1/CMK-CLUB-RUGBY/FIXTURES-AND-RESULTS