26 Oct 2017

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An upgraded Wainoni Park will soon become the training ground for some of world’s top rugby league players.

The Scottish rugby league team will use the park to train for their Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) match against New Zealand, which is being played in Christchurch on 4 November.

Wainoni Park has been upgraded.

Wainoni Park has been upgraded in preparation for Rugby League World Cup 2017.

The New Zealand team will train for that match at Linfield Park in Linwood.

One of the teams competing in the RLWC2017 Christchurch quarter-final on 18 November will also use Wainoni Park as their training ground.

Christchurch City Council Neighbourhood and Sports Parks Operations Manager Al Hardy said the playing surfaces have been re-laid at Wainoni Park in preparation for its use during the RLWC2017 tournament.

“The redevelopment of Wainoni Park was a key part of the RLWC2017 legacy programme which is aimed at allowing local communities to enjoy the improved facilities long after the tournament has ended,’’ Mr Hardy said.

“Leslie Park has also been upgraded as part of that programme but unfortunately weather delays means its playing surfaces aren’t quite ready to withstand the rigours of being used as a training ground during the tournament. Linfield Park is going to be used as the alternative training ground.’’

Mr Hardy said the ground improvements at Wainoni Park – the home ground of the Aranui Eagles rugbly league club – and at Leslie Park – the home ground of the Hornby Panthers – would benefit league players of all ages.

“It’s a great legacy for the city to have and will be a lasting reminder of the part Christchurch played in hosting RLWC2017,’’ Mr Hardy said.
Christchurch is hosting two matches during RLWC2017 – the New Zealand versus Scotland match on 4 November and a quarter-final on 18 November.

  • Scotland’s rugby league team will be training at Wainoni Park between 31 October and 3 November. There will be an opportunity for the public to watch them training on 31 October between 3 and 4pm.  The public can also watch the New Zealand team train at Linfield Park on the same day between 10.30am and 12.30pm.