In 1925 Northern Roller Mills (NRM New Zealand) supported the first ‘Roller Mills Rugby Tournament. Aside from the tournament not taking place during the war years and a brief break in the mid 90’s, NRM has been the major sponsor of the tournament for the best part of 70 years.
Celebrating the cream of under-13 primary school rugby talent from the provinces of Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Thames Valley, Waikato and the King Country, each region’s top players revel in the honour of donning their team’s representative colours for the tournament.
During the 82 year history of the tournament, Roller Mills has been the training ground of some of our best known All Blacks. Colin and Stan Meads, Wilson Whineray, Mac Herewini, Don Clarke, Bryan Williams, Walter Little, Craig Innes, Grant Fox, Matthew Ridge and Waka Nathan to name a few.
All Black greats all start their careers somewhere, likely on frosty Saturday mornings up and down the country. It is testimony to the importance of junior rugby, and tournaments such as Roller Mills to continue to develop our All Blacks of the future.
Tradition runs deep in Roller Mills culture with many Roller Mills-playing fathers now watching and reminiscing as their sons take to the fields. The victors of the tournament are celebrated in a number of ways with a selection of eight shields and trophies on offer. The spoils recognise tournament winners – The Roller Mills Shield, The Carson Cup for the team displaying the best sportsmanship on and off the field and the NRM Shield Medallion to recognise an individual’s effort and achievement to further promote interest in the Roller Mills Tournament.
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Section A |
Section B |
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Thames Valley |
Northland |
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Bay of Plenty |
Auckland West |
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Waikato |
Auckland East |
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King Country |
Counties Manukau |
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North Harbour |
