Rumble in Russell 2026 Wrap Up

Together Tai Tokerau

What a Weekend in Russell

The Rumble in Russell 2026 brought Northland together in a way that reminded everyone why sport matters.

Over two days in June, Ministers stood shoulder to shoulder with All Blacks legends, the Parly Ferns took on Russell on the netball court, and local heroes stepped up for their communities. Families lined the sidelines at Russell School and the Russell Sports Club ground, free to enjoy a full day of netball and rugby.

Every dollar raised goes straight back into grassroots clubs and the rangatahi they support, which is why this mahi really matters.

Rumble in Russell 2026 Results

Andrew Saville and a panel speaker on stage at the Game Changers Forum

Friday, the Game Changers Forum

Friday’s Game Changers Forum gathered some of New Zealand’s most influential voices under one roof at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, with Andrew Saville as MC. A leadership panel of Melodie Robinson, Ian Jones, Kirk Hope and Burton Shipley explored sport’s role in diplomacy, regional investment and protecting grassroots communities, followed by a fireside chat with Rt Hon Winston Peters.

Photography by Lex Wright

Parly Ferns netball player in action against Russell Invitational at Russell School

Saturday, the Netball

Saturday opened at 9am at Russell School with the inaugural Dame Jenny Shipley Cup, named in honour of New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister and a long-standing champion of women in sport and leadership. The Parly Ferns took on a spirited Russell Invitational side of local talent and community stalwarts, and the local team lifted the Cup.

Photography by Lex Wright

Player running with the ball during the Capital Cup match at Russell Sports Club

Saturday, the Rugby

At 2.30pm the main event saw the New Zealand Parliamentary Rugby Team face the Russell SC Invitational XV for the Capital Cup. Russell arrived as defending holders with home advantage and a proud rugby history behind them, and the locals retained the Cup in front of a packed, free to attend crowd of just under 1200.

Photography by Lex Wright

Rugby for Life

Comes to Waitematā

The weekend carried a significant announcement alongside the sport. Sir Michael Jones and Rugby for Life Chair Ajit Balasingham confirmed that Waitematā Rugby Club will be the first club in Auckland to adopt the Rugby for Life framework, with the timing landing perfectly ahead of the club’s 100th anniversary in 2027.

Te Tai Tokerau and Tokoroa have already shown what the framework can do through Education, Training and Employment programmes and hands-on support for club managers, turning clubs into hubs where tamariki, rangatahi and whole neighbourhoods thrive. Seeing that mahi take root in West Auckland is something we are genuinely excited about, so watch this space.

The Rumble in Russell 2026 Thank You Book

The Rumble in Russell 2026 Thank You Book captures the Friday forum, both matches, the Waitematā announcement and the two hundred volunteers who set up marquees, ran the gate, marshalled traffic, organised transport and kept the community kai flowing across two days.

The full roll call of sponsors, partners, players and volunteers sits alongside it. It’s a keepsake as much as a thank you, and one we hope our community looks back on for years to come.

READ THE THANK YOU BOOK

Sponsors, Partners and Volunteers

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive. When clubs, iwi, businesses, councils and volunteers align around a shared purpose, remarkable things happen. Russell proved it in June.

The Rumble in Russell simply would not happen without the generosity of our sponsors, partners and community. Support from Founding, Leadership and Community Partners covered catering, accommodation, ground preparation and transport, which allowed the public to enjoy the entire weekend completely free of charge. Russell then looked after everyone who made the trip north, from visiting teams and officials to families arriving for the day.

Behind all our sponsors and partners were two hundred volunteers. To every person who folded a chair, parked a car, poured a drink or lent a hand where it was needed, thank you. We are grateful for the legacy we are building and cannot wait to welcome everyone back in 2028.