International Club Connection Forged with Arrowtown RFC in Otago, New Zealand
Following a productive meeting between our Chairman Russell and Arrowtown RFC President Dan Eyles, we are delighted to announce plans to develop a player development and community partnership within Otago Rugby.
By teaming up with Arrowtown RFC, we aim to create a reciprocal pathway that provides stability and opportunity for our players travelling to New Zealand, while also offering future Kiwi players — perhaps even aspiring All Blacks — the chance to explore, earn, and play rugby in northern England.
We recognise that international club links are not new. In the past, we have enjoyed strong relationships with Australian clubs. However, as people move on, retire, or shift focus in life, those connections can weaken or fade. Our connection with Arrowtown is built from Blair, who returned home after his spell with us, kept in close contact and linked up with Arrowtown RFC upon his return to New Zealand. Through him, discussions began about how we could support future players from both clubs.
Recently, we celebrated registering our 300th age-grade player at M&N — a testament to our ever-growing rugby programme. Our pathway continues to strengthen, with progression opportunities into senior rugby through our Colts, U18G, and Malton Rugby Academy at Malton Sixth Form.
Despite strong age-grade numbers, like many clubs across the country, we experience a drop-off in male and female players aged 18–21. University commitments play a role, and we also see several players take gap years abroad. This new partnership helps us turn that challenge into opportunity — enabling players to experience rugby overseas while remaining connected to both Malton & Norton and Arrowtown. Much like the four lads who visited and played for Brisbane Souths through a St. Peter’s link, we want players to feel they have two rugby homes — one in Yorkshire and one in Otago.
Alongside this international development, we continue to expand our local rugby offering. No secret we are still recruiting for a Teaching Assistant role to work alongside the Sport Team at Malton School and Feathers building Malton Rugby Academy, we hope this connection will help us with the recruitment for August 26.
The right person in this role will help strengthen rugby provision within the school environment as we plan to develop an U15s team (Year 9/10), with ambitions to compete in the Continental School Cup and expand fixtures across Yorkshire although we suspect Russell may secretly be in New Zealand searching for the next Uini Atonio, this partnership is about building something far bigger, a lasting international connection that benefits players, coaches, and both communities for years to come.
