UPDATE: The Wellington Redbacks are set to elevate their game as they announce plans to transition from the Oilsplus Cup to the New Holland Cup for the 2026 Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) season. This bold move comes amid a restructuring in the Central West rugby landscape, positioning the Redbacks to expand their reach and foster growth.
With the establishment of a second-grade team and a women’s squad crucial to this transition, the Redbacks are actively seeking to boost their player roster. The club currently fields approximately 47 men and 10 women, aiming for a target of 55 men and 25 women to ensure a competitive presence in the New Holland Cup.
Redbacks vice-president and 2025 coach Abe Dearmer expressed confidence in the club’s direction, stating, “If Central West is going to mix things up in the competition, we want to put ourselves in a good position to keep playing competitive football.” His excitement reflects a growing buzz in the community as they prepare for this new chapter.
The Redbacks’ plans follow a recent questionnaire distributed by the CWRU, inviting feedback on competition structure and season dynamics. The club’s commitment to expanding its competitive base comes after a season in which their single senior squad reached the Oilsplus Cup preliminary final.
Dearmer noted, “Essentially, the players wanted to put two teams in, move up to New Holland, and see what new challenges come from that.” This shift is not just about competition; it’s about revitalizing local rugby and drawing on Wellington’s rich history of producing elite players, including current NRL star Kotoni Staggs.
In a bid to generate excitement and engagement, the Redbacks will host a club season launch on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at The Grand Hotel in Wellington. This event aims to rally community support and outline goals for the upcoming season, with open invitations for players of all skill levels to join.
“There’s a lot of buzz around town,” Dearmer stated. “I’m talking to a lot of the older players from the Redbacks, and they remember a time when we had three teams.”
To enhance competitive dynamics within the CWRU, Dearmer has proposed a promotion and relegation system akin to those in Sydney suburban rugby. This system would motivate clubs to build their player numbers and strive for higher competition levels, thereby enhancing the overall quality of play.
Dearmer’s vision includes a playoff match for the bottom teams, reminiscent of playoff systems in European leagues, adding an exciting edge to the competition. “If you’re at the bottom of the league, you play the winners of the league below, and if you lose, then you’re relegated,” he explained.
As the Redbacks forge ahead with their plans, they are optimistic about the CWRU’s capacity to implement beneficial changes based on community feedback, with Dearmer voicing confidence in the region’s rugby future. “I think there’s a lot of talk around the grounds about how we keep things fresh,” he stated.
As the November launch approaches, anticipation builds for the Redbacks’ ambitious goals, with the community rallying behind a club eager to reclaim its stature in Central West rugby.
