The South Island’s rising league talents will converge on Ōamaru over the next two weekends, with both the girls and boys youth tournaments taking place.

Southern Zone Rugby League general manager Liam Turner said the 14s, 16s and 18s girls tournament will be played at Ōamaru’s Centennial Park this Sunday (July 2), with teams from Southland, Otago, Aoraki and Canterbury taking part.

The following weekend (July 8-10) is the boys’ turn, with West Coast teams part of the 14-team line-up.

It is the first time the tournaments will be held in Ōamaru, which appeals due to its central location, and facilities, Liam said.

Attending the girls’ tournament will be Kiwi Ferns’ 1995 inaugural captain, Nadene Conlon, in a new role with the New Zealand Warriors, creating a development and pathways programme for the club’s planned return to the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) Premiership in 2025.

For the boys’ tournament, Liam said scouts from NRL teams the Bulldogs and the Warriors will be there.

“It’s a pretty big tournament . . . Potentially there could be more, but that’s all we know of for now.”

From both tournaments, a South Island representative team will be selected to go to nationals in September.

Rugby league was increasing in popularity across the South Island, with good growth in numbers across all districts, Liam said.

“These tournaments have definitely grown - this is the first time we’ll have an aged girls grade at this tournament, and there are 14 teams in the boys’ tournament.”

The games are being held on the two back fields of Centennial Park, behind Whitestone Contracting Stadium, and spectators were encouraged to come and watch for free, Liam said.

“People can just pop along and support - it will be good to get the community and people behind it.”

The games will also be livestreamed on Southern Zone Rugby League Facebook page.