Our History

In 2009 a SPARC-commissioned report identified Rugby League as a bedrock sport in Counties Manukau and recommended the establishment of the Zone. Counties Manukau Rugby League is 1 of 7 Zones. In 2010 this became a reality, and the Zone and sport have succeeded on many levels since.

Our Region

The Zone technically stretches across three Councils, Auckland, Waikato and Hauraki District, with our most northern Club and boundary starting in Otahuhu and then down to our furthest south Club in Tuakau. South Eastern areas of Howick / Pakuranga also form part of the Counties Manukau Zone, with an estimated population of 512 130.

Our Members

We currently serve twelve clubs and 220 schools (Primary & Secondary), representing approximately 8000 registered members; this excludes the many volunteers and supporters involved in our game. We also offer the sport of Tag as an introduction to Rugby League.

Our Clubs: 

Otahuhu Leopards (Rovers), Mangere East Hawks, Manukau Magpies, Papatoetoe Panthers, Otara Scorpions, Pakuranga Jaguars, Howick Hornets, Manurewa Marlins, Papakura Sea Eagles, Pukekohe Pythons, Waiuku Toa, Tuakau Broncos

The Counties Manukau Stingrays

The Stingray has a close affinity with the local Maori of the Manukau area. It was a Taniwha in the form of a Stingray that brought the ancestor 'Hape' to the shores of Manukau from Hawaiki. The name of the Taniwha is Kaiwhare, and he is regarded as the guardian and protector of the Manukau harbour.

The Meaning of the Logo

The Stingray is designed inside a Hei Matau (fish hook), which has been turned on its side to give an impression of a wave. There's also a negative image of koru visible in the hook, which is a natural feature of many Hei Matau. The Stingray's eye also contains a kaka-beak-like pattern. Finally, the colours of Counties Manukau region are red, black and white.

Evolution of the Logo

The evolution of the Counties Manukau Rugby League Stingrays logo occurred in 2021 when there were conversations about refreshments and the modernisation of the logo. While refreshing the Stingrays logo, the significance of the logo was expressed as it represents the Counties Manukau Region and teams or players identifying as Stingrays. 

Adding the shield to our Stingrays logo was a way to encapsulate the identification of our Counties Manukau region. The shield also added an element of recognition and affiliation with the sport of rugby league. 

In creating the new Stingrays logo, we had help from Render Creative, who helped us retain the logo's original features. 

CMRL Logo

The CMRL logo displayed above represents Counties Manukau Rugby League as an organisation. The CMRL logo is the abbreviation of "Counties Manukau Rugby League" By using this logo to identify the organisation, it represents all of the other activities that we as an organisation do to help support the sport of Rugby League to grow in the Counties Manukau district.