Global Games, the organisation behind New Zealand's Junior Rugby Festival, has taken out two categories at the New Zealand Event Awards, including Sports Event of the Year and Sustainable Event Initiative of the Year, beating out established events including the ASB Classic and the New Zealand Open.
Founder Tyrone Campbell said Taupō District Council and the wider community had played a major part in the festival's growth.
"We are incredibly grateful to Taupō District Council and the wider Taupō community for welcoming our teams, and to the venues, sponsors and partners who continue to believe in our vision," Campbell said.
Speaking to Lake FM, Campbell said Taupō would host a standalone girls' festival for the first time this year, with the event having previously been held in Auckland, Christchurch and Lower Hutt.
"This year it's in Taupō. So yeah, that's really exciting," Campbell said.
The girls' festival began as an activation during the Rugby World Cup, when Global Games ran an event in Auckland and was given tickets for girls to attend.
Campbell said families visiting Taupō for the festival typically spend time in the wider region outside of playing hours.
"It's a place where families really enjoy coming," Campbell said. "When you're not playing sport, it's about getting out in the community and taking in everything that's so special about the Taupō region."
