Hornby Panthers Rugby League Club is a Christchurch rugby league club at 822 Halswell Junction Road in Islington. The website says the club has a 110-year history and has won more championships than any other club. Its men's team won the CRL Whitehead Plumbing and Gas Men's Premiership in 2024, and the club was named Club of the Year at the 2024 CRL Awards. Its women's team reached the CRL Bartercard Women's Premiership grand final that year. The home ground is Leslie Park.
The club describes itself as a community organisation, with family life built around it and a support network that goes beyond the games each weekend. The website says it has events and themed games, and welfare programmes, including an NRL pilot programme on suicide and drug awareness. Rugby league is part of Hornby's community, with players from the nursery grade up to premiers. Our pick in Islington for a rugby league club with a strong community spirit.