The Patagonia Cup started in 1999 as a result of initial discussions between Mariano Arzuaga and Marcelo Zabaloy on how to provide the players of their club with an opportunity to compete against overseas teams. Later that same year with the participation of Christchurch High School Old Boys, the Patagonia Cup was held as an U19 rugby competition.

From this simple beginning, the tournament has developed and matured into one of the highlights of the national sporting calendar and is regarded by most as a tournament not to be missed.

Through the years, almost 2300 players from several countries have participated in the tournament. It’s the teams, and participants from around the world that make the tournament unique. A meeting place for the world’s youth, irrespective of religion, race or nationality, with team sports as the common denominator.

Fifteen years after those hectic days in November 1999 we tend to think that we aren’t a bit older but just grew up. During fifteen years our tournament has been the meeting point for many young boys and girls from our city with young boys and girls coming from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; one thousand and nine hundred people in all. We first started with rugby, then added women’s hockey, then softball and recently basketball.