Born and bred in South Canterbury, Robert van Royen is a Christchurch-based sports reporter.

Having studied a Diploma in Journalism in Dunedin in 2013, he started at the Otago Daily Times in 2014, before returning to his home province to work for Stuff in 2016. Robert is predominantly a rugby writer, covering the Crusaders and Canterbury, and regularly contributing to All Blacks coverage. A keen cricketer and runner, he also covers cricket and golf, among other sports.