The Rolleston College student is one of four Canterbury players selected in the New Zealand Schools squad to play the Barbarians on September 23 and two matches against Australia the following week.
Christchurch Boys’ High players Jake Frost, Manumaua Letiu and Marshall Blakely have also been named in the 26-strong squad.
It has been an overwhelming year for Kempton, the Selwyn Schools captain, who achieved his goal of making the squad after his father Dave was tragically killed in April.
Dave died outside a Blenheim BP station in what is being investigated as a workplace incident. Kempton, 17, said his dad was the reason he started playing rugby in Invercargill when he was 3.
“I know he would be proud.
“Dad was always a big rugby fella. He was the kind of guy who was down at the clubrooms from nine o’clock.
“(Dad) was never really a coach, more of a bloke that stood on the sidelines,” Kempton said.
“But he was a big mentor for me, and has definitely helped me get to where I am now.”
Kempton’s mum Nichola and sister Olivia are also heavily involved in the sport. Nichola was the Selwyn Schools manager this year, while Olivia managed the Lincoln-Rolleston combined team.
Said Kempton: “(Rugby’s) always been a part of the family. I think mum cried after I got the call.”
The hooker is the first Rolleston College student to be selected in the NZ Schools side. He is also believed to be the second Selwyn Schools player to make the team after Crusaders back Wil Gualter was selected in 2019.
“Next season a focus will be on making Canterbury under-19s and Crusaders under-20s,” he said.
“In three to five years, I’d love to make my NPC debut at whatever province takes me, then Super Rugby and every Kiwi’s big dream of one day playing for the All Blacks.”
Kempton is hoping to play for a Christchurch premier club side next season. He made his debut in Ellesmere’s division 1 competition for Lincoln-Rolleston against Springston in July.
“I’ll be mainly focused on the academy and just work on the side,” he said.
“So if playing prems in (the city) is an option, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Although Kempton is not sure what club he will play for, it is likely he will be in demand following his standout season with Selwyn.
There were no camps or trials for the NZ Schools side, and Kempton was selected on his Miles Toyota Premiership form.
“I’m just hoping to get more knowledge of the game,” he said.
“There’s always things to work on in my game, so it’s just about putting my best foot forward.”
St Andrew’s College players Radford Powell and Lucas Te Rangi have also been selected in the New Zealand under-18 Barbarians and Māori Ngā Whatukura teams respectively.
•The full draw and squad list for all three teams can be found at www.allblacks.com/news/international-competition-returns-for-new-zealand...
