Pupils show off sporting prowess, make history

The Columba badminton team won the New Zealand division 2 tournament to be undefeated this year after winning the South Island tournament in Dunedin earlier this term. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Otago secondary schools rose to the top during winter tournament week. Pupils pulled on their school colours and competed with pride in their chosen sports. The week features nearly 40,000 pupils, coaches and managers taking part in more than 40 tournaments around New Zealand. Otago schools often perform well at national and South Island tournaments, and this year was no exception. Here is a snapshot of some of the leading results from Otago schools.

BAYFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Squash

Tournament: Otago secondary schools championship (Dunedin)

Result: 2nd in A grade

BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE

Rugby

Tournament: South Island junior (Alexandra)

Result: 2nd in division two

Captain’s words: "Tournament was awesome. The refs were great, good coaches and the boys all got along really well as a team. The lows were losing the final and a broken jaw for one of our players. Jake Lindale being named in the tournament team was a high for the whole team." — Tom Blair

COLUMBA COLLEGE

Netball

Tournament: SISS netball (Invercargill)

Result: 1st in A grade

Special story: First time in history being in the final of A grade and qualifying for the NZSS tournament in October school holidays. Columba also claimed the trophy for highest points scored in A grade, and four year 13 players were named in the Talent ID squad (Brenna Lyons, Emilie Nicholson, Millie Scott and Holly McRae).

Football

Tournament: Lotto Sportswear (Timaru)

Result: 1st

Special story: After many years of being defeated in the final, 2023 was Columba’s year. Zara and Lexi Pratley created a magic sister act, both scoring a double in the final.

Badminton

Tournament: NZ div 2

Result: 1st

Special story: Undefeated this year after winning South Island tournament in Dunedin earlier this term. Year 13 pupil Judy Zeng was awarded the overall sportsmanship prize and claimed a set 21-0.

Basketball

Tournaments: Junior premiership zone 4 and AA premiership zone 4 (both Dunedin)

Results: 3rd in junior, 5th in AA

Hockey

Tournament: Federation Cup and Marie Fry Trophy (Christchurch)

Result: 5th in Marie Fry Trophy

CROMWELL COLLEGE

Netball

Tournament: SISS netball (Invercargill)

Result: 14th in A grade

Special story: First year competing in A grade so to finish 14th was a huge achievement for this team.

Squash

Tournament: Otago secondary schools (Dunedin)

Result: 1st B grade and 1st D grade

The Dunstan basketball side finished second at the SISS premiership tournament in Nelson.

DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL

Basketball

Tournament: NZSS basketball A South Island Premiership (Nelson)

Result: 2nd

Special story: First time placing at this tournament and qualifying for nationals in Palmerston North at the end of the month. This team has been working on the goal of qualifying for nationals over the past two years.

Rugby

Tournament: SISS Rural Livestock junior rugby (Alexandra)

Results: 4th under-15 div 1

Hockey

Tournament: NZSS boys’ hockey, Johnson Cup (Nelson)

Result: 5th

JOHN MCGLASHAN COLLEGE

Football

Tournament: NZSS boys’ football, Jim Wishart (Nelson)

Result: 3rd

Ice hockey

Tournament: SISS ice hockey (Dunedin)

Result: 2nd in A grade

KAIKORAI VALLEY COLLEGE

Netball

Tournament: SISS netball (Invercargill)

Result: 4th C grade

KING’S HIGH SCHOOL

Ice hockey

Tournament: SISS ice hockey (Dunedin)

Result: 5th in B grade

Football

Tournament: South Island invitational U15 football (Dunedin)

Result: 3rd

Hockey

Tournament: NZSS boys’ hockey, Coaches Cup (Timaru)

Result: 3rd

Rugby

Tournament: SISS invitational U15 rugby

Result: 4th

LOGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Football

Tournament: NZSS boys’ football (Dunedin)

Result: 3rd

Hockey

Tournament: SISS boys’ hockey, tier 4 (Greymouth)

Result: 1st

MOUNT ASPIRING COLLEGE

Hockey

Tournament: South Island mixed hockey (Oamaru)

Result: 1st place

Special story: Second year in a row winning this tournament which is a huge effort.

Football

Tournament: NZSS boys’ Linwood football (Dunedin)

Result: 4th

OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Basketball

Tournament: NZSS basketball junior premiership zone 4 (Dunedin)

Result: 3rd in premier grade

Tournament: NZSS basketball AA premierships, zone 4 (Dunedin)

Result: 5th

Special story: Top school from Otago-Southland and qualified for NZSS basketball tournament at the end of this month.

Squash

Tournament: OSS squash tournament (Dunedin)

Result: 1st A team

The Otago Boys’ year 10 football team won the South Island invitational U15 tournament in Dunedin.

Football

Tournament: NZSS football boys Jim Wishart (Nelson)

Result: 4th

Tournament: NZSS football boys Jim Wishart (Nelson)

Result: 4th

Tournament: South Island invitational U15 football (Dunedin)

Result: 2nd

Special story: An unlucky 2nd, but an outstanding result competing against the strong Christchurch schools, their only loss of the season.

OTAGO GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Football

Tournament attended: Lotto Sportswear football (Timaru)

Result: 5th

QUEEN’S HIGH SCHOOL

Football

Tournament: NZSS football boys Jim Wishart (Nelson)

Result: 4th

Tournament: Lotto Sportswear girls tournament (Timaru)

Result: 3rd

Special story: A fantastic achievement from a young team, and the highest placing for Queen’s High School at this tournament for many years. The future looks bright for this team.

The St Hilda’s equestrian team finished third of 32 teams at the SISS equestrian championships.

ST HILDA’S COLLEGIATE

Equestrian

Tournament: SISS equestrian

Result: 3rd overall of 32 teams

Special story: For the first time in many years, St Hilda’s was able to field nine riders for this year’s event.

Basketball

Tournament: NZSS basketball junior premiership, zone 4 (Dunedin)

Results: 5th

SOUTH OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL

Squash

Tournament: OSS squash championship (Dunedin)

Result: 2nd B team

Rugby

Tournament: SISS Rural Livestock junior rugby (Alexandra)

Result: 5th in div 1

Special story: South Otago were awarded the best all-round team at this tournament, which shows the true spirit this team played with throughout the tournament.