NZRL National Secondary Schools Vodafone Warriors video Highlights Package

Interviews and highlights from the week long secondary schools rugby league tournament held in Papakura

St Thomas fall at final hurdle NZSSRL Nationals 2015

For the second time St Thomas have made the developing schools final at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League national Tournament, but like 2013 when STCC couldn't claw back Rotorua Boys High  (18-24) St Thomas have had to settle for second place, losing the final 12-18 to a tough opponent in unbeaten Wesley College who returned to the final in 2015 after their first appearance in 2014. 
The Saints showed a lot of determination and grit to race out to a 12-0 lead in the Developing Grade final against Wesley College. Much to the surprise of the big crowd the STC boys dominated in the tackle and pressured their heavily favoured opponents. Wesley fought their way back capitalising on some errors in the STC half and levelled the score at 12 all going into halftime. Ultimately the big Wesley forwards began to get on a roll and star half Wetere Pompey exploited the saints defence to score an impressive individual try which sealed the 18-12 win for Wesley college. The STCC 1st XIII can hold their heads high after a great week of football 

and a courageous display in the final . 

The future bodes well for Rugby League at the 

college with 16 players returning next year 

for the footy season with the Saints.

James Cook High School Whanau - thank you so much for being amazing hosts this week. You have made us feel at home and supported us through thick and thin. Matua Hori you are a legend! Thank you for your wise words and encouragement. A truly great man.

A massive thank you to Brian Roughan for his assistance 
and contribution up at tournament all week. 
Also to the players' families and friends who made
 the trip up to support our team during the week.

Special mention to our league brother school Aranui High School. The Haka you performed for the Saints was a massive lift for the team. Thank you so much for your support during the week.

 A massive thank you to our sponsors who helped make this trip possible through their support - Nigel Thompson Motor Car Company, Pak n Save Hornby, Ellerslie Tyre and Auto and Lucky Smythe.

Some highlights of the Tournament were STCC being a finalist in the Cultural Salute category with some rousing renditions of the college Haka, and  a motivational talk from ex-NRL player Wairangi Koopu thanks to the organisation of one of our sponsors Lucky Smythe. Wai had some great words of encouragement for the lads before their last game of pool play against Onehunga High School.

Results
pool play

vs Papakura won 52-0
vs Francis Douglas won 18-14
vs Onehunga lost 12-28

Semifinal
vs Trident College won 14-6

Final
vs wesley College lost 18-12 

Some positive feedback for our boys from Constable Seluone Seluone:

"Last week I assisted in policing the NZSSRL tournament in Papakura, Auckland.I had the pleasure of taking Klayton Tipene Waikato and Keanau Newson to a school in Otara to do a leadership talk. 

These guys were professional (excellent choice wearing full school uniform - some schools were dressed to lounge around and watch a movie, shameful and poor effort!), well spoken and engaged well with the kids.Just wanted to point out what an asset they are to the school and they represented not only themselves and the school with distinction, but Canterbury as a whole...It was refreshing for me, a youth aid officer to interact with positive, motivated and driven youth. I wish them all the best and keep up the great work at the school!

and Duane mann:

“I don’t get to see the teams from Christchurch very often and, back in the day, Aranui were strong contenders at national tournaments...St Thomas was playing on the field next to them, so I was watching both and both were quite strong. They were quite physical, especially in the forwards, and wore their opposition down.“Their halves .. had pretty smart kicking games and .. props had some nice one-on-one contacts.”

Set for Nationals!

Two more days to go before the New Zealand Secondary School Rugby League Nationals in Auckland!
 Our Team is Klayton Waikato, Tahemaka Nui, Will Bartels, Brodie Floris,  keanau Newson,  Keana Wanoa, Taani Taufa, Asoono Puni, Amani Ah Kuoi, malyche Tafili, Delane Luke, Moresby Peseta, Tyran Taugofie, TJ Taufale,  Hugo Moffett, Brodie Grieg,  Faafetai Tuu, Auckland Tuu, Enoka Mataafa, and Zinzan Martin.

We wouldn't have been able to make this trip without the generous support of  Lucky Smythe,  Pak n Save Hornby, Nigel Thompson Motors and Ellerslie Automotive and Tyres

With players from our school 1st XV, Papanui Tigers, Hornby Panthers, Halswell Hornets, Linwood Keas and the Celebration Lions hope to reaching the emerging schools final, as we did in 2013, but go one better and win it.

Our draw
Monday
Game 1 2.45pm vs Papakura HS
Tuesday
Game 2 10 am vs Francis Douglas Memorial College
Wednesday
Game 2 10 am vs Francis Douglas Memorial College
Thursday
Semi
Friday
Finals

Emerging Schools pools and draws for Nationals

Emerging schools pools and draws for New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament

monday 2.45 vs Papakura HS

Tuesday 10am vs Francis Douglas Memorial

Wednesday 11.45am vs Onehunga HS

Thursday Semifinals

Friday Finals

Trade Me Fundraiser for the NZSSRL Tourney in Auckland

As part of our fundraising for the trip to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Nationals in Auckland this September, we are selling some collectibles on Trademe, including a training Shirt and Singlet generously donated by the Cronulla Sharks and signed by Nu Brown, and a Northern Territories Indigenous All Stars Jersey generously donated by Paul Ruri.
Travel away to tournaments is always expensive, and it is a stretch for some of our boys to make it, so please bid on these items and check our listings for updates!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/rugby-league/apparel/other/auction-901535321.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/rugby-league/apparel/other/auction-901543711.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/rugby-league/apparel/other/auction-901533111.htm

Fundraising begins for NZSSRL Nationals in Auckland!

Our Boys have to raise $8,000 to reach the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby League Nationals being held in Auckland in early September. 
We are fundraising and looking for sponsors to get there but Travel away to tournaments is always expensive, and it is a stretch for some of our boys to make it, so please support us by Sponsoring us, donating online at Givealittle, bidding on one of our Trade Me auctions, or just by sharing this message on your Social Media


Givealittle is a crowdfunding site that we have a page on and is a great way to contribute and show support.

We are looking for a major jersey front sponsor, and individual sleeve sponsors ($250).
Our sponsors  will acknowledgement of your support in media such as NZ League magazine and local media, our school magazine and newsletters. Display of your logo on our website, mobile app, and facebook page. Their logo displayed at the NZSSRL Tournament, our school training camp in December and other league oriented events, such as last years anti bullying and rugby league skills clinic, run by the Cronulla Sharks and covered by Television One News.
Last year participation in this tournament was covered by Radio Sport, TV One, TV 3, Maori TV and sky TV, and is likely to be covered again this year.

We are selling some collectibles on Trademe, including Cronulla Training shirts and singlets signed by Nu Brown and a Northern Territories RL Jersey donated by Paul Ruri

Just posting this page on your social networks and sharing it with your friends will also go a long way to helping us.

Thanks for your support!

St. Thomas and Aranui HS South Island entries for NZSSRL Tournament

St Thomas of Canterbury College and Aranui High School, both schools have just been invited to the NZRL National Senior Secondary School's Rugby League Tournament in September.

In 2014 Aranui cleaned up with the awards. Awarded the best cultural team, best coach (Te) and fairest and best player in the developing grade in Cyrus. Cyrus was just one of many players to be noticed by an NRL club and is now enjoying his time with his new club North Queensland Cowboys.

St Thomas will have a good blend of youth and experience, with 14 rugby league/rugby union representative players and are looking forward to returning to the National Senior Secondary School's Rugby League Tournament, being held in Auckland.

Back in February St Thomas is Canterbury took out the inaugural Junior and Senior Secondary Schools 9s Tournaments, Aranui High School pulled it back to one piece of silverware each this season winning the South Island Tournament and Gary Clarke Trophy over the Easter break.

Saints Clean Sweep of Canterbury Secondary Schools Rugby League 9 aside!

A great start to the year, with first our Senior side winning the Canterbury Secondary Schools 9 aside, followed by our junior side sweeping all before them! The seniors struggled early, losing to a well drilled Aranui High on their home patch and then being unable to finish off Linwood college. A quick turn around, and a big effort saw victories over Papanui High and the Institute of Sport sides. The semi-final saw a rematch against Linwood and this time our team kept the foot down and destroyed them with great defence and outstanding pace. The final was a replay of our first game against Aranui. Staunch Defence and superior fitness, and the will to win saw our boys close out a tough final. Stand out players were Leicester Faingaanuku, Keanu Newson, Harry Kirk, Will Bartells, Taani Taufa,  but the whole team stood up when it counted, putting their bodies on the line. Harry, Taani and Liecester all made the tournament side.

Even more impressive were the juniors who swept all opposition before them. Player of the Tourney was Taani Taufa. Elisara Vaifale, Zinzan Martin,and Sulimoni Samasoni. We are proud as of the effort and performances put in. 

This is just a start and we need to build on this success and prepare for the 13's competitions and ultimately Nationals later in the year.