Sports round up – November 2025

National Tournament round up

Trap Shooting

The 11-member trap shooting team travelled to Hamilton to compete in the North Island and National Secondary Schools’ Clay Target Championships where they had some great success. At the North Island event, Joshua Lowe (Y10) was first in the Junior Single Rise with a score of 20/20, while Lucie Hood (Y13) narrowly missed a podium finish in a shootout, placing eighth overall in Single Rise and fourth in Girls’ Points Score with 57/60. In the national championships, Marcus Ferguson (Y12) was selected for the South Island team, which was defeated by the North. Lucie Hood excelled with a 25/25 score in Girls’ Single Rise, earning second place, and was selected for both the victorious South Island team and the Fish and Game Regional Girls’ team. She also placed third in the Beretta High Gun and fourth in Girls’ Skeet. Kurt Lilly (Y12) became the national Skeet Champion with a score of 24/25, followed by 37 consecutive hits in the shootout, and helped the South Island team defeat the North. Kurt Lilly and Lucie Hood teamed up in the Skeet Team event, finishing second in New Zealand with a combined score of 45/50.

Basketball

At the National Secondary Schools’ Basketball Championships, the Senior Girls, led by sole senior player Orla Motley (Y13) rallied without some key contributors who were away due to national team commitments, to finish fifth in the country. The girls had three wins and a loss in pool play, then went down narrowly to eventual bronze medallists, Tauranga Girls’ College in the quarter-final. The team bounced back with wins over Columba College and Mount Albert Grammar School to finish fifth in New Zealand. This was the girls’ fourth consecutive top five finish and was another great achievement on top of their regional and South Island successes.

Netball

The Senior A netball team travelled to Wellington to compete in the National New Zealand Netball Tournament, facing off against the top 16 teams in the country. The opening round was challenging, with matches against two of the strongest teams, including the South Island group winners. As the tournament progressed, the games became increasingly competitive, with narrow margins of just two to four goals. Although wins were elusive, the team remained focused and gave their all in their final match, securing a well-earned victory, to finish 15th overall.

Mountain biking

Several students competed at the National Secondary Schools’ Mountain Biking Championships held in Nelson, showcasing their skills across three disciplines: downhill, cross country, and enduro. In the Junior Boys’ Downhill event, Samuel Terry and Seth Overcomer (both Y10) tackled the newly built trail, completing their runs successfully. Seth Overcomer also delivered a strong performance in the cross-country race, with rain turning much of the steep course to mud. Isaac Overcomer (Y9) finished 14th overall in the U14 Boys’ category of the endure event, comprising five timed downhill stages and untimed uphill transitions.

Cycling

At the National Secondary Schools’ Road Cycling Championships held in the Manawatū, William Pringle and William MacIntyre (both Y12) represented St Andrew’s College in the U20 Boys’ Road Race and Points Race. William Pringle delivered a strong performance in the 62km road race, finishing in the main group.

Premier Competition highlights

It was another successful season for St Andrew’s College sport in local Canterbury premier competitions, with the history-making Girls’ senior basketball and hockey teams both winning their grades, and the Senior A netball finishing third in their competition.

Hockey

The Girls’ 1st XI team made history when they claimed St Andrew’s first ever Secondary Schools’ Premier Girls’ title with a hard fought 2–1 win over St Margaret’s College. The girls dominated the first three quarters, playing with pace and confidence, and had a 2–0 lead going into the final quarter. St Margaret’s pulled a goal back with four minutes to play, but the St Andrew’s girls held strong, and showed great character to secure victory. The Boys’ 1st XI hockey team almost made it a double, losing 1–2 to the competition’s unbeaten favourites, Timaru Boys’ High School side, in another close final. Timaru had a 2–0 lead with five minutes to go, when St Andrew’s finally scored and narrowed the gap to 1–2, however, Timaru’s defence held firm.

Basketball

In front of a large crowd at Cowles Stadium, the Senior Girls’ basketball team continued their dominance in the regional competition, securing the Whelan Trophy as the top team in Canterbury for an incredible sixth successive year. They convincingly won the final 87–39 against second seeded Kaiapoi High School, stretching their lead to over 50 points during the game. Maniah Taefu (Y11) was named Finals MVP.

Netball

After going down 40–39 in a nail-biting semi-final against UC A, the Senior A netball game faced Villa Maria College A in the third-place playoff. St Andrew’s came out strong, building a nine-goal lead by half-time. Villa Maria fought back in the second half, winning both the third and fourth quarters, but St Andrew’s early dominance held firm to secure a 27–21 win and third place in the competition.

Football

The Boys’ 1st XI capped off their season in style with a commanding 3–1 victory over Lincoln High School in the Plate Final. Dominating the first half with three unanswered goals, the team showcased sharp attacking play and disciplined structure, holding onto their lead after Lincoln pulled a goal back in the second half.

Rugby

Three St Andrew’s teams made grand finals in their regular competitions. The U55kg Saltires defeated St Bede’s College 36–32 in an exciting game with six lead changes; the Junior Celtics delivered a strong defensive performance to beat Christchurch Boys’ High School 19–14; and after battling hard in heavy conditions, the Tartan XV were narrowly defeated by Christchurch Boys’ High School 5–12.

General sports round up

Adventure Racing

Abigail Scott-Douglas and Amelia Blockley (both Y12) were the top female school team at the six-hour Canterbury Adventure Race, finishing with just four minutes to spare.

In the Schools Senior Team category at the final adventure race of the year, Abigail Scott-Douglas, Iona Garrett, and Amelia Blockley (all Y12) delivered a standout performance, finishing third and claiming the title of first Female team.

AIMS Games

The St Andrew’s College Preparatory sports teams had an action-packed experience at the 2025 AIMS Games in Tauranga, joining 14,000 Years 7–8 students from 430 schools across 27 sporting codes. Outstanding performers included Chloe Chuang (Y8), who won a silver medal in rock climbing, and swimmer, Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Y8), who won bronze in the 100m butterfly. Other highlights included Year 8 student Kobe Ford’s 15th place out of 155 competitors in the cross country, Elina Wang (Y8) also claiming 15th in Girls’ tennis singles, and the Girls’ hockey team finishing eighth out of 34 schools. The Mixed hockey team was 23rd out of 54 schools, and the netball team was 90th out of 122 schools. St Andrew’s College finished second overall in the Kaitiaki Trophy awarded to the school which demonstrated ‘giving back to Tauranga’ through activities such as the beach clean-up or tree planting in the area.

Archery

Jacob Schouten (Y10) competed with the U16 New Zealand archery team at the 2025 Trans-Tasman Challenge. Jacob placed sixth overall and second in his category, earning a medal. In team matchplay, he won eight consecutive matches with a fellow Christchurch club member, including a one-arrow shoot-off. Although they lost the final match, their overall performance secured the gold medal.

Australian Tour

A group of 35 students from the Preparatory School represented St Andrew’s on the 2025 Australian Tour, performing admirably in their fixtures, demonstrating fair play, and competing in many challenging games. The basketball A and B teams both ended the tour with two wins and a loss, the football team had one win, one draw, and a loss, with the rugby team winning one match and losing two.

Basketball

Representing the Canterbury U16A team, Maniah Taefu (Y11), Hayley Stowell, Sophie Schouten (both Y10) and Maiyah Martin (Y9) won the U16 National Championship at the Foot Locker Nationals. Maniah Taefu and Maiyah Martin were named to the All-Star 5, and Maiyah was also named tournament MVP. At the Boys’ U18 Nationals, the Canterbury team, including Oliver Kirk (Y11) won the national title. The Canterbury Girls’ U18 team including Ava Jones, Nadia De Thierry (both Y12), Rosie Gaffaney and Hannah Radford (both Y11) finished in second place. Ava Jones and Rosie Gaffaney were named to the All-Star 5. Jai Curtis and Lucy Cliff (both Y11) also represented Canterbury at this event, with Zara Kleindyk, Sophia Bourke (both Y11), Holly Radford and Jack Wilkins (both Y10) participating as part of other representative teams.

At the Years 5–6 Primary Sport Canterbury Indoor Tournament, the Years 5–6 Girls’ basketball team defeated Avonhead School – Rakipaoa in their playoff match to claim third place.

Several students competed in the SAS Australasian Slam and New Zealand HoopNation basketball tournaments: Bronson Curtis (Y13), Cooper Wilkins (Y12), Jai Curtis, Sol Cavert (both Y11), Iosefo Tito, Lucas Bourke (both Y10), Conner Dellaca, Samuel Hoshek and Mia Wilkins (all Y9). Both Mia Wilkins’ and Bronson Curtis's teams won their final and Jai Curtis’s team was second.

Boxing

Sam Payton (Y9) delivered a strong performance at the Canterbury Boxing Championships to win the 2025 Canterbury Cadet Novice title by unanimous decision.

Canterbury Primary Schools Sports Association (CPSSA) Tournaments

Basketball

The Preparatory School Senior Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams delivered impressive performances at the CPSSA indoor basketball tournament, with both teams making the final. The Senior Boys’ team secured the tournament title after Austen Fraser (Y8) stepped up with a clutch shot in the final seconds of the final. The Senior Girls’ team also had a nail-biting final, losing by just two points to Kaiapoi North School.

Duathlon

A group of 30 Preparatory School students competed in the CPSSA Duathlon at Ruapuna Raceway, with Kobe Ford (Y8) the top finisher, with a 10th placing in the Year 8 Open Grade.

Football

The Preparatory School 1st XI football team played impressive football to win the CPSSA Football Winter Tournament, finishing their seven games unbeaten. After winning a tense semi-final against Lemonwood School which went to extra time, then a ‘golden goal’, St Andrew’s secured the title after beating St Martin’s School in the final, with Kobe Ford (Y8) scoring the only goal of the game.

Hockey

The Preparatory School Mixed Year 8 hockey team was unbeaten at the CPSSA Hockey Tournament before narrowly losing their semi-final match by one goal. In the playoff for third and fourth, the team defeated Marshlands School 3–1 to secure third place.

Cheerleading

Eleanor Nortje (Year 3) was part of the Empire Sapphires team which was second in the Youth Novice division and the overall Novice Section at the South Island Show Offs Cheerleading Competition.

Cricket Tours

St Andrew’s cricket teams enjoyed successful tours during the Term 3 holidays. The 1st XI went to Sydney, where they played six matches against strong opposition from local schools. The team won four of the six games. Matches were played at some outstanding facilities, including the prestigious Kings School, where Kings posted 322 and St Andrew’s responded with a valiant 314. At Cranbrook, the team chased down 225 in just 32 overs. The Year 10 Colts cricket team toured Nelson and Blenheim playing three pre-season games against Nelson College and Marlborough Boys’ College. All three games were tightly contested with narrow losses against Nelson College and a solid win against Marlborough Boys’ College.

Cycling

Three St Andrew’s cyclists took on the Southern Tour in Blenheim, achieving top 10 finishes in a 3.4km individual time trial (TT), a 1.8km hill climb, and a road race. Katalina Williams (Y9) won a fourth and two fifth placings, Alice Glover (Y9) achieved a fourth placing and two sixths, and Cooper Pringle (Y11) a sixth and a ninth placing.

In the Junior Tour of Southland, a six-stage road cycling race over three days, Katalina Williams achieved fourth place, just three seconds shy of third, despite being the only competitor in her grade who hadn’t raced the tour before. She secured second place in the final criterium.

Duathlon

Six St Andrew’s athletes competed in individual and team events at the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Duathlon. Sophie Lampe (Y11) won the U16 Girls’ competition by over two minutes. Ashton Harris (Y9) was seventh in a strong U14 Boys’ field. In the relay, Penny Scarlett and Katalina Williams (both Y9) won the U14 Girls’ race, closely followed in second place by Phoebe Westaway and Alice Glover (both Y9).

Equestrian

Georgia Lewis (Y12) was a member of the New Zealand Pony Club team at the International Mounted Games Exchange at the UK Pony Club Championships, which involved 3500 riders competing over nine days. New Zealand came third overall against stiff competition from Great Britain and Australia. Georgia also competed in the NZ Love Racing Pony Scurry at Riccarton Racecourse. After winning the race on her pony, Teddy, she qualified for the national final in Otaki, where she placed fourth. Georgia also participated in trials to represent New Zealand at the International Mounted Games World Team Championships, which will be held in France in August 2026. She placed fourth in the squad selection, and will train over the Christmas holidays, with the final team of five riders to be announced in January.

Flag Football

Adam Beaman, Toby Park, William Ballin (all Y12) represented the New Zealand U18 flag football team at the Junior International Flag Football World Cup in Los Angeles, where Alexander Ballin (Y11) was a member of the New Zealand U15 team. In the quarter-final, the U18 team lost 28–32 to last year’s World Champions, Mexico, missing out on a semi-final against the eventual winners, USA. The play-off for fifth and sixth against Australia was a highlight of the tournament, with New Zealand coming out victorious with a 47–7 win, to finish fifth in the world.

Adam Beaman (Y12) made his debut in the Canterbury Men’s Flag Football team, with a 3–0 win against the Otago Men’s team.

The Preparatory School flag football team delivered a strong performance at the NFL Flag Canterbury Regional Tournament, finishing runners-up after a hard-fought final against Waihi School. At nationals, the team fought hard against much stronger and bigger teams to finish sixth.

Futsal

Rosalie Lunam (Y10) was selected for the Canterbury United 19s Pride futsal team to play at the 2025 NZF National Youth Futsal Championships.

Golf

Yuhan (Uny) Shao (Y11), Ethan Lam (Y12) and James Walker (Y13) were selected to represent Canterbury in an interprovincial golf competition.

Ethan Lam won the Pegasus Open at Pegasus Golf Club.

Gymnastics

Andre Hall (Y9) was named in the New Zealand Men’s artistic gymnastics team for a training tour in Australia at the end of November and was selected to represent Canterbury at the national competition. Andre won several national qualifying events during the year, including the Central Championships in Wellington, the Canterbury Championships, and the Level 7 competition at the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Competition. Andre also received an award for the highest execution score on an apparatus at the Canterbury Championships.

ChlöeAnn Botha (Y7) achieved national qualifying scores on both days at the Canterbury Senior Artistic Gymnastics Championships. She was selected to represent Canterbury at the XP New Zealand Gymnastics Championships.

Kalisa Zhang (Y10) was named Canterbury Champion at the 2025 Rhythmic Gymnastics Canterbury Championships, after achieving first placings in ribbon and clubs, and seconds in ball and hoop.

Hockey

Annabelle Barker, Olivia Ratcliffe (both Y12), Kate Simcock and Sophia Voice (both Y13) were members of the Canterbury U18 Girls’ hockey team which was unbeaten at the National U18 Women’s Championship, claiming the national title with a 2–0 win over Hawke’s Bay in the final.

ISSA Winter Tournament

Preparatory School students delivered impressive performances across multiple sports at the ISSA Winter Tournament. The Years 7–8 Mixed hockey team and the Years 7–8 football team both finished the tournament unbeaten to finish first. The Years 5–6 netball and Years 5–6 football teams secured second place, with the Mixed hockey team finishing third.

Kart Racing

Zongze (Aaron) Li (Y7) was first in the VMR category at the 2025 KartSport New Zealand National Schools Championship in the Bay of Plenty, representing St Andrew’s.

Marathon

Theodore Nortje (Year 5) competed in the 4 Paws Marathon and was third overall in the kids dash 2.5km race.

Mountain Biking

Benji McBride and Montgomery Fox (both Y7) were third out of 112 teams in the 5KM Huxster Mountain Biking Relay Race.

Netball

Charlotte Galvan, Hannah Papali'i Taimalelagi Malietoa, and Carley McNee (all Y12) were selected for the Mainland Advanced Netball Camp.

Refereeing

Alexander Black (Y13) was re-appointed as a referee to the New Zealand Dettol National League Championship, New Zealand’s premier domestic football competition. Alexander also refereed at the Christchurch International Cup, a premier youth football tournament, including the final, and refereed 12 games at the football Boys’ Jim Wishart Tournament during Winter Tournament Week.

Rugby

Hadassah Timo (Y12) was selected for the New Zealand U18 North Rugby Squad.

1st XV rugby players Christian Tanuvasa (Y13), Caleb Collins-Polata, Seymour Stowers-Smith and Jett Timbrell (all Y12), were selected for the Crusaders Knights Camp.

The following players were selected for representative rugby teams:

• Metro U16: George Lewis, Jairo Senio, Zachary Hoshek (all Y11), Oliver Jackways, Otis Wheeler (both Y12);

• Metro Black U16: Harvey Croft, Matthew Wilcox (both Y12), Sam Wilton, Samuel Hardy (both Y11);

• Red U18: Poppy Reynolds (Y12),

• Orla Motley (Y13);

• Black U18: Hannah Papali'i Taimalelagi Malietoa, Hadassah Timo (both Y12), Elisa Taulava (Y9);

• Ellesmere U16: Kupa Rule (Y12);

• Ellesmere U18: Charlie Tanner (Y12).

The wāhine rugby sevens team was third at the Condor Qualifiers regional Canterbury competition.

Rugby – Multi-code Representation

Metua Cranwell (Y12) was selected for the U18 Black Canterbury rugby team, the U18 Canterbury rugby league team, and the New Zealand Māori U17 rugby league team for the Pacific Youth Cup Tournament.

Ski Sport

St Andrew’s skiers achieved impressive results at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Snow Sport Championship held at Mount Hutt

• Mixed team: Oliver Connolly, Philippa Taylor (both Y11), Elliott Harper (Y9) – first;

• Boys team: Oliver Wilton (Y10), Luke Cleugh (Y11), William MacIntyre (Y12) – third;

• Oliver Connolly (Y11): seventh in the Boys competition;

• Philippa Taylor (Y11) eighth in the Girls competition;

• Mixed slopestyle team: Rory Forsythe (Y13), Oliver Wilton (Y10), Elliott Harper (Y9) – first;

• Boys slopestyle team: Lachlan Bell, Yosias Lehmann, Joshua Morrow (all Y12) – second.

St Andrew’s entered 13 skiers at the Canterbury Ski and Snowboard Championships at Mount Hutt in the Mixed and Boys’ events with some impressive results.

• Mixed team: Hugo Harris (Y12), Oliver Wilton (Y10), Philippa Taylor (Y11), Elliott Harper (Y9) – first;

• Boys team: Nick Burtscher, Luke Cleugh (both Y11), James Richardson, Henry White (both Y12) – third;

• Hugo Harris (Y12): sixth in the individual category.

A group of 33 Preparatory School students travelled to Porters Alpine Resort for the annual Independent Schools’ Ski Race with outstanding results.

• Years 1–6 Mixed team: Isabelle Turnbull (Y4), India Chima (Y5), Fletcher Adair, Isabel Ellis (both Y6) – first;

• Years 1–6 Mixed team: Olivia Han (Y4), Violet Winterbourn, Georgia Blyde, Jack Marsh (all Y5) – third;

• Years 7–8 Mixed team: George Turnbull (Y8), Lucia Patterson, Lucas Chima, Luke Russell (all Y7) – second;

• Years 7–8 Mixed team: Millicent Brown (Y8), Izzy Every, William Keir, Sophie Jacobs (all Y7) – third;

• India Chima (Y5): was the fastest Year 1–6 girl;

• Alfred Keir (Y5) was the fastest Year 1–6 boy;

• Millicent Brown (Y8) was the fastest Year 7–8 girl.

Squash

Following the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Squash Championships, George Reynolds (Y10) was named in the New Zealand Junior Secondary Schools’ squash team to compete in Australia.

George Reynolds, William Nicholls (both Y10), Jacob Bunting, Rory Forsythe and Bodie Oxenham (all Y13) were possibly the first ever St Andrew’s squash team to compete at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Squash Championships. Competing in Division 2, the team qualified for the final after a closely contested semi-final, with a narrow 2–3 loss seeing the team finish a highly creditable second overall.

Surf Lifesaving

At the Aon New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships in Auckland, Millicent McIntyre (Y10) won two national titles, becoming champion in the 50m swim with fins (defending her title), and the 100m manikin carry (30kg) with fins. She won an additional individual silver medal, and team bronze.

Swimming

Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Y8) won the overall South Island Champion title in 200m butterfly at the South Island Short Course Swimming Championships with her time being the fastest across all female age groups. Swimming in the 12–14 age group she also achieved multiple personal bests and placed in the top five in all but two of her events. Kelicia also achieved five new personal bests at the Swimming Canterbury West Coast Short Course Championships, including attaining the fastest time for a 12-year-old in New Zealand in the last year for 200m butterfly. Kelicia also represented her club and region at the prestigious New Zealand 2025 National Artistic Swimming Championships in Wellington, where she and her partner won silver in the Youth Mixed Duet category.

St Andrew’s College was represented by five swimmers at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Swimming Championships. Their unity, encouragement of others, and their commitment to giving their best earned St Andrew’s the prestigious

Altogether Better Award, which celebrates outstanding teamwork and dedication. The team also delivered strong performances across both individual and team relay events, with numerous personal bests and several top ten national finishes:

• Edward Garbutt (Y9): 200m freestyle – 8th, 100m freestyle – 9th, 50m backstroke – 9th (achieving five personal bests);

• Keira-Leigh Watt (Y9): 50m backstroke – 4th, 100m backstroke – 5th, 200m freestyle – 7th;

• Luca Graham (Y13): 200m butterfly – 7th, 200m backstroke – 8th;

• Millicent MacIntyre (Y10): achieved four personal bests from five events;

• Sam McAlister (Y13): 200m breaststroke – 8th, 100m breaststroke – 10th (achieving five personal bests);

• Team Relay: Mixed 16+ – 7th; 4×50m freestyle – 7th; 4×50m medley – 7th.

At the New Zealand National Artistic Swimming competition, Leona Smart (Y7) competed with the Canterbury Artistic Swimming team 12 and Under, which finished third.

Tennis

Tom Dawson and Zoe Kelso (both Y9), along with Marija Filipovic (Y11), qualified for the National Junior Tennis Masters 2025 in Wellington, placing them among the top eight junior players in New Zealand. Unfortunately, Marija was unwell and unable to compete. Tom placed fifth in the U14 Boys' category, and Zoe placed seventh in the U14 Girls.

Trap Shooting

At the final round of the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Trap Shooting Programme Kurt Lilly (Y12) was named Skeet Shooter of the Year, with the Skeet Pairs Team of the Year awarded to StAC 1, consisting of Ethan Higgs (Y13), Lucie Hood (Y13) and Josh Van Ash (Y12).

Triathlon

Year 11 student, Sophie Lampe delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 World Triathlon Junior Championships (ages 16–19) in Wollongong, Australia, racing against 1260 competitors in the Age-Group Sprint Distance event. Sophie finished 226th overall, 23rd among females, and 10th in the 16–19 age group. At just 15 years old, Sophie was one of the youngest competitors so finishing top 10 in the world in her age group is an incredible achievement.

Zonta Awards

St Andrew’s individuals and teams had great success at the Zonta Secondary School Sports Awards, with football and softball referee, Alexander Black (Y13) the overall winner of the Contribution by a Young Woman and a Young Man in a Position of Administrator, Umpire, Referee, Coach Or Tutor award; the Girls 1st XI hockey team being Highly Commended in the Most Outstanding Team of Young Sportswomen and Sportsmen, or Mixed Team category; and Orla Motley (Y13) winning a Highly Commended Award for Best All-round Young Sportswoman and Young Sportsman who has achieved in more than one sporting code, for her success in athletics, basketball, rugby, and touch rugby.