The school's head of sport, Mike Tabb, said several factors contributed to an increase in participation levels of 12% - or about 128 students - last year and an improvement in performance. Part of the reason for the boost was the purchase of football goals last year and rugby posts this year.
''It is a source of pride that much of the college's sport is being played at the school again,'' he said.
The performances of Taieri's premier rugby team - which is leading the Dunedin competition - was also a positive for the school.
''The pride and positivity around the resurgence of the Eels has fed through to the school, the sports programmes and the hearts of the community.''
Support from the community, coaches and teachers were also important parts of the picture.
''Teachers and the school go the extra mile for the students, but they have only so many hours to devote and so many of the ... sports would not have been possible without the commitment and sacrifice of families and members of our community.''
Leaderboard
Taieri College sporting highlights:
• The first XI football team has been unbeaten for more than a year.
• Netball teams have made the top three in Otago in three age categories.
• Sailors came first in Division A and third in Division B at the recent South Island championships.
• Equestrian team won the Allan Barker Interschool Trophy for the second year in a row;
Jayne Beattie selected to represent New Zealand in tetrathlon.
