BLUE MOUNTAIN COLLEGE
The dedication of our pupils did not stop at the local tournaments. Four of our remarkable athletes qualified for the SISS Athletics, a monumental achievement. They are now gearing up to represent our school at the nationals in December, a testament to their hard work and determination.
Winter Tournament Week was a highlight. This week-long extravaganza brought together teams from all over the South Island. The thrill of competing against peers from various regions added a unique flavour to the experience and our pupils enjoyed every moment.
Pupils also embarked on an adventure by participating in the Get2Go Challenge in Dunedin. The enthusiasm and excitement shown by our pupils for this event was reflected in their performance.
TRINITY CATHOLIC COLLEGE
As I reflect on another busy year of sport for our college, I can look back with a sense of pride on the number of teams Trinity have entered into the local secondary school competitions, as sports such as football, basketball and volleyball continue to grow in numbers. Trinity Catholic College sent a record number of teams away during the Winter Tournament Week in August, and we continue to be very competitive in the Catholic Quad at both senior and junior level. We are the current holders of the Co-Educational Cup played between all the co-ed schools in Dunedin, but we did not get an opportunity to defend this title in 2023 due to the tournament not being held.
Along with an increase in numbers comes an increase in the resources needed to help coach, manage, referee and drive vans, which enable all our pupils to participate and enjoy sport. Trinity would like to extend a huge thank you to our volunteer parents, coaches, staff and community members who give up their time to enable sport to happen at our college.
The cost of sport remains a challenge for all schools; heading away to tournaments, playing in local competitions, equipment costs and so on all playing their part, but despite the challenge nothing beats seeing our rangatahi out competing for their school with pride and passion — long may this continue!
OTAGO BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL
It has been a busy year for the sports department at Otago Boys’ High School, the focus on increasing participation in a wider range of sports, both socially and competitively.
Another priority in term one and term two is our annual Interschool schedule, where we compete with Timaru Boys’, Southland Boys’, Waitaki Boys’ and Christ’s College (summer) and Southland Boys’, Timaru Boys’, Christ’s College, Christchurch Boys’ and King’s (winter) in a range of sports that include both junior and senior pupils. These interschool competitions require plenty of work behind the scenes organising playing venues, officials, transport, lunches, billets, cost budgets, health and safety plans, and so on, but it is all worth it and is certainly a highlight on the calendar for the pupils and they take real pride in participating.
Fundraising is another big priority that we have pushed this year. As the costs associated with playing sport keep going up, we have seen many of our sports taking part in various fundraising activities — these activities have been successful and have enabled money to be put towards tournament costs to reduce the costs on families.
A highlight this year would have to be seeing nearly 50 boys taking part in tennis coaching midweek at the school, and the return of the tennis club, which has been taking part in the Saturday Interclub competition — the indoor tennis dome on site at the school is a very popular facility.
