Sports round up

Late 2023*

*Please note the use of 2023 year groups.

Senior Mixed Touch – National Champions

The highlight of the end of 2023 was the Mixed touch team being crowned the 2023 Bunnings New Zealand Secondary Schools’ National Touch Champions at the competition held in Rotorua in December. In a challenging field of 41 teams, St Andrew’s secured the prestigious title undefeated through intense pool play and a thrilling quarter-final triumph against Mount Albert Grammar School. The players exhibited exceptional skills to overcome last year’s champions, Rolleston College, in the semi-final by a narrow margin of two points. Despite facing adversity with the untimely loss of key player, Holly Maraki (Y12), due to injury just before the final game against Manukura School, the team secured an early lead, ultimately claiming victory and the championship. Team co-captains, Macklan Robertson (Y12) and Sienna Stowers-Smith (Y13), were recognised as MVPs for the tournament. The College last took out this title in 2012 with the then Year 13 student, Richie Mo’unga (OC 2012), on the team.

Athletics

CPSSA Athletics Championships

A group of 13 students from the Preparatory School qualified to represent our zone at the CPSSA Athletics Championships. After a fantastic display of teamwork, smooth transitions, and excellent running, the Girls’ Y7 relay team won the Canterbury title. Students to place in the top 10 in the Canterbury region were:

• Lucy Bailey, Isla Marshall, Alice Glover, Tayla Ford (all Y7): first Girls 4×100m Y7 relay;

• Edward Park (Y7): sixth 60m sprint;

• Oliver Julius (Y8): ninth 1200m;

• Kobe Ford (Y6); ninth 1000m;

• Alice Glover (Y7): ninth 100m sprint.

National Track and Field Championships

The National Track and Field Championships were held in Christchurch, making the event’s 50th anniversary back in the place where it all started. Weather for the weekend was mainly fine but windy, however, heavy rain on the Sunday morning affected events.

St Andrew’s athletes performed well winning four medals (one gold, two silver and one bronze).

Jonah Cropp (Y13) was the standout performer defending his 3000m walk title. His event was on during the rain so conditions weren’t good to go after the event record which he had just fallen short of the year before. Following the meeting, Jonah was named in the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ team.

Sophie Lampe (Y9) had a part to play in both silver medals, winning an individual silver in the Year 9 Girls’ 3km road race and was a member of the Junior mixed 4×400 relay team along with Oliver Jackways, Kupa Rule and Abigail Scott-Douglas (all Y10), which also picked up silver.

Miah Taylor (Y12) finished third in the Senior Girls’ pole vault with a height of 2.90m to win her first national schools’ medal.

Other athletes to place in the top 10 were Kupa Rule (Y10) who was eighth in the Junior Boys’ 1500m, Beau Robertson (Y10) who was ninth in the Junior Boys’ long jump, Daisy Thake (Y10) who was ninth in the Junior Girls’ javelin although was the eighth placed New Zealand athlete, and Abigail Scott Douglas (Y10) who was ninth in the Junior Girls’ steeplechase.

Basketball

Lauren Whittaker (Y13) was named in the Tall Ferns (the New Zealand national basketball team) extended squad in the lead-up to the FIBA Qualifying and the 2024 Olympics. New Zealand basketball podcast ‘Shooting the Breeze’ named Lauren as their pick for the best current player in her age group in New Zealand.

At the 3×3 Basketball Cup, Kavanah Lene, Lauren Whittaker (both Y13) and the Mainland Pouākai team won bronze medals.

Maniah Taefu and Makenzie Disher (both Y9) were selected for the HoopNation U16 Girls X-posure Tour team. Rafferty and Ophelia Powell (both Y12) were selected for the U18 X-posure Tour team. The tour allows athletes to play in the world’s biggest youth basketball event hosted in Melbourne.

Climbing

Spencer Menzies (Y11) achieved several climbing successes in 2023, finishing sixth at the National Open Bouldering Championships; being selected to represent Climbing New Zealand Oceania to compete in Melbourne in late 2023 and winning third place in his age group at the National Youth Bouldering Championships.

Cricket

The following players made a representative team:

• Canterbury Cricket Metro U15: Zachary Hoshek and Benjamin Stewart (both Y9).

Equestrian

Gemma Lewis (Y13) riding Ruanuku R was selected for the New Zealand team for the FEI World Dressage Challenge (WDC) and was by far the youngest of the four-team members in this open competition. Gemma rode in the Intermediate I class (the highest class at the WDC) and scored 67.35 per cent, winning her class, as well as the top score for New Zealand Individual rankings on the world stage. Gemma also won the Fair Play Award for the New Zealand competition. Gemma also won Reserve Champion Level 1 at the Marlborough Dressage Championships; Champion Level 7 Reserve Champion Level 1 and Best Young Rider (U25) at the Otago Dressage Championships; and Champion Level 7 and Champion Level 1 at the South Canterbury North Otago Premier League Dressage Competition.

Georgia Lewis (Y10) was the U15 champion at the Canterbury Mounted Games Individual Championships and won two firsts and a second in dressage and show jumping at the Canterbury A&P Show.

Football

Kyra Lazor, Amelia McAllister, Shannan Delany (all Y13), Scarlett Gray and Amber de Wit (both Y11) were members of the Canterbury United Youth football team, which won the National Youth Championship for the second year in a row.

Futsal

The Girls’ futsal team claimed the Term 4 Mainland Championship title after playing five games. They were unbeaten in the tournament, winning the final game against Rangi Ruru Girls’ School 12–0.

Motorcycling

Shey Doerner-Corson (Y10) was third at the New Zealand EnduroX Championships at the Christchurch A&P Show. He placed second in the final rounds of both the South Island and New Zealand Hard Enduro Championships. Shey also won the South Island Dirt Spring a four-round series.

MotoSport

Georgia Lewis (Y10) debuted in the 1/4 midget car class at Ruapuna Speedway’s opening meet, where after good performances in three heats, she won 1/4 Midget Driver of the Night.

Netball

Holly Maraki (Y12) was selected as one of 15 players to attend the Mainland Secondary Schools’ Development Camp, a step in the selection process for the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Netball team.

Race Walking

Jonah Cropp (Y13) was named in the New Zealand team for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championship to be held in Turkey in April 2024. Jonah won the 10km event at the New Zealand Road Running Championships in September 2023, with his time in the U20 event qualifying him for the World Championships. Jonah’s long-term goal is to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 or Brisbane in 2032.

Rowing

The following students were selected to attend Rowing New Zealand development camps at Lake Ruataniwha in December 2023:

• Freddy Todhunter (Y13) – U21 development camp;

• Benjamin Ashman, Charles Butterfield, Coby Goode and Jake Burrowes (all Y12) – U19 development camp.

Rugby Sevens

The Girls’ Sevens team had a successful season, which saw them finish fourth at the South Island Sevens’ Tournament and being invited to compete in the national Condor Sevens Tournament played at Mount Maunganui in December. After three losses in pool play at the national tournament, the girls were seeded in the Plate Competition. Two wins saw them earn a place in the Plate Final, facing Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. The team eventually went down 24–36 in a tight contest. It was a performance to be very proud of and the team ended up 10th in New Zealand.

The Junior Girls’ and Junior Boys’ rugby sevens teams showcased their skills at the Canterbury Rugby Union Junior Sevens Festival. The Boys’ team emerged as grand champions after five tough games across the day. This was an excellent achievement from a motivated and committed group of players. After three convincing wins in pool play, the team beat Rangiora High School in the semi-final, and went on to beat St Thomas of Canterbury College A in a tight final 32–26. The Girls’ team also did well with many players taking part in full contact rugby for the first time. After two wins and a loss in pool play, the girls went forward to the semi-final, losing that encounter 0–29 to Christchurch Girls’ High A, the powerhouse of girls’ rugby in Christchurch.

Skeet Shooting

Kurt Lilly (Y10) was second in the C Grade 20-gauge skeet at the New Zealand Skeet Shooting National Competition, and the first-placed New Zealand Junior in the grade. Kurt was also named first reserve in the New Zealand Junior Skeet team.

Surfing

Amelie Clark (Y10) and Frank Roberts (Y12) were selected for the Canterbury surf team to represent Canterbury at the National Scholastic Surf Championships in Gisborne. The team won second place and Amelie made the final in the U14 Girls’ event.

Swimming

Rylee McBride (Y11) was selected for the Swimming Canterbury West Coast (SCWC) Gold Squad.

At the Apollo Projects Junior Festival, Yunze Li (Y6) won three 10 and Under events and was third in five events. Chloe Wang (Year 5) won a first and second placing in 12 and under.

Tennis

Canterbury Primary Schools’ Tennis Championships

At the Canterbury Primary Schools’ Tennis Championships, two Preparatory School teams took part in the Open section comprising 14 school teams. StAC 1 – Alexander Allan, Oliver Gilbert, Toby Lang, and Theo Smith (all Y8) finished second overall. StAC 2 – Billie Feaver-Banks (Y8), Frank McHarg (Y6), Mia McHarg (Y8) and Sabine Waghorn (Y7) were third overall. Frank McHarg (Y6) won the Canterbury Primary Schools’ Tennis Championships in both singles and doubles.

Canterbury Junior Tennis Championships

A group of eight Y9–10 tennis players from St Andrew’s competed at the Canterbury Junior Tennis Championships with the following top three placegetters:

• Oliver Jackways (Y10) and Jack Wheeler (Y9) were runners-up in the Y10 Boys doubles;

• Maria Filipovic (Y9) won the Y9 Girls singles;

• Marija Filipovic (Y9) and Lila Waghorn (Y10) won the Y10 Girl doubles;

• Molly Brophy and Kristina Burton (both Y9) were runners-up in the Y10 Girls doubles;

• Lila Waghorn (Y10) won the Y10 Girls singles.

South Island Primary School Tennis Championships

At the South Island Primary School Tennis Championships, Billie Feaver Banks (Y8) and Frank McHarg (Y6) were third in their singles events. Mia McHarg (Y8) was second in doubles.

Preparatory School Singles and Doubles Tennis Tournament

Frank McHarg (Y6) beat Toby Lang (Y8) to become the Preparatory School Boys’ Singles Champion, while Mia McHarg (Y8) won the Girls’ Singles title after beating Billie Feaver-Banks in the final. Toby Lang (Y8) and Frankie McHarg (Y6) won the Boys’ Doubles and Mia McHarg (Y8) and Sabine Waghorn (Y7) won the Girls’ Doubles.

Touch Rugby

The following players made Canterbury representative teams:

• Canterbury Touch U16: Otis Wheeler, Kupa Rule, Oliver Kirk, (all Y10), Zachary Hoshek, Tuari Manuel (both Y9) and Nikao Panapa (Y11);

• Canterbury U16 Boys Red: Nikao Panapa (Y11), Seymour Stowers Smith, Otis Wheeler (both Y10);

• Canterbury U16 Boys Black: Zachary Hoshek, Tuari Manuel (both Y9), Oliver Kirk, Kupa Rule (both Y10);

• Canterbury U18 Boys: Fynn Harris, Samuel Mustchin (both Y11);

• Canterbury U18 Girls: Addison Williams (Y12).

The Mixed touch team won the Wednesday Super Touch competition with a 7–3 win over Lincoln High School.

Volleyball

At the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Junior Volleyball Championships, the Junior Girls’ A team finished second in Division 1 after beating Villa Maria College A in the semi-final, but went down to tournament favourites St Margaret’s College in the final. The Junior Boys’ A team also had a successful tournament to finish in the top six. The Junior Girls’ B team finished sixth overall out of 14 teams.

At the South Island Secondary Schools’ Junior Volleyball Championships, the Junior Girls’ A team were unbeaten to reach the final. In a tight semi-final, the girls beat Columba College two sets to one, then faced Waimea College in the final. In another tense battle, Waimea come out on top in the third set 15–13. Hannah Hannah Papali’I Taimalelagi Malietoa (Y10) was named in the tournament team.

The Junior Girls’ B team qualified for Division 2 which consisted of predominantly A teams from throughout the South Island region. The team finished in 16th place. The Junior A Boys’ team narrowly missed out on top eight, finishing 14th in Division 1.

2024

Basketball

Roma Tuimaunei, Ava Jones (both Y11), Oliver Kirk, Jai Curtis, Makenzie Disher, Maniah Taefu (all Y10) were selected to trial for Basketball New Zealand U15 teams, with Ava, Maniah and Makenzie chosen for the U15 Women’s national team selection camp, and Roma and Jai selected for the U15 Men’s national team selection camp. Ophelia Powell (Y13) was selected to attend the Basketball New Zealand U17 national team selection camp.

Bronson Curtis (Y12) travelled to Australia to represent New Zealand in the 2024 Koru Tour.

Jai Curtis, Makenzie Disher, Maniah Taefu (all Y10), along with Ophelia and Rafferty Powell (both Y13) travelled to Australia to represent New Zealand HoopNation in an international tournament in Melbourne during the last week of January.

A large group of students were named in regional representative teams:

• U16: Alanna Brook, Ava Jones, Roma Tuimaunei (all Y11), Lucy Cliff, Makenzie Disher, Hannah Radford Maniah Taefu, Jai Curtis, Oliver Kirk (all Y10), Kai Sloane, Iosefo (Sefo) Tito (both Y9);

• U18: Niamh Chamberlain, Ophelia Powell, Rafferty Powell, Marcus Isitt (all Y13), Orla Motley, Logan Righton, Bronson Curtis (all Y12);

• U20: Ella Sharpe, Carter Rhodes (both Y13).

Clay Target Shooting

Kurt Lilly (Y11) competed in the New Zealand Clay Target Shooting National Championships in March, and won the Open Handicap Trophy, to be crowned national champion in this event. There were over 200 shooters of all ages taking part, including New Zealand representatives. Kurt beat all of them, including his dad, Brett Lilly (OC 1985). It is incredible the title would be taken out by a Year 11 student, given that he is against super veterans with decades of experience, shooting at the highest level. This is the highest accomplishment of any St Andrew’s trap shooter, in the College’s long history in the sport.

Climbing

Spencer Menzies (Y12) competed at the La Sportiva New Zealand Lead Climbing Championships where he finished first in the Youth A Male U18 category. He was selected for the New Zealand lead climbing team for the Australian Youth Nationals, where he will also represent New Zealand in the bouldering discipline.

Cricket

Aine Molony (Y13) was selected for the Canterbury U19 Women’s cricket team, and was then chosen to participate in the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) female New Zealand U19 cricket camp held in February.

The 1st XI Girls’ team achieved their best results in recent history at the Gillette Venus Tournament Over the three-day tournament the girls played six T20s, winning five. During pool play, a top performance came from Daisy Thake (Y11) with two half centuries. On the second day, the team qualified for the quarter-finals, however, was unable to restrict Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in their run chase. The final day of play saw the team playing off for fifth to eighth, and with two solid performances against Lincoln High School and the Forward Foundation they thoroughly deserved their final ranking of fifth in Canterbury.

Equestrian

Georgia Lewis (Y11) was selected for the U25 Canterbury teams for dressage and mounted games. Canterbury placed first in the South Island and first nationally in dressage and mounted games. Georgia also placed fourth in New Zealand individually in her age group for dressage.

Taylor Quaid (Y10) competed in the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, coming home with two titles, as well as fifth and sixth places in Pony of the Year on two different ponies. She also won The Arab of the Year, and Paced and Mannered Arab of the Year.

At the Horse of the Year Show, Georgia Lewis (Y11) won two national titles in Mounted Games, was third in the U15 pairs, and along with her team, were Reserve Champions U18 team.

St Andrew’s riders achieved the following top three placings at the Canterbury Interschools Dressage Championships:

• Lily Ellis (Y12 – captain): third place in Class 1;

• Georgia Lewis (Y11): first place in Class 2.

Football

Holly Lyon (Y11) and Scarlett Gray (Y12) were selected for the New Zealand Secondary School U16 Girls’ team, which is touring Melbourne in April.

Futsal

Scarlett Gray, Amber de Wit (both Y12), Meg Simpson (Y13) and Holly Lyon (Y11) were named in the Canterbury Senior Women’s Futsal Squad to play in the Ford Football SuperLeague.

The Senior Girls’ futsal team won the Mainland Football Futsal Regional Tournament 2024 after beating Papanui High School on a penalty shoot-out, and the Canterbury Championship, beating Christchurch Girls’ High School 5–4.

Golf

At the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Golf Championships, Zihui (Alisia) Ren (Y13) won the overall Female Best Gross with a score of 76. The St Andrew’s A team placed fourth overall.

Grass Cart Racing

Josh Silcock (Y13) won the 0–205cc Senior Class in the Canterbury Grass Kart Championships, which consisted of five rounds of racing against some very experienced drivers. Josh held a narrow one-point lead going into the last race and brought home the win. This was his first senior championship after graduating from the juniors in June 2023.

Gymnastics

Kalisa Zhang (Y9) has been selected to represent New Zealand at the 2024 Australian Gymnastics Championships. She also received the Stage 3–4 2023 Rhythmic Gymnast of the Year from the Canterbury Gymsport Trust.

Jet Ski

At the Battery Zone New Zealand Jet Sport Nationals, the following students achieved a top three placing:

• Expert/Elite, Ski Lites, and Expert/ Elite, Four Stroke: Jake Wilson (Y11) first. Jake also won the Perpetual Cup for the New Zealand Jet Sports Boating Association (NZJSBA) Number One New Zealand Jet Sports Rider of the Year.

• Junior Development 13–15 years: Thomas Parsonage (Y11) second, Danica Minson (Y9) third;

• Junior Development 10–12 years: William Parsonage (Y8) first, Alex Wilson (Y8) second.

At the Jet Ski South Island Championships, Thomas Parsonage (Y11) was second in the 13–15 years category, and William Parsonage (Y8) was first in the 10–12 age group.

Motorcycling

Shey Doerner-Corson (Y11) was third in Round 1 of the New Zealand Hard Enduro Series, in Wanaka.

Rowing

Four rowing students secured representative trials, with Charles Butterfield and Jack Pitts (both Y13) invited to attend the New Zealand U19 trials, and William Tavendale and Logan Gardner (both Y13) invited to attend the U18 South Island trials.

Surf Life Saving

Amelie Clark (Y11) was first in the board race, second in the surf race, second in the diamond, and second in the run swim run at the Canterbury Surf Life Saving Championships.

Swimming

At the Canterbury West Coast Junior Swimming Championships, Catherine Shao (Y9) won a total of 12 medals from 10 individual events (five gold and seven silver). Samuel Hu (Y9) won two bronze medals and a silver medal. Kelicia Rui En Purcell (Y7) competed in 14 events at the 54th Singapore National Age Groups Swimming Championships, achieving 12 personal bests and met the ‘Meet Time Standard’ in all events.

ISSA Swimming Sports Day

A number of students from the Preparatory School competed at the ISSA Swimming Sports Day, winning the Years 5–6 Mixed Medley and Years 7–8 Mixed Medley, as well as number of individual placings. Those to achieve first placings were:

• Yunze Li (Y7): Year 7 Girls’ 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke;

• Kaia Hartstonge (Y8): Year 8 Girls’ 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, Open 50m butterfly;

• Cong (Zilong) Chen (Y8): Open Boys’ 50m butterfly;

• Chloe Wang, Bozan Wang, Hunter Lane (all Y6), Arizona Wallace (Y5): Years 5–6 100m medley relay;

• Kaia Hartstonge, Zilong Chen (both Y8), Yunze Li (Y7), Hudson Blyde (Y8): Open 200m medley relay.

Those to finish on the podium at the Canterbury Primary Swimming Sports Championships were:

• Open Mixed 200m Medley Relay: Kaia Hartstonge (Y8), Yunze Li (Y7), Cong (Zilong) Chen and Hudson Blyde (both Y8) first;

• Years 5–6 Mixed 100m Medley Relay: Bozan Wang, Chloe Wang and Hunter Lane (all Y6), Arizona Wallace (Y5) first;

• Year 6 Boys: Bozan Wang third 50m breaststroke, first 50m freestyle;

• Year 7 Girls: Yunzi Li first 50m freestyle, third 50m backstroke, second 50m breaststroke;

• Year 7 Girls: Kelicia Purcell first 50m breaststroke;

• Year 8 Girls: Kaia Hartstonge second 50m freestyle;

• Open Boys: Cong (Zilong) Chen (Y8) first 100m backstroke.

Tennis

Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Tennis Championships

A number of Years 11–13 students competed in the Canterbury Secondary Schools’ Tennis Championships with some great results. Those to place were:

• Girls Singles: Lily McHarg (Y12) third;

• Girls Doubles: Lily McHarg and Ruby McPhail (both Y12) second;

• Year 11 Girls Singles: Lila Waghorn (Y11) first;

• Open Years 12–13 Boys Singles: Ricky Kotepong (Y12) third;

• Open Years 12–13 Boys Doubles: Ricky Kotepong (Y12) and Josh Silcock (Y13) second;

• Boys Singles: Oliver Jackways (Y11) second in Consolation round;

• Boys Doubles: Oliver Jackways and Felix Parkinson (Y13) first in Consolation round.

South Island Secondary Schools’ Tennis Championships

The Girls’ A tennis team, comprising Lily McHarg, Ruby McPhail (both Y12), Lila Waghorn (Y11), Marija Filipovic (Y10), with the debut of Billie Feaver Banks (Y9) played superb tennis to be crowned South Island champions after beating Rangi Ruru Girls’ School 6–0 and the Ashburton College team 5–1. The Senior A Boys were also well represented by Ricky Kotepong (Y12), Alvin Na, Jack Wheeler (both Y10), Josh Silcock (Y13) and another debut by a Year 9 student, George Kotepong. They beat Otago Boys’ High School and Christ’s College (A2) to get through to the final against Christ’s College A1. Unfortunately, sickness affected the team but in spite of this they played great tennis. Christ’s College won the match with St Andrew’s finishing South Island runners-up.

Umpiring

Alexander Black (Y12) umpired at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Softball Championships and was appointed as part of the umpiring team for the Division 1 Girls’ grand final.

Triathlon

Two St Andrew’s students claimed national titles at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Triathlon Championships in Wanaka, with Cohnor Walsh (Y11) winning the U16 Male category and Sophie Lampe (Y10) winning the U16 Female category. Cohnor and Sophie also won first place in their respective U16 events at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Tri and Duathlon Championships in Oamaru.

VEX Robotics

The Mischievous Fellas (William Couper, Victor Sherbourne, Owen Menzies and Flynn Blackler – all Y13) made the final of the VEX Robotics regional scrimmage but were beaten by an Ao Tawhiti/Burnside High School team. At the national finals, The Mischievous Fellas continued their good form, making the semi-finals, which they lost in a close game, 74–83. Two other St Andrew’s teams made the quarterfinals (top 16) – Totally Undefined – Oliver Cooper (Y12), Hannah Withers, Alex Manson, Luke Manson (all Y11), and Emily Morgan (Y13); and Jonathan – Matthew Bluck, Lee Patterson, and William MacIntyre (all Y11).

Volleyball

At the Mainland South Island Secondary Schools’ Volleyball Championships the Senior A Girls’ team finished second, after securing five wins in pool play, beating Christchurch Girls’ High School A in the semi-final, and losing to St Margaret’s College 1–3 in the final. The Senior A Boys’ team finished second overall in Division 2, after four wins and a loss during pool play, beating Middleton Grange School 3–0 in the semi-final, and going down to Shirley Boys’ High School in a highly entertaining final. The Senior B Girls’ team also competed in Division 2, and made it to the semi-final, where they lost to Villa Maria College A.

At the Canterbury Senior Secondary Schools’ Volleyball Championships, the Senior A Girls’ team finished second in Division 1, the Senior B Girls finished eighth in Division 1, and the Senior Boys finished seventh in Division 1.