Teams to look out for - 2019 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals part 3
This year we look at the Top 8 teams from 2018’s New Zealand Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals.
This week it’s:
Rotorua Boys and Girls High Schools
2018 NZ Ki o Rahi Secondary School Nationals - Rotorua Boys and Girls High Schools
Rotorua Girls High School is an all girls school with over 500 students of which over 70% are of Māori descent, the education review office (ero) report that “The school’s vision is in ‘Crafting Future Leaders’.” Their vision recognises and honours ‘Mana Wahine’ and ‘Mana Wairua’. The local curriculum is based on the Te Arawa ancestress, Te Aokapurangi and was developed through extensive consultation to promote and celebrate Te Arawatanga and whānau and iwi aspirations.
2018 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals - Rotorua Boys player
As with Kapa Haka, Rotorua Girls partner up with Rotorua Boys High School. Rotorua Boys are an all boys school with around 800 students of whom over 60% are of Māori descent. The education review office (ero) report that Rotorua Boys High have “A strong culture rich in Te Arawa and Ngāti Whakaue and are focussed on celebrating the success of all young men. There is a 100 year history of students aspiring to national and international success.”
This is no different in Ki o Rahi with their combined team aspiring to be National Champions, after only competing at Ki o Rahi Nationals for the past two years Rotorua Boys and Girls have already quickly made their way into the Top 8 and will be looking to break into the Top 4 for the first time in 2019 should they attend Secondary School Nationals in Hastings in April.
2018 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals - Rotorua Girls High School Shooter
Last year, Rotorua Boys & Girls started Day 1 in Pool A alongside 2017 & eventual 2018 champions Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae, Tolaga Bay Area School (UAWA), Ngā Puna o Waiorea and Te Kuiti, with Taupo-nui-a-tia College having withdrawn prior to the competition starting.
On Day 1, Rotorua Boys & Girls played and beat UAWA 11 - 10, Te Kuiti 24 - 7 as well as Waiorea. Their only loss of the day was by Ngā Tapuwae. Rotorua lost this game narrowly 13 - 19 and they will be able to take lots of pride and confidence knowing that they are able to mix it with the top teams.
2018 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals - Rotorua Boys player
Finishing Day 1 with 4 wins (including the points awarded from the default by Taupo) and 1 loss placed Rotorua Boys & Girls in 2nd position in Pool A meaning they would feature in the top 8 schools of Aotearoa for the first time.
2nd place in Pool A put them up against well supported local school Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wānanga. Horouta had a really strong tournament and unfortunately Rotorua Boys & Girls went down, however Rotorua Boys and Girls were not far from being able to beat them and no doubt their team of coaches and school leaders will be plotting out how they can go better in Hastings this April.
2018 NZ Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals - Rotorua Boys and Girls Kaitiaki
Usually the only Kura representing Rotorua, we expect to see them at 2019 Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals.
Shout out to any other Rotorua based Kura who want to get along, be awesome to have you there!
For more of these awesome images please head along to the National Ki o Rahi Secondary School 2018 page.