Key Dates in the RLN Calendar – March

It has been a busy couple of months for Rugby League in Schools. Benson Selwyn, Development Officer (Mid-Far North) has implemented the Leadership through League programme in Kaitaia College, Te Rangianiwaniwa and Abundant Life.  This culminated in the Kaitaia College classes running with a festival in 7 schools, with 11 teams at Kaitaia College in Term 1.  Benson has recently started at Okaihau College where the students will coach at Okaihau and Ohaeawai Primary Schools.

Meanwhile, down South, Joe Rau implemented Leadership Through League at Ruawai College and Alex Smits worked with Dargaville High School. The final result saw two festivals in Dargaville, one run by Ruawai College and the other with Dargaville High School. In total, 10 schools and 15 teams attended the two festivals.

In Term 2 in the Whangarei region, Aaron Thomas has been facilitating the program at Tikipunga High School, the students have grown and made some real achievements both academically and socially within their community. They have worked with Tikipunga, Whau Valley and Otangarei Primary School and coached over 250 students from these participating primary schools.

The comments from the local school leaders has been great. To the extent that they have been asked to return and try their hand at facilitating further events.

If you would like more information on the Leadership Through League programme for your school or the upcoming festivals for the rest of the year, please email Aaron Thomas – aaron@nzrl.co.nz or mobile 0211 291 254.

Congratulations to the following schools for qualifying in the Northland Champions Schools Tournament:

Dargaville Festival Year 7 -8: Dargaville Intermediate and Te Koopuru
Dargaville Festival Year 4-6: Maungatoroto, Dargaville Primary, Selwyn Park
Kaitaia Festival Year 4 – 6: Abundant Life, Kaitaia Primary
Kaitai Festival Year 7 – 8: Pompallier, Abundant Life
Whangarei Festival Year 4-6: Kamo Primary, Totara Grove
Whangarei Festival Year 7 -8: Huanui, Whangarei Int School 1

Terms 2 had Rugby League Northland hosting the annual WPSSA Year 7-8 Winter sports tournament, in which Aaron Thomas and his Leadership Through League students from Tikipunga High School facilitated the 9s League component throughout the day. Again the players all gave it their best and played hard but fair. The parental support was excellent and it was a great viewing spectacle. Huanui were the eventual winners defeating last year’s champions WIS 1 who also made the plate final against Kamo Intermediate beating them in a closely fought battle.

The Year 7-8 festival was followed a week later, by the  WPSSA Year 4-6 Winter sports tournament.  Again run by Aaron Thomas and his Leadership Through League students from Tikipunga High School.  This festival was a real success with a huge crowd attending the final between Kamo Primary and Totara Grove. Kamo made some really strong breaks and were stronger out wide. Totara grove made some solid tackles but lost in the end 2 tries to 1. In the novice division we saw Otaika defeat Hikurangi in which was an enthralling game.

Overall the festivals have received a lot of praise and positive feedback around the school and sporting communities. We have seen over 31 teams participate in these events, which utilised our Secondary School students running the events, music, signage and prize-givings. We have also received positive feedback for our field based campaigns around side-line behaviour and healthy lifestyles. We create a real entertainment package which sets us apart from other codes.