“The 2025 season brings new year level grades in the secondary schools space. With 30+ teams across 5 grades locally, there is great excitement as teams return home to play in what is set to be great competition across.
We welcome TIPENE back in our 2 junior boys grades and the return of Manurewa High School and Wesley College teams. St Ignatius of Loyola College move into year 2 and our girls grade move officially to 15 a side from 12’s. The 1st XV challenge shield match will kick off the season with the game also serving as a grand-final rematch from last year.
This year, we will introduce scrum and game driver clinics, and look to implement new junior level girls 5-a-side and junior boys rugby 7s initiatives heading towards summer.
Club of origin returns with the annual senior rugby 7’s tournament at navigation homes stadium post season, moreover, all 4 grades of our under 16 and under 18 boys and girls will have their own sole development days pushing towards representative honours.
Finally, the secondary schools rugby youth council is back for a second year and welcome new members to help drive the constant positive movement in this space. With an action packed season ahead, we look forward to growing and empowering them throughout.
Pukekohe High School and Rosehill College kick off the Counties Manukau Secondary Schools season when they battle for the 1st XV Shield at Navigation Homes Stadium on Friday night.
The two sides will help launch the season with the official launch taking place in the Phil Kingsley Jones Lounge.
Wesley College hosts Manurewa High School on Saturday while Waiuku College travels to Papakura High School.
Wesley College heads to Alfriston in the opening game of the Year 11+ grade on Friday, while on Saturday Rosehill College travels to Manurewa High and Pukekohe High hosts the Tuakau College/Onewhero Area School side.
The Year 10 competition begins Saturday with three fixtures – Pukekohe High hosting the Tuakau College/Onewhero Area School side, Wesley College hosting Waiuku College and on Wednesday St Ignatius meets Tipene St Stephens in the latter’s return to play for the first time in over two decades.
Y9 will kick off the competition with the Counties Cup tournament on Saturday with their official round starting next weekend.
The Girls XV competition begins on Monday with three games. James Cook High heads to Waiuku College, Alfriston College hosts Papakura High while Wesley College and Pukekohe High meet at Wesley College.
All the best to all our teams and management involved and we look forward to seeing you around the grounds!
