Dozens of clubs seek honours at Waka Ama Long Distance National Champs
More than 1000 people from 59 clubs all over the country have
gathered in Porirua
for the three- day Waka Ama Long Distance National Championships this weekend.
Hundreds of spectators are scattered across the shore of the Ngāti Toa Domain to catch a glimpse of the paddlers in the harbour.
The event attracts hundreds of spectators.
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
Waka Ama chief executive Lara Collins said the first day on Thursday was a beautiful day to kick off the competition.
"Couldn't have a nicer day out here, very little wind, pretty calm, flat conditions, great for rudders single paddling... it's also a qualifying event for Brazil so some people that are out there racing will be trying to qualify to represent Aotearoa at the world championships," Collins said.
Waka Ama chief executive Lara Collins
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
Competitors needed to have resilience, stamina and timing to go the distance of 24 kilometres.
"People are training, four, five six times a week doing 10,15, 20 kilometres a day so over 100 kilometres a week.
"Really mental fitness, aerobic fitness, being able to maintain your heart rate at a certain level for all of that time. Keep in time with the rest of your crew and make sure your brain doesn't drift off into something you're thinking about then all of a sudden you're out of time."
Ngatuire Hapi, 21, raced 16 kilometres yesterday in a single waka.
Ngatuire Hapi is giving this year's long distance world championships a miss.
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
Her first long distance national championship was back in 2018 and she has represented Aotearoa overseas in both sprint championships and long distance championships.
But she's decided to give this year's long distance world championships a miss.
"Since 2022 I've done a world's campaign every year and I love it so much but the one campaign or that one race consumes my entire year so this year I wanted to focus on doing a lot more long distance races, local ones, maybe go over to Australia.
"We went over to Sydney a few months ago and I wouldn't be able to do that if I was focusing on a world's campaign," Hapi said.
Paddlers were also feeling the loss of
one of the country's most successful paddlers, Kiwi Campbell who died last November
.
Her last time competing in the long distance championships was last year in October when she was representing her club Horouta in Gisborne.
Hapi said she felt sadness seeing Campbell's team-mates but feels her wairua going out onto the water.
"Especially our Autaikura team, she taught us all in different times but we were all taught by Kiwi at one stage so we're hoping to go out and make her proud and have her at the top of our whakaaro," Hapi said.
Meanwhile, other paddlers have the Long Distance World Championships in Brazil on their minds such as Nga Hoe Horo paddler Rob Cameron.
Nga Hoe Horo paddler Rob Cameron.
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
He has been paddling for 18 years and said the over 60s' age category was not to be underestimated.
"Well, it's more competitive than you think in our age group, the one aim is to stay in the team and not get put out by a younger man because there's a lot of range between 60 and 70 which is the age group we paddle in and you've got to stay fit to keep your seat," Cameron said.
His team is aiming to represent Aotearoa in Brazil in August and will have its qualifying six-man race today.
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
Peter Cowan, 63, has only been paddling for two years and said it was one of the best things he has ever taken up in his life.
"I think it's life changing for me in terms of my age and it gave me an opportunity to exercise, well-being, connecting with older men. We talk about our medication, we talk about our health and swap experiences so awesome for me," Cowan said.
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
His daughter Mariana Cowan came along to support him while he competes yesterday and loved how vibrant and welcoming the waka ama community is.
"Just good to see everyone out there, exercising and being active especially the different age groups and watching them finish the race has been really cool... It's been cool seeing everyone embrace the Māori culture as well.
"Dad always comes home saying he's been able to speak about his mental health and he's a lot more happier and he says he feels a lot more younger now than when he was in his twenties cause he's out there on the boat."
Nona Taute was also enjoying soaking up the atmosphere while he was not on the water.
"I love it, beautiful place, a lot of people, the vibes are good, everyone's happy to be here and happy to support all the paddlers, it's awesome. Pretty vibrant, there's good kai, the sun's out and lots to do, lots to watch and it's also good to catch up with everyone in the waka ama whānau," Taute said.
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
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Otago Daily Times
8 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Row over SI school rugby team's five 'year 14s'
By Dana Johanssen of RNZ The schoolboy rugby team that made international headlines last month over a controversial try is facing further claims of dubious tactics by rivals. RNZ has learned Marlborough Boys' College, one of the top rugby schools in the South Island, has five "year 14" students in its first XV team this season. The make-up of the team has raised concerns about the integrity of the first XV competition, known as the Miles Toyota Premiership, and wider questions about the overheated nature of schoolboy rugby. The year 14 phenomenon, whereby students return for a sixth year of high school for sporting purposes, has long been a source of contention in secondary school sport. The practice has been banned in rowing. In 2018, age eligibility for secondary school rugby changed from under-19 to under-18 as of 1 January of the competition year, which appeared to temper the environment around first XV rugby. But school sports officials say the Marlborough Boys' College example shows more needs to be done to rein in the practice. One parent claimed the Marlborough team's actions are "making a mockery" of the premier competition, which involves schools in the Crusaders' catchment area stretching from Nelson, at the top of the South Island, to Timaru. "The biggest issue I've got is not necessarily what they're doing, although I don't believe what they're doing is in the spirit of secondary school rugby. But when you have five boys coming back to play rugby, they're blocking the path of other boys who won't get the opportunity to play in the first XV and share that experience with their peers," said the parent, who asked not to be named out of concern that their children may experience backlash. "I know there's a lot of people in Blenheim who aren't particularly happy with the approach here. There'll be some that are delighted because [Marlborough] are sticking it to the big Christchurch schools and beating Nelson [College] who are their local rivals. But how they're achieving it is pretty questionable in my opinion." Tonga Taumoefolau, coach of the Marlborough Boys' College first XV, disputed claims that having five year 14s in the team had created an uneven playing field, and questioned the motives of those "calling us out". The Marlborough Boys' College team, known as the Falcons, sit second in the premiership with five wins from five outings this season, just behind Christchurch Boys' High School, which has an additional bonus point. "I think your sources are revealing a bit about their character, that's how I feel," said Taumoefolau. "Two of the year 14 boys are not in the starting line-up, so only three of those boys are starting our games and what I would call our regular mainstays. I'm really bemused we've got a bunch of schools worried about what we're doing when you consider some of the stuff that goes on in other schools. "I would suggest it might also be worth looking at how many schools have imported players from the islands in the past." Taumoefolau also claimed that having five year 14s in their line-up was not unusual in the context of the competition. He said in 2021 one rival school had nine year 14s in its first XV, while another school had six in 2023. He declined to name those schools and RNZ has been unable to verify the claims. Tony Smail, chief executive of Canterbury Rugby, which governs the competition, was unavailable for an interview, but in a statement confirmed the union was aware Marlborough Boys' College had five year 14 players registered this season. "It isn't common that there are five players in any given year at Year 14 but the key consideration for eligibility is age, not year level," he said. 'It's not a level playing field' Tim Grocott, principal of Shirley Boys' High School in Christchurch, which also features in the premiership competition, said he was shocked to learn there were five players in the Marlborough line-up. As player registration data only captures date of birth and year the player first started at the school, the number of year 14 students playing secondary schools rugby is difficult to quantify. But Grocott said having five in one team "is very, very unusual". "I haven't heard of a school who's had that number in previous years and a quick check of all of the team rosters of the premier competition… it appears that it is significantly higher than any other school," he said. Grocott said he is aware of one other school in the competition that "potentially has one or two year 14s". "What this issue has highlighted is I think there's probably a need for schools to be much more aware of what's happening and potentially push back a bit more," he said. "If we'd known earlier, perhaps the principals could have got together and said to Marlborough Boys' College, 'we don't think that's right'. It's not a level playing field. How are we going to operate in a better way that actually identifies and demonstrates the values of secondary school sport? Because I don't think having five year 14s does that." Marlborough Boys' College principal Jarrod Dunn insisted his school did not set out to stack its rugby team with year 14s to gain a competitive advantage. He said in previous years the school may have had "one or two" students return for year 14. This year was an "anomaly" with eight students returning to school because it was difficult for young people to find employment in the region. Of the eight students who started out the year, two have since left school. "We've not gone out to keep these boys at school just for rugby. That's not what we're about - we're a school, we're an academic institution. We're not a rugby club," he said. "[The students] are all in an academic programme and some of that includes through our Gateway and our Trades Academy trying to find work for those people. "At the moment, I guess because of the climate, it's a lot harder to find that work. And when you look at the age of these boys, all under 18, some of them are just not really mature enough to enter the workforce, so we'll try and find ways to keep them in school so we can try and help get them into employment when they do leave." Dunn said he understands the argument that the sixth year students could be blocking the pathway for other players to experience first XV rugby, but he did not think it was fair to deny the year 14 boys the opportunity to participate in all areas of school life. The controversial trick-shot seen around the world The school's first XV has already been in the spotlight this season after making international headlines following a try-scoring stunt in their narrow 28-26 win over neighbouring rivals Nelson College. The controversy occurred in the 33rd minute of the match when Marlborough were awarded a penalty shot in front of the posts, and the ball was placed on the kicking tee for a shot at goal. As the Nelson team huddled behind the posts, the penalty taker side-footed the ball to the left corner, which was chased down by his Falcons teammate, who dotted down in the corner. After a lengthy discussion between the referees, the try was awarded. The footage quickly went viral, with former international rugby referee Nigel Owens weighing in on the legality of the try. The incident also re-ignited another debate over the merits of broadcasting schoolboy rugby games. The match was Sky Sport's first live televised first XV match after a two-year hiatus, which was brought about in large part due to schools raising concerns about players being exposed to an unhealthy level of scrutiny. Some schools - notably those involved in Auckland's 1A competition - have elected not to allow Sky to broadcast its games due to player welfare concerns. Dunn said the furore that erupted after the school's win over Nelson has made him question whether televising secondary school sport "is the right way to go". "It's definitely had an impact on a couple of our players," he said. "There's the pressure for these boys to perform, which can be both positive and negative. The TV and the media can put these boys in the spotlight when they have a good game, but if they don't have a good game or they make a decision that the public don't agree with, then the keyboard warriors come out, and with the power of social media, it gets pretty nasty. "The person I feel the most sorry for is the referee because they're giving up their time to adjudicate the game and one decision which whether it's right or wrong, they get crucified for." Bringing the temperature down Grocott, the principal of Shirley Boys' High School, said he believes in general the temperature around schoolboy rugby in the South Island is cooling. "I think there's now a growing understanding that secondary school sport is a byproduct of being at school and getting an education, and that is our core function. We are there to educate and sport is a by-product of it, it's a fantastic by-product but we are not here to develop professional athletes," he said. "In terms of what I would call school behaviour, there's a few outliers around exploiting the rules around poaching and this year 14 issue, but in general it is improving. For those schools you have to ask what they are trying to achieve here? Are they interested in educating young people? Or are they looking to win rugby competitions and market their school on that basis? And I think where the challenge lies is finding that perspective." The furore in the South Island competition comes as School Sport NZ - the organisation that governs high school sport - is currently reviewing its eligibility rules for secondary schools events in 2026. Mike Summerell, chief executive of School Sport NZ, declined to be interviewed for this story, but said the organisation is hoping to have a draft go out to schools for final consultation in the coming days. As reported by RNZ earlier this year, School Sport NZ is weighing up a blanket year 14 ban at national secondary schools events after the issue erupted in rowing. In January, schools voted overwhelmingly in favour of a rule change for the Maadi Regatta, making students returning for their sixth year of high school ineligible to compete in the prestigious event. The move was engineered by a group of around 60 high school principals from across the country who, concerned the practice had become "a black mark" on the sport, called for a special general meeting to vote through a change to the eligibility rules for the event. The vote forced School Sport NZ to make a hasty change to its own rules, carving out a separate clause for rowing. Summerell told RNZ back in February that the "year 14 issue" is something that officials are looking at closely after receiving a number of submissions from principals pushing for the ban to be implemented across all "championship level" secondary schools events. He said widespread changes to the rules would have to be weighed up against the positive effects of sport being a vehicle to keeping young people engaged in education.


Otago Daily Times
11 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Top South Island school rugby team has five 'year 14s'
By Dana Johanssen of RNZ The schoolboy rugby team that made international headlines last month over a controversial try is facing further claims of dubious tactics by rivals. RNZ has learned Marlborough Boys' College, one of the top rugby schools in the South Island, has five "year 14" students in its first XV team this season. The make-up of the team has raised concerns about the integrity of the first XV competition, known as the Miles Toyota Premiership, and wider questions about the overheated nature of schoolboy rugby. The year 14 phenomenon, whereby students return for a sixth year of high school for sporting purposes, has long been a source of contention in secondary school sport. The practice has been banned in rowing. In 2018, age eligibility for secondary school rugby changed from under-19 to under-18 as of 1 January of the competition year, which appeared to temper the environment around first XV rugby. But school sports officials say the Marlborough Boys' College example shows more needs to be done to rein in the practice. One parent claimed the Marlborough team's actions are "making a mockery" of the premier competition, which involves schools in the Crusaders' catchment area stretching from Nelson, at the top of the South Island, to Timaru. "The biggest issue I've got is not necessarily what they're doing, although I don't believe what they're doing is in the spirit of secondary school rugby. But when you have five boys coming back to play rugby, they're blocking the path of other boys who won't get the opportunity to play in the first XV and share that experience with their peers," said the parent, who asked not to be named out of concern that their children may experience backlash. "I know there's a lot of people in Blenheim who aren't particularly happy with the approach here. There'll be some that are delighted because [Marlborough] are sticking it to the big Christchurch schools and beating Nelson [College] who are their local rivals. But how they're achieving it is pretty questionable in my opinion." Tonga Taumoefolau, coach of the Marlborough Boys' College first XV, disputed claims that having five year 14s in the team had created an uneven playing field, and questioned the motives of those "calling us out". The Marlborough Boys' College team, known as the Falcons, sit second in the premiership with five wins from five outings this season, just behind Christchurch Boys' High School, which has an additional bonus point. "I think your sources are revealing a bit about their character, that's how I feel," said Taumoefolau. "Two of the year 14 boys are not in the starting line-up, so only three of those boys are starting our games and what I would call our regular mainstays. I'm really bemused we've got a bunch of schools worried about what we're doing when you consider some of the stuff that goes on in other schools. "I would suggest it might also be worth looking at how many schools have imported players from the islands in the past." Taumoefolau also claimed that having five year 14s in their line-up was not unusual in the context of the competition. He said in 2021 one rival school had nine year 14s in its first XV, while another school had six in 2023. He declined to name those schools and RNZ has been unable to verify the claims. Tony Smail, chief executive of Canterbury Rugby, which governs the competition, was unavailable for an interview, but in a statement confirmed the union was aware Marlborough Boys' College had five year 14 players registered this season. "It isn't common that there are five players in any given year at Year 14 but the key consideration for eligibility is age, not year level," he said. 'It's not a level playing field' Tim Grocott, principal of Shirley Boys' High School in Christchurch, which also features in the premiership competition, said he was shocked to learn there were five players in the Marlborough line-up. As player registration data only captures date of birth and year the player first started at the school, the number of year 14 students playing secondary schools rugby is difficult to quantify. But Grocott said having five in one team "is very, very unusual". "I haven't heard of a school who's had that number in previous years and a quick check of all of the team rosters of the premier competition… it appears that it is significantly higher than any other school," he said. Grocott said he is aware of one other school in the competition that "potentially has one or two year 14s". "What this issue has highlighted is I think there's probably a need for schools to be much more aware of what's happening and potentially push back a bit more," he said. "If we'd known earlier, perhaps the principals could have got together and said to Marlborough Boys' College, 'we don't think that's right'. It's not a level playing field. How are we going to operate in a better way that actually identifies and demonstrates the values of secondary school sport? Because I don't think having five year 14s does that." Marlborough Boys' College principal Jarrod Dunn insisted his school did not set out to stack its rugby team with year 14s to gain a competitive advantage. He said in previous years the school may have had "one or two" students return for year 14. This year was an "anomaly" with eight students returning to school because it was difficult for young people to find employment in the region. Of the eight students who started out the year, two have since left school. "We've not gone out to keep these boys at school just for rugby. That's not what we're about - we're a school, we're an academic institution. We're not a rugby club," he said. "[The students] are all in an academic programme and some of that includes through our Gateway and our Trades Academy trying to find work for those people. "At the moment, I guess because of the climate, it's a lot harder to find that work. And when you look at the age of these boys, all under 18, some of them are just not really mature enough to enter the workforce, so we'll try and find ways to keep them in school so we can try and help get them into employment when they do leave." Dunn said he understands the argument that the sixth year students could be blocking the pathway for other players to experience first XV rugby, but he did not think it was fair to deny the year 14 boys the opportunity to participate in all areas of school life. The controversial trick-shot seen around the world The school's first XV has already been in the spotlight this season after making international headlines following a try-scoring stunt in their narrow 28-26 win over neighbouring rivals Nelson College. The controversy occurred in the 33rd minute of the match when Marlborough were awarded a penalty shot in front of the posts, and the ball was placed on the kicking tee for a shot at goal. As the Nelson team huddled behind the posts, the penalty taker side-footed the ball to the left corner, which was chased down by his Falcons teammate, who dotted down in the corner. After a lengthy discussion between the referees, the try was awarded. The footage quickly went viral, with former international rugby referee Nigel Owens weighing in on the legality of the try. The incident also re-ignited another debate over the merits of broadcasting schoolboy rugby games. The match was Sky Sport's first live televised first XV match after a two-year hiatus, which was brought about in large part due to schools raising concerns about players being exposed to an unhealthy level of scrutiny. Some schools - notably those involved in Auckland's 1A competition - have elected not to allow Sky to broadcast its games due to player welfare concerns. Dunn said the furore that erupted after the school's win over Nelson has made him question whether televising secondary school sport "is the right way to go". "It's definitely had an impact on a couple of our players," he said. "There's the pressure for these boys to perform, which can be both positive and negative. The TV and the media can put these boys in the spotlight when they have a good game, but if they don't have a good game or they make a decision that the public don't agree with, then the keyboard warriors come out, and with the power of social media, it gets pretty nasty. "The person I feel the most sorry for is the referee because they're giving up their time to adjudicate the game and one decision which whether it's right or wrong, they get crucified for." Bringing the temperature down Grocott, the principal of Shirley Boys' High School, said he believes in general the temperature around schoolboy rugby in the South Island is cooling. "I think there's now a growing understanding that secondary school sport is a byproduct of being at school and getting an education, and that is our core function. We are there to educate and sport is a by-product of it, it's a fantastic by-product but we are not here to develop professional athletes," he said. "In terms of what I would call school behaviour, there's a few outliers around exploiting the rules around poaching and this year 14 issue, but in general it is improving. For those schools you have to ask what they are trying to achieve here? Are they interested in educating young people? Or are they looking to win rugby competitions and market their school on that basis? And I think where the challenge lies is finding that perspective." The furore in the South Island competition comes as School Sport NZ - the organisation that governs high school sport - is currently reviewing its eligibility rules for secondary schools events in 2026. Mike Summerell, chief executive of School Sport NZ, declined to be interviewed for this story, but said the organisation is hoping to have a draft go out to schools for final consultation in the coming days. As reported by RNZ earlier this year, School Sport NZ is weighing up a blanket year 14 ban at national secondary schools events after the issue erupted in rowing. In January, schools voted overwhelmingly in favour of a rule change for the Maadi Regatta, making students returning for their sixth year of high school ineligible to compete in the prestigious event. The move was engineered by a group of around 60 high school principals from across the country who, concerned the practice had become "a black mark" on the sport, called for a special general meeting to vote through a change to the eligibility rules for the event. The vote forced School Sport NZ to make a hasty change to its own rules, carving out a separate clause for rowing. Summerell told RNZ back in February that the "year 14 issue" is something that officials are looking at closely after receiving a number of submissions from principals pushing for the ban to be implemented across all "championship level" secondary schools events. He said widespread changes to the rules would have to be weighed up against the positive effects of sport being a vehicle to keeping young people engaged in education.

RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
Eligibility row erupts over five ‘Year 14s' in controversial Marlborough Boys' College first XV
The Marlborough Boys' College first XV is again attracting controversy Photo: Sky Sport The schoolboy rugby team that made international headlines last month over a controversial try is facing further claims of dubious tactics by rivals. RNZ has learned Marlborough Boys' College, one of the top rugby schools in the South Island, has five "year 14" students in its first XV team this season. The make-up of the team has raised concerns about the integrity of the first XV competition, known as the Miles Toyota Premiership, and wider questions about the overheated nature of schoolboy rugby. The year 14 phenomenon, whereby students return for a sixth year of high school for sporting purposes, has long been a source of contention in secondary school sport. The practice has been banned in rowing . In 2018, age eligibility for secondary school rugby changed from under-19 to under-18 as of 1 January of the competition year, which appeared to temper the environment around first XV rugby. But school sports officials say the Marlborough Boys' College example shows more needs to be done to rein in the practice. One parent claimed the Marlborough team's actions are "making a mockery" of the premier competition, which involves schools in the Crusaders' catchment area stretching from Nelson, at the top of the South Island, to Timaru. "The biggest issue I've got is not necessarily what they're doing, although I don't believe what they're doing is in the spirit of secondary school rugby. But when you have five boys coming back to play rugby, they're blocking the path of other boys who won't get the opportunity to play in the first XV and share that experience with their peers," said the parent, who asked not to be named out of concern that their children may experience backlash. "I know there's a lot of people in Blenheim who aren't particularly happy with the approach here. There'll be some that are delighted because [Marlborough] are sticking it to the big Christchurch schools and beating Nelson [College] who are their local rivals. But how they're achieving it is pretty questionable in my opinion." Tonga Taumoefolau, coach of the Marlborough Boys' College first XV, disputed claims that having five year 14s in the team had created an uneven playing field, and questioned the motives of those "calling us out". The Marlborough Boys' College team, known as the Falcons, sit second in the premiership with five wins from five outings this season, just behind Christchurch Boys' High School, which has an additional bonus point. "I think your sources are revealing a bit about their character, that's how I feel," said Taumoefolau. "Two of the year 14 boys are not in the starting line-up, so only three of those boys are starting our games and what I would call our regular mainstays. I'm really bemused we've got a bunch of schools worried about what we're doing when you consider some of the stuff that goes on in other schools. "I would suggest it might also be worth looking at how many schools have imported players from the islands in the past." Taumoefolau also claimed that having five year 14s in their line-up was not unusual in the context of the competition. He said in 2021 one rival school had nine year 14s in its first XV, while another school had six in 2023. He declined to name those schools and RNZ has been unable to verify the claims. Tony Smail, chief executive of Canterbury Rugby, which governs the competition, was unavailable for an interview, but in a statement confirmed the union was aware Marlborough Boys' College had five year 14 players registered this season. "It isn't common that there are five players in any given year at Year 14 but the key consideration for eligibility is age, not year level," he said. Tim Grocott, principal of Shirley Boys' High School, says other principals may have said "we don't think that's right" if they'd known earlier about the number of Year 14s in the Marlborough Boys' team Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock Tim Grocott, principal of Shirley Boys' High School in Christchurch, which also features in the premiership competition, said he was shocked to learn there were five players in the Marlborough line-up. As player registration data only captures date of birth and year the player first started at the school, the number of year 14 students playing secondary schools rugby is difficult to quantify. But Grocott said having five in one team "is very, very unusual". "I haven't heard of a school who's had that number in previous years and a quick check of all of the team rosters of the premier competition… it appears that it is significantly higher than any other school," he said. Grocott said he is aware of one other school in the competition that "potentially has one or two year 14s". "What this issue has highlighted is I think there's probably a need for schools to be much more aware of what's happening and potentially push back a bit more," he said. "If we'd known earlier, perhaps the principals could have got together and said to Marlborough Boys' College, 'we don't think that's right'. It's not a level playing field. How are we going to operate in a better way that actually identifies and demonstrates the values of secondary school sport? Because I don't think having five year 14s does that." Marlborough Boys' College principal Jarrod Dunn insisted his school did not set out to stack its rugby team with year 14s to gain a competitive advantage. He said in previous years the school may have had "one or two" students return for year 14. This year was an "anomaly" with eight students returning to school because it was difficult for young people to find employment in the region. Of the eight students who started out the year, two have since left school. "We've not gone out to keep these boys at school just for rugby. That's not what we're about - we're a school, we're an academic institution. We're not a rugby club," he said. "[The students] are all in an academic programme and some of that includes through our Gateway and our Trades Academy trying to find work for those people. "At the moment, I guess because of the climate, it's a lot harder to find that work. And when you look at the age of these boys, all under 18, some of them are just not really mature enough to enter the workforce, so we'll try and find ways to keep them in school so we can try and help get them into employment when they do leave." Dunn said he understands the argument that the sixth year students could be blocking the pathway for other players to experience first XV rugby, but he did not think it was fair to deny the year 14 boys the opportunity to participate in all areas of school life. The school's first XV has already been in the spotlight this season after making international headlines following a try-scoring stunt in their narrow 28-26 win over neighbouring rivals Nelson College. The controversy occurred in the 33rd minute of the match when Marlborough were awarded a penalty shot in front of the posts, and the ball was placed on the kicking tee for a shot at goal. As the Nelson team huddled behind the posts, the penalty taker side-footed the ball to the left corner, which was chased down by his Falcons teammate, who dotted down in the corner. After a lengthy discussion between the referees, the try was awarded. The footage quickly went viral, with former international rugby referee Nigel Owens weighing in on the legality of the try. The incident also re-ignited another debate over the merits of broadcasting schoolboy rugby games. The match was Sky Sport's first live televised first XV match after a two-year hiatus, which was brought about in large part due to schools raising concerns about players being exposed to an unhealthy level of scrutiny. Some schools - notably those involved in Auckland's 1A competition - have elected not to allow Sky to broadcast its games due to player welfare concerns. Dunn said the furore that erupted after the school's win over Nelson has made him question whether televising secondary school sport "is the right way to go". "It's definitely had an impact on a couple of our players," he said. "There's the pressure for these boys to perform, which can be both positive and negative. The TV and the media can put these boys in the spotlight when they have a good game, but if they don't have a good game or they make a decision that the public don't agree with, then the keyboard warriors come out, and with the power of social media, it gets pretty nasty. "The person I feel the most sorry for is the referee because they're giving up their time to adjudicate the game and one decision which whether it's right or wrong, they get crucified for." Grocott, the principal of Shirley Boys' High School, said he believes in general the temperature around schoolboy rugby in the South Island is cooling. "I think there's now a growing understanding that secondary school sport is a byproduct of being at school and getting an education, and that is our core function. We are there to educate and sport is a by-product of it, it's a fantastic by-product but we are not here to develop professional athletes," he said. "In terms of what I would call school behaviour, there's a few outliers around exploiting the rules around poaching and this year 14 issue, but in general it is improving. For those schools you have to ask what they are trying to achieve here? Are they interested in educating young people? Or are they looking to win rugby competitions and market their school on that basis? And I think where the challenge lies is finding that perspective." The furore in the South Island competition comes as School Sport NZ - the organisation that governs high school sport - is currently reviewing its eligibility rules for secondary schools events in 2026. Mike Summerell, chief executive of School Sport NZ, declined to be interviewed for this story, but said the organisation is hoping to have a draft go out to schools for final consultation in the coming days. As reported by RNZ earlier this year, School Sport NZ is weighing up a blanket year 14 ban at national secondary schools events after the issue erupted in rowing. In January, schools voted overwhelmingly in favour of a rule change for the Maadi Regatta , making students returning for their sixth year of high school ineligible to compete in the prestigious event. The move was engineered by a group of around 60 high school principals from across the country who, concerned the practice had become "a black mark" on the sport, called for a special general meeting to vote through a change to the eligibility rules for the event. The vote forced School Sport NZ to make a hasty change to its own rules, carving out a separate clause for rowing. Summerell told RNZ back in February that the "year 14 issue" is something that officials are looking at closely after receiving a number of submissions from principals pushing for the ban to be implemented across all "championship level" secondary schools events. He said widespread changes to the rules would have to be weighed up against the positive effects of sport being a vehicle to keeping young people engaged in education. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.