Latest news with #Year14
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Sport NZ leaves it to schools to resolve 'Year 14' rugby row
Photo: Photosport The issue of " Year 14 " athletes has raised its head again, with Marlborough Boys' College admitting it has five such players in its First XV , in the wake of a recent win over Nelson College last month in their annual traditional match. Auckland Grammar principal Tim O'Connor has challenged Sport NZ to take a stand on extra-year students returning to schools on sporting grounds. "Really, our role as principals and our role as schools is to educate young people," he told RNZ's Checkpoint programme on Thursday. "Sport NZ talks about balance is better, but where are they in this discussion? "They haven't come out to say, 'Why are we allowing this to occur?' "I'd love to see them being more proactive and having the courage to speak up on this. "Perhaps there are organisations that want to turn a blind eye to what is the pathway for young men and rugby in this country frankly. We need to get beyond that." Auckland's 1A competition has put its members on notice that Year 14 players will not be permitted from next season. Auckland Grammar principal Tim O'Connor. Photo: RNZ Insight/John Gerritsen O'Connor admits two of the 12 teams currently have two such players each on their rosters. "We discussed that at the beginning of the year and felt the fair thing to do was give everyone 12 months' notice, and then we wouldn't be allowing that to occur again." In a statement, Sport NZ said: "Schools are best placed to make decisions in the interests of all students in their care." "Sport New Zealand has every trust and confidence in School Sport NZ and in Regional Secondary School Sport Organisations, and the processes they lead for determining competition rules, including eligibility. "The eligibility regulations for both regional and national secondary school sport are regularly reviewed by these bodies in consultation with secondary school principals. "Specifically for the Miles Toyota 1stXV Championship (in which Marlborough competes), the Principals of South Island secondary schools determine the rules for this specific competition. "Their eligibility criteria are consistent with School Sport NZ's ie. those under 18 years at 1st of January who are registered students are eligible." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
2 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Auckland Grammar principal calls out Sport NZ over 'Year 14' athletes
Auckland Grammar principal Tim O'Connor has challenged Sport NZ to take a stand on extra-year students returning to schools on sporting grounds. The issue of "Year 14" athletes has raised its head again, with Marlborough Boys' College admitting it had five such players in its First XV, which scored a historic – and controversial – win over Nelson College last month. That 28-26 result came after Marlborough were awarded a first-half penalty and, instead of aiming for the posts, the goalkicker struck for the corner, where one of his teammates chased it down for a try that was eventually awarded. O'Connor told RNZ that bringing students back for an extra year for sporting purposes was a distortion of their roles as educators and openly wondered where the national sporting administrators were in this debate. "Really, our role as principals and our role as schools is to educate young people," he said. "Sport NZ talks about balance is better, but where are they in this discussion? ADVERTISEMENT "They haven't come out to say, 'why are we allowing this to occur'? "I'd love to see them being more proactive and having the courage to speak up on this. "Perhaps there are organisations that want to turn a blind eye to what is the pathway for young men and rugby in this country frankly. We need to get beyond that." RNZ has approached Sport NZ for reaction to O'Connor's comments. Auckland's 1A competition has put is members on notice that Year 14 players will not be permitted from next season. O'Connor admits two of the 12 teams currently have two such players each on their rosters. "We discussed that at the beginning of the year and felt the fair thing to do was give everyone 12 months' notice, and then we wouldn't be allowing that to occur again." Earlier this year, the issue led to a ban on extra-year rowers at the prestigious Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro. ADVERTISEMENT School Sport NZ is now considering a total ban on the Year 14 athletes. "There is no doubt there is a distinct advantage – muscle co-ordination and technical ability – in a sixth-year student," O'Connor said. "They're taking away positions from students who are coming through their natural schooling years. "For example, Rieko Ioane could have returned – we could have encouraged him to return, because he would have met all the other criteria, and he could have returned to play rugby for another year, which would have been a huge advantage to our school. "Our view was Rieko should actually carry on with his life and move to the next stage, and we'd fully support him in doing so." Now an 81-test All Black, Ioane debuted for Auckland and the NZ sevens team the year after leaving Auckland Grammar, and made his test debut aged 19. O'Connor insisted his school would not take the field against Marlborough with their Year 14 players. "I don't know why there would be a reason to play them," he told RNZ. "I'd rather play in a competition where we know there is a level playing field and we're treating each other with respect. "In the 1A competition, mid-season, we have about six teams who could still win it – that's a great competition, that keeps it alive across multiple schools."
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Auckland Grammar principal calls out Sport NZ over 'Year 14' athletes
1st XV rugby match between Nelson College and Marlborough Boys. Nelson College, Nelson. Photo: Chris Symes / Auckland Grammar principal Tim O'Connor has challenged Sport NZ to take a stand on extra-year students returning to schools on sporting grounds. The issue of 'Year 14' athletes has raised its head again, with Marlborough Boys' College admitting it has five such players in its First XV , which scored a historic - and controversial - win over Nelson College last month. That 28-26 result came after Marlborough were awarded a first-half penalty and instead of aiming for the posts, the goalkicker struck for the corner, where one of his teammates chased it down for a try that was eventually awarded. O'Connor told Checkpoint that bringing students back for an extra year for sporting purposes was a distortion of their roles as educators and openly wondered where the national sporting administrators were in this debate. "Really, our role as principals and our role as schools is to educate young people," he said. "Sport NZ talks about balance is better, but where are they in this discussion? "They haven't come out to say, 'why are we allowing this to occur?' "I'd love to see them being more proactive and having the courage to speak up on this. "Perhaps there are organisations that want to turn a blind eye to what is the pathway for young men and rugby in this country frankly. We need to get beyond that." RNZ has approached Sport NZ for reaction to O'Connor's comments. Auckland's 1A competition has put is members on notice that Year 14 players will not be permitted from next season. O'Connor admits two of the 12 teams currently have two such players each on their rosters. "We discussed that at the beginning of the year and felt the fair thing to do was give everyone 12 months' notice, and then we wouldn't be allowing that to occur again." Earlier this year, the issue led to a ban on extra-year rowers at the prestigious Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro. School Sport NZ is now considering a total ban on the Year 14 athletes . "There is no doubt there is a distinct advantage - muscle co-ordination and technical ability - in a sixth-year student," O'Connor said. "They're taking away positions from students who are coming through their natural schooling years. "For example, Rieko Ioane could have returned - we could have encouraged him to return, because he would have met all the other criteria, and he could have returned to play rugby for another year, which would have been a huge advantage to our school. "Our view was Rieko should actually carry on with his life and move to the next stage, and we'd fully support him in doing so." Now an 81-test All Black, Ioane debuted for Auckland and the NZ sevens team the year after leaving Auckland Grammar, and made his test debut aged 19. O'Connor insisted his school would not take the field against Marlborough with their Year 14 players. "I don't know why there would be a reason to play them," he told Checkpoint . "I'd rather play in a competition where we know there is a level playing field and we're treating each other with respect. "In the 1A competition, mid-season, we have about six teams who could still win it - that's a great competition, that keeps it alive across multiple schools." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Auckland schools stamping out use of 'Year 14' rugby players
sport education 36 minutes ago A dozen Auckland High schools are voluntarily making changes to their competition rules to stamp out the use of so called Year 14 players. Year 14's are students that return for an extra sixth year of high school so they can carry on playing sport. They're considered to have an unfair advantage due and age, size and experience. The issue is in the spotlight after Marlborough Boys' College confirmed it's fielding a first XV team with five year fourteen players .in this season's Miles Toyota Premiership. Auckland Grammar is one of the schools making changes to their rules to avoid the issue. Principal Tim O'Connor spoke to Lisa Owen.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs mock draft roundup: Expert picks for 2025 NFL draft
Bucs mock draft roundup: Expert picks for 2025 NFL draft We are just over 24 hours away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and there is no better time to look at what the draft experts around the NFL world are saying. We have compiled a total of ten mock drafts that have been published in the past few days, and we are going to give you their picks for the team. There will also be links to the mocks in case you want to see picks for other teams, perhaps division rivals, or so on. Getting back to the point, the Bucs are one of the more interesting teams to pick for in mock drafts. The results from these reflect that in a fun way, and should have you anxious for Thursday's first round. Here are the results of the data we gathered. Peter Schrager, ESPN Selection: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona "The all-world athlete would be the perfect addition to a wide receiver room with a mix of veterans and young players. The Bucs love Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan is coming off a solid rookie year. McMillan would be the perfect student for the veterans to teach." Ari Meirov, 33rd Team Selection: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia Thor Nystrom, Fantasy Life Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama Christian Williams, Devy Royale Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama "The medicals will have to clear, but Campbell is one of the ten best players in the class. He's been linked to the Bucs for the entire offseason, and the potential to add Campbell alongside Lavonte David would give their defense enough talent to compete for the division title again." Bucky Brooks, NFL Media Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama "Lavonte David is back for Year 14 -- but Todd Bowles could pick the 35-year-old linebacker's successor here. Presuming his recovery from a torn labrum goes smoothly, Campbell's versatility would give the Buccaneers a second-level defender with playmaking and pass-rush potential." Kyle Crabs, 33rd Team Selection: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College "The Bucs are a team that feels likely to go shopping for head coach Todd Bowles. Will it be a linebacker like Jihaad Campbell? Could it be a defensive back to add long-term? Right now, Ezeiruaku feels like a nice pairing who could help juice the Bucs' organic pass rush." Cris Collinsworth, PFF Selection: Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia 'He played a lot in the slot, kind of like that Brian Branch type of role. I thought his best work was close to the line of scrimmage, and that's why I wouldn't take him inside the top-10.' Dane Brugler, The Athletic Selection: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama "Lavonte David is back at age 35 for a reason — he is still playing at a high level. But this would also be a great opportunity for the veteran to help Campbell get introduced to NFL life. The Buccaneers are going to have a defense-heavy draft, especially in the early rounds." Chad Reuter, NFL Media Selection: Projected trade with Packers to 23 to draft Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M "The Buccaneers could use Stewart as a 5-technique because of his size and strength at the point of attack, potentially setting him up to replace Logan Hall if the veteran departs as a free agent in 2026. Stewart will also stand up at times because of his athleticism, making him a great fit in Tampa Bay's scheme." Travis May, AtoZ Sports Selection: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall "Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to step up the pressure off the edge. They had zero edge rushers with more than just six sacks a year ago. Mike Green tallied 17 sacks last fall and fits the archetypal style of defensive end that the Buccaneers need."
