On April 10^th Ruataniwha  represented Central Hawke’s Bay College and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tamatea at Secondary School Kī-o-Rahi Nationals held in Gisborne. This team has worked very hard and put in so much time and effort to get to this competition. The biggest goal for Ruataniwha this year was to make the top 16, but also for other teams to recognize and acknowledge who we are. We achieved both goals and exceeded expectations. 

On day one we faced many tough teams and had some very good wins and some very tight losses, we ended day one with 3 wins and 2 losses, this put us 15^th which qualified us for quarter finals. Going into day 2 we were excited and ready for our finals debut. We came up against a very tough team who finished 2^nd on the table after day one and it was a well fought game by Ruataniwha, but we ended up losing in a really good battle.  

National Scores: 

Mana Rua = 10 – 16 W 

Rakaumanga = 17 – 14 L 

Kaokaoroa = 10 – 6 L 

Ngā Uri a Māui = 17 – 28 W 

Horouta Wananga = 6 – 29 W 

Manutuke = 29 – 18 L 

The Koutu = 9 – 18 W 

This was a great experience for our Tamariki, they finished their national campaign with 4 wins and 3 losses placing 9^th equal out of 36 schools. They represented their Kura and their community with pride, and we are so proud of their growth and seeing all their hard work pay off. 

Next year Ruataniwha heads off to Palmerston North for nationals, the journey has just begun, and we plan to keep getting better and keep growing this sport we love in our own community. 

We want to give a huge mihi to all our supporters, whānau, staff and sponsors who have helped us in any way possible. You believed in our whānau and made this opportunity possible for us, thank you all very much.  

Ruataniwha Coaches 

Hogan Hynes 

Mahinaarangi Northover 

Pauly Sciascia 

And on behalf of the players and the College thank you to Hogan, Mahinaarangi and Pauly for coaching and mentoring, not just the tournament team but two teams during term one. You have done an amazing job, and it shows in the results.

Wendy Mackey

Sports Coordinator 

Article added: Thursday 09 May 2024