Prestigious secondary schools rugby tournament comes to Hastings

The New Zealand under15 secondary schools rugby tournament will be played at Elwood Park in Hastings next month.

The tournament was first played in 1979 and this year will be hosted by Hastings Boys High.

It is an invitation only tournament, involving the 16 best under 15 Secondary School teams in New Zealand. The finalists will play six games of rugby in five days.

Hastings Boys High Headmaster Rob Sturch says “it’s a great chance for Hawke’s Bay rugby supporters to see some of the next crop of players, who in many cases are just beginning their climb into the senior ranks. Secondary School rugby is recognized as providing some of the most exciting action of any grade and Elwood Park is one of the best venues in the country.”

Mr Sturch says “playing so many games in such a short space of time will be physically demanding on the players and it will take a real “champion team” to win the trophy.”

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says “being able to host the tournament at Ellwood Park will provide an enormous boost for the game in the region. It will also be great for the districts economy with players from the 16 teams bringing supporters, friends and family.”

“The city will be buzzing with rugby fever and we expect that café’s, restaurants and accommodation facilities will all gain from having this tournament played in Hastings.”

Hastings Boys High has been drawn in a pool with Christchurch, New Plymouth and Hamilton while last year’s third placed team Napier Boys High will meet Mt Albert Grammar, St Bedes and Massey in pool play.

The tournament begins on Monday August 22nd with the finals to be played on Friday August 26th.