Sport Handbook 2026 by Rangi Ruru Girls' School

INSPIRING OPPORTUNITY

Sport at Rangi Ruru is as much about participation and fun as it is about competition, challenge and success at the top level.

If there is one word that encapsulates sport here, it would be “opportunity”. The essence of sport in our kura is found in the opportunities which are provided for our ākonga to find their sporting north—the activity or sport which inspires them—and for them to be the very best they can be.

We have a very proud tradition of sporting excellence and participation. Our teams consistently perform highly on the local and national stage, and numerous students represent Canterbury or New Zealand. Aside from these individual and team successes, we consistently achieve participation rates that sit above 85%, indicating a tradition of not just achievement, but also involvement at all levels.

Our focus is on offering opportunities that support our students to flourish as athletes but equally, if not more importantly, as people. Our extensive network of coaches, managers and convenors are committed and passionate about supporting all our rangatahi in their sporting journeys—whatever they might be, and wherever they might go.

Whether sport is about fellowship, excellence, enjoyment or passion, sport at Rangi Ruru is about sport for life.

GWEN HARROP Director of Sport

SOME 2025 SPORT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Rowing - Maadi Regatta/NZSS: Three titles, four silvers and two bronzes. SISS: Four titles. Collegiate scholarship

• Equestrian - SISS Equestrian Champs: Reserve champions

• Snow Sports – CSS and SISS: Top girls’ school

• Basketball - Southern Cup Tournament: 2nd

• Cycling - South Island Road Championships: 1st (U20 Time Trial)

• Golf - CSS: 1st (individual)

• Badminton – SISS Badminton, SSC Doubles and Koru Games: 1st

• Hockey – 2025 1st XI Quad, CAIMS and 2024 Koru Games: 1st. Chris Arthur: 4th. 2025 AIMS Games 4th

• Netball - SISS: 11th. CSS Development Tournament: Cup and plate winners. CNC Challenge: 1st (Grade 1), 2nd (10A). Junior SISS: National development selection. Grade Games: Multiple winners.

• Aerobics - NZCAF Nationals: 2nd( div 5 pair), 3rd (Div 5 individual). NZCAF Regionals: 1st, 2nd 3rd (div 5 pairs). FISAF: 3rd (cadet). CAIMS: 1st

• Adventure Racing – Canterbury Adventure Race and SISS Orienteering: 1st. Senior SISS: 2nd

• Tennis – NZSS: 6th. JSS: 1st (team), 2nd (individual Y9)

• Volleyball – Canterbury Secondary School Senior Champs: 2nd (Div 2)

• Athletics – NZSS: 3rd (walk). CSS: 1st (U19 and Open 4x100m relay)

• Pickleball - Koru Games: 1st

• Cricket - Gilette Venus Regionals: 4th

• Fencing - CSS: 1st. NZSS: 5th

• Cross Country - SI Festival: 1st (Y8 team and individuals). NZ Championships: 2nd (U14)

• Swimming – NZSS: 4th (50m, 100m relay). SISS: 1st (Open Water Swim). CSS: Multiple individual and team placings

• Touch Rugby – CSS: 2nd. SISS: 5th. NZSS: 13th. Koru Games: 1st

• Regional Representatives – Rowing, badminton, basketball, cricket, golf, netball, waterpolo, touch, ice hockey, gymnastics, futsal

• NZ representatives - Equestrian, badminton, adventure racing, fencing, multisport, snowsports, touch, volleyball, waterpolo, diving, ice hockey, roller derby

• National Camps and Squads - Beach volleyball, badminton, netball, artistic swimming

SPORT AT RANGI RURU

COACHES

Our coaches continue to be the foundation of the quality sporting programme that we offer. This is true across our Years 7 to 13 programme, with experienced coaches appointed to teams across year levels. We believe investing in our coaches allows our students to be exposed to invaluable experience which assists them with the skills, mentoring and development that they need to achieve their sporting aspirations. Our coaches include a mix of current and former New Zealand representatives, with 20 of our coaches being either current or previous regional, national or international representatives.

OUR WRAP AROUND SUPPORT & FACILITIES

Mindset coaching is a key component of the sports programme. Students are able to have team sessions with mindset coach, Ross Kennedy, focused on improving their growth, development and performance through understanding themselves and their environment by creating the mindset to be their best selves.

On-campus facilities including the waterbased hockey turf, hard courts, heated pool and Atawhai sport and multi-purpose centre, complete with fitness centre and on-site physio, provide opportunities for teams and individuals to train at school.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

In our top-class fitness centre over 100 students each week take part in structured strength & conditioning (S&C) programmes throughout the year. S&C assists students to become stronger and helps them to be better prepared to take on the demands of their sport. While students might view their strength and conditioning sessions to be about being fitter, the true value is reflected in the reduced injury rate, particularly significant knee injuries.

REGULAR WELLNESS MONITORING

Throughout each term, our coaching and sports staff monitor how our athletes are doing. This provides opportunities for our team to initiate conversations with students who are negotiating the study/school/ sport/life balance on a weekly and sometimes daily basis.

ISSY CARR

OUR ATHLETES

ISSY

CARR

2026 HEAD OF SPORT AND STUDENT ATHLETE

WHAT SPORTS ARE YOU INVOLVED IN?

“I have been involved in both Hockey and Touch Rugby, and have been a member of the 1st XI Hockey team since Year 10 and the Super Touch team since Year 9. Alongside this, I have played representative hockey in 2024 and 2025, as well as Division 1 club hockey with Carlton Redcliffs. I have competed at a national and international level in Touch, and currently play in the Christchurch women’s open competition with Factory Touch. Last year I was given the opportunity to coach both a junior hockey team and a junior touch team. Rangi Ruru offer a wide range of sporting opportunities, and I have been fortunate to participate in other sports such as swimming, basketball, water polo, and volleyball, both competitively and socially.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT SPORT AT RANGI RURU?

“I love the connections and friendships I have developed over the years, and the opportunities to work alongside individuals who share the same passion and commitment to striving for improvement, both personally and as a team. This shared commitment fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, where every team member is encouraged to challenge themselves and grow alongside others. For me, sport is not only a means of competition, but also a way to cultivate leadership, teamwork and a genuine sense of belonging within the wider school community.”

TILLY O’SULLIVAN

2026 DEPUTY HEAD OF SPORT AND STUDENT ATHLETE

WHAT SPORTS ARE YOU INVOLVED IN?

“I am actively involved in both athletics and hockey, which have played a significant role in my life and have been further developed through my high school experience. In athletics, I train and compete regularly, earning the privilege of representing Rangi Ruru at nationals for the past four years. I was also fortunate to be selected for the 1st XI hockey team in Year 11, and in

that same season we became Canterbury Champions. This was a particularly special moment for me, as we were supported by a huge crowd of Rangi girls, making the achievement even more meaningful as we shared our success together.”

HOW DOES RANGI RURU ENABLE YOU TO BE YOUR BEST IN SPORTS?

“The strong support provided through dedicated coaches, managers, and highquality resources help me develop both my skills and confidence, while the facilities and resources allow me to train and compete at a high level. Rangi Ruru also offers the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports, giving students the freedom to explore their interests and challenge themselves in different areas. This supportive environment allows me to grow not only as an athlete, but also as a committed and well-rounded individual.”

OUR ALUMNAE

ABBEY MOODY

CLASS OF 2019 AND ATHLETICS

SCHOLAR AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SPORTING JOURNEY IN YOUR TIME AT RANGI RURU.

“I moved to Rangi Ruru to complete my last two years of high school, knowing it would provide further opportunities in both water polo and track and field. I set myself sports and academic goals and from the beginning, felt completely supported in my ability to achieve these. During my time at Rangi Ruru, I was named in New Zealand representative teams for both water polo and track and field (javelin). I was also fortunate to be a part of the SOAR programme. I am profoundly thankful for the unwavering support that not only enabled these accomplishments but also led me to continuing javelin at Stanford University in the United States.”

WHAT WAS OR WHO WERE SIGNIFICANT IN HELPING YOU IN YOUR SPORTING JOURNEY AT RANGI RURU?

“The entire sport department were amazing, providing support and guidance towards my aspirations. There was always someone I could reach out to, [it] had a significant impact on my success.”

S.O.A.R SUPPORTING OUTSTANDING ATHLETES AT RANGI RURU

S.O.A.R (Supporting Outstanding Athletes at Rangi) is a unique sports programme aimed at enriching the experiences of athletes at Rangi Ruru. This is achieved though strengthening each athlete’s connection with self, others and community:

• Fostering a strength and self-awareness focused approach to sport and life.

• Athletes support and learn from each other, allowing maximum growth and development.

• Athletes linked with individuals, opportunities, or organisations that can enhance their sporting journey.

• Together with the S.O.A.R convenor, participants will create an evolving ADP (Athlete Development Plan) aligned with their PDP (Personal Development Plan).

H.A.T.C.H

In 2026, S.O.A.R’s little sister programme, H.A.T.C.H (Helping Aspiring Athletes to Thrive, Connect and Harness Potential), was launched to provide holistic and inclusive foundational support for Year 9 and 10 ākonga who have aspirations to be their best in sport and life.

HATCH is student-centred, no specific sporting level is required.

The program is not about performance or selection, but about helping students thrive, manage pressure, learn from setbacks and connect with like-minded peers.

OUR SPORT DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

Our Sport Development Framework is applied across all sports, and is built around four key pillars: Athlete Habits; Fundamentals; Training with Intensity and Purpose; and Transitioning Between Programmes. From Years 7 through to Year 13, students are supported to build strong foundations, understand how to train effectively, and clearly see what progression looks like at each stage of their journey.

Whether a student is new to sport or striving for representative honours, we focus on both performance and personal growth: In training, in competition, and in the habits developed beyond sport.

Across team and individual sports alike, we are committed to creating a space for every athlete to build strong fundamentals, train with intention, develop resilience and confidence, and foster a genuine love of sport that will stay with them long after their time at Rangi Ruru.

Mā te huruhuru ka

rere te manu

Adorn the bird with feathers so it may soar

SPORTS ON OFFER

Each year over 30 different sporting options are on offer to Rangi Ruru students. In all options, ākonga can participate either on a social or a highly competitive level.

The current offerings include:

• Adventure Racing

• Aerobics

• Athletics

• Badminton

• Basketball

• Cricket

• Cross Country

• Cycling

• Diving

• Equestrian (Polo, Show Jumping, Mounted Games and Dressage)

• Fencing

• Football

• Futsal

• Golf

• Gymnastics

• Hockey

• Indoor Netball

• Lifesaving

• Mountain Biking

• Multisport (Duathlon, Triathlon and Open Water Swim)

• Netball

• Pickleball

• Rowing

• Rugby/Rugby 7s

• Running Club

• Snowsports

• Surfing

• Swimming

• Tennis

• Touch Rugby

• Volleyball

• Water Polo

Additionally, students who represent the school at Canterbury, South Island and New Zealand secondary school level in sports not directly offered can access resources such as Mindset and Strength and Conditioning to support their aspirations.

Years 7 and 8 students have the ability to take part in many of the above weekly sport opportunities alongside students in Years 9 to 13. As members of the Canterbury Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools (CAIMS) network, Years 7 and 8 students also have the opportunity to compete against other larger intermediate schools on a weekly basis throughout Terms 2 to 4.