Sport

At Rathkeale we have three categories of sport:

Tier One Sports

These are sports which traditionally have high participation, and which can give students the opportunity to participate at different levels. We provide coaching, have good facilities and provide a pathway for development.

Tier Two Sports

These are sports which have lower participation. We provide opportunities to try these sports, have fun with friends, and play in local competitions where available. We will provide information and opportunities to those who want to extend themselves via opportunities outside the school. All sports options offered (excluding Tier One sports) are Tier Two sports.

Tier Three Sports

These are sports which we do not have the capacity to deliver due to lack of facilities or expertise. We will do our best to support students who wish to participate in these sports, but these activities will be student and parent led. Students participating in Tier Three sports are expected to play a Tier One or Two Sport in summer and winter.

Overview of Sport in 2026

All students must play a ‘main team sport’: rugby, hockey, football or basketball.

The organisation of teams is based on numbers and ability levels.  We attempt to place teams in competitions that allow our players to enjoy competition, and learn and grow as sportsmen and people. 

While we always play to win (that is what sport is about), our focus is on enjoyment and performance. 

Optional Winter Sports

In addition to playing a main sport, students can choose to play or be involved in additional sports.  These include:

During the summer students can chose to participate in the following:

Inter-house Sport

We offer a number of inter-house sporting competitions where students compete for their houses and personal recognition.  These events include:

Sport Exchanges

We hold sports exchanges in summer and winter against Whanganui Collegiate, Hutt International Boys’ School and Lindisfarne College. 

Traditionally, the exchanges involve cricket and tennis in the summer and rugby, football, and hockey in winter. However, where possible, we are involving other sports such as basketball, chess and debating.

Inter-college Sports

We enter teams into inter-collegiate, regional and national events in a number of sports, including swimming, athletics, cross-country, golf, ki-o-rahi, tennis, mountain biking, small bore rifle shooting, squash, rugby, basketball, hockey and football.

Wairarapa Secondary School Sport

Rathkeale College works with other local schools to create local sporting opportunities, information about many of the local competitions can be found on their website: www.waisssport.co.nz

Many of our first teams travel further afield to create a more competitive environment to stimulate learning and growth in our students.

The Sports Office co-ordinates all non-curriculum sporting activity. This includes sports teams, interhouse competitions, sports exchanges, interschool competitions, regional and national competitions.

Each sport has a ‘Teacher in Charge’ (TIC) who organises and runs the sport.  If you have any questions about specific sports, please contact the TIC. 

If you have any other sporting query, please contact the Sports Office.

Sport’s Office ph: 06 3700175, ext 7760

email sport@rathkeale.school.nz

Other Sports – Please contact the Sports Office