Update from the Sports Department

CBHS Colts XI Crowned National Invitational Junior Champions

Massive congratulations to skipper Joel Wakelin and the CBHS Colts XI for claiming the National Invitational Junior School Boys Cricket Cup this afternoon!

The team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, finishing undefeated with dominant wins over Tauranga Boys' College, Palmerston North Boys' High School, New Plymouth Boys' High School, St Paul’s Collegiate, and Auckland Grammar School.

A special mention to Tom Gainsford, who was named Tournament MVP, amassing 272 runs at an impressive average of 68.

An incredible effort from the entire squad—well done, boys!

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CBHS 1st XI Cricket

The CBHS 1st XI have successfully completed a rare three peat (2023-‘24-‘25), within arguably their toughest format. Winning the Christchurch Metro 1st XI ‘Two-Day’ Competition - The boys had x5 outright wins from as many games vs Timaru BHS 1st XI, CBHS 2nd XI, St Thomas 1st XI, StAC 1st XI & Christ’s College 1st XI (the first time x5 outright wins has been achieved in those three seasons) - one week earlier the team also won the Premier ‘T20’ competition vs StAC 1st XI, again a three peat! 

Throughout the term this group of young men have impressively upheld the values of the school, and are not only leaders within their cricket efforts (training / playing), but have been held accountable for how they work within the classroom - it has been extremely pleasing to see the boys perform equally well within this space! 

 On Friday we had our Traditional Fixture vs Christ’s College. This is the premier Traditional Fixture within our cricket programme and although it is a match that brings much  less hype within the school when it is compared to the School vs College Rugby match, it has equal significance and importance to our boys. Will Jordan (All Black, and Old Boy 2011-‘15) kindly gave freely of his time and spoke to the team, with an important/personal  key message, before the days play and presented the playing caps to each of the boys.   

The result:

CBHS 1st XI vs Christ’s College Traditional

Friday 28 March - Saturday 29 March

CC 139/10(54 overs)

O Hastie 2/10

C Jones 2/16

C McClurg 2/19

H Wessels 2/20

S Frame 2/30

CBHS 196/10(57 overs)

 C Woodgate 43

H O’Loughlin 41

G Quirk 37

CC 134/10(50 overs)

 S Frame 5/37

H Wessels 3/32

CBHS 78/2(13 overs)

 H O’Loughlin 39*

C Woodgate 22*

CBHS won by 8 wickets

CBHS 2025 1st XI Squad: 

 Harry O’Loughlin (captain) 

Cam Jones (vice captain) 

Dylan Freeman (vice captain) 

Todd Williams 

Carter Woodgate 

Gus Quirk 

Isaac Daly 

Hanroux Wessels 

Sam Frame 

Luke Mitchell 

Corbyn McClurg 

Ollie Hastie 

Seb Hinton - Russell 

Louis Shanahan 

Coaches: 

Rob Smith 

Denis Aberhart 

Nick Cooke 

Toby Robinson 

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CBHS Rowers at the Maadi Regatta

The boys put in an awesome effort to achieve what they did. We are super proud of the way they conducted themselves, the pride they showed in the school

Key performances were:

Bronze in the U15 8+ 

• (Oliver Parnham, Freddy Cairns, Andrew Ryan, Raf Hawes, Jonty Mason, Albie Sampson, Alex Cosgriff, Lachie Honeywell and Angus Mackie)

Bronze in the U15 4+ 

• (Oliver Parnham, Freddy Cairns, Raf Hawes, Lachie Honeywell, Toby Brook)

4th in the U17 8+ (out of 14 crews)

• (always a bitter place to come but still a huge achievement) (Harvey Moyle, Reuben Fifield, Hugo Parnham, Jamie Kamo, Charlie Greenslade, Matt Behrnes, Romey Johnston, Jack Dennehy, Blake Robson)

4th in the U16 4+ (out of 34 crews)

• (Matt Behnres, Romey Johnston, Freddie Sampson, Donnacha Doyle, Luke Saunders)

Full Results: https://rowit.nz/mads2025/results?cn=cbhs

Congratulations to Hugo Parnham for being selected to trial for the South Island U18 team!

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CBHS Golf

Two CBHS teams entered the Canterbury Secondary School Golf Championships held at Avondale Golf Club. 

With the best two scores from each team counting, the pressure was on around a tight tree-lined course. The 'A' team of Will Wright, Harrison Lund, and Johnny McBride were able to score a few birdies early on, but ultimately struggled with consistency throughout the round. 

The CBHS 'B' team of Thomas Piebenga, Sam Smith and Tom Edwards were a little more consistent and ultimately ended up beating the A team by a single shot. Congratulations to Tom Edwards for shooting the low round of the day amongst our boys. Final results had our boys finishing mid-pack of the 35 teams entered. 

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Canterbury Secondary Schools Athletics Championship 2025

It has again been a very successful week for our Boys’ High athletes at this year's Canterbury Secondary Schools Athletics Championships. With 17 titles and 18 placings our boys have performed to the high standard we are accustomed to.

Our Senior Boys were impressive across the board with titles to Max Aldridge- 3000m Cooper Wightman - 800m and 1500, Finn Hawkins - 100m, Harry Williamson - 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles and Long Jump and Jonty Leary- Shot Put. They also took out the Senior 4 x 100m title - Finn, Harry, Zack Walton and Cam Jones, as well as the Open 4 x 400m - Henry Sevier, Cooper Wightman, Zack Walton and Harry Williamson.

In the Under 16's Lucas Stevens took the 100m/200m double, with the 100m a Boys' High trifecta, with Noel Ham and Jeremy Habwe filling the minors. These three then combined with Freddy Davis to win the Under 16 4 x 100m title.

It was Under 14 athlete Vern Toaolamai-Holden that stole the show in the juniors, breaking both the 100m – 11.62 and 200m – 23.72 records on his way to taking two titles, the second of these over team-mate Rocco North. Vern and Rocco joined up with Ethan Gray and Logan Dale to take out the 4 x 100m relay. The last of the titles was won by year nine thrower Ethan Roets, with a fantastic throw of 46.44m to win the Discus, before later being narrowly denied in the Shot Put.

With 59 boys being involved in the Boys’ High team over the two days of competition, several new boys that have been introduced to athletics. I loved the endeavour that was shown across a range of disciplines. We have some seriously talented boys that I hope will continue next season.

A big thanks to Mr Wood and Mr Chaplin for their help over the two days. Over the weekend of April 4-6, we do it all again at the South Islands in Nelson. The best of luck to all the boys going to that event.

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CBHS Finish Runners-Up at South Island Satellite Volleyball Tournament

The CBHS volleyball team delivered an outstanding performance at the South Island Satellite Volleyball Tournament, finishing as runners-up after a hard-fought final against Rolleston A.

Tournament Recap:

The boys put on a dominant display in their semi-final clash against St Peter’s College A, securing a convincing 3-0 victory to book their place in the championship match. They played with skill, intensity, and composure, controlling the game from start to finish.

In the final against Rolleston A, the team left everything on the court in a thrilling five-set battle. Having emptied the tank in the semi-final, the boys fought hard but narrowly fell short in a match that saw momentum shift back and forth.

Set Scores: 25-21, 15-25, 25-22, 21-25, 9-15

Despite the narrow loss, the team can be incredibly proud of their effort and second-place finish. They played with heart, determination, and resilience throughout the tournament, proving themselves as one of the top teams in the competition.

Congratulations to the players and coaches on a fantastic tournament!

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CBHS 1st V Ultimate Frisbee Team Crowned South Island Champions

The Christchurch Boys’ High School 1st V Ultimate Frisbee team delivered an outstanding performance at the South Island Championship, emerging as undefeated champions – a historic achievement for the school.

The two-day tournament saw fierce competition, but our boys rose to the challenge with skill, teamwork, and determination.

Day One:
The tournament opener was a thrilling encounter against the strong Otago Boys’ High School side, widely considered the favorites. CBHS held their nerve in a tightly contested match, securing a 7-6 victory, with Year 11 Alexander Foulds scoring two decisive goals in the final five minutes. From there, momentum was on our side as we stormed to convincing wins over Shirley Boys’ High (7-2) and Christchurch Girls’ High (10-3).

Day Two:
CBHS started the day in dominant fashion, showcasing their defensive strength and attacking precision in a 16-0 victory over Christchurch Girls’ High. This set up a high-stakes rematch in the final against Otago Boys’ High School, who were eager to turn the tables. Despite challenging, windy conditions, the team dug deep in a hard-fought battle, securing a 4-3 win to claim the South Island Championship title.

Notably, this marks the first time CBHS has gone undefeated in the tournament, a testament to the team's dedication and skill.

The victorious squad included Will Foulds, Lachie Foulds, Alex Foulds, Ferdi Tan, Oliver Finn, Richie Allen, Oliver Clark, George Walker, Luke Mitchell, and captain Ridley Bluett.

A huge congratulations to the entire team for their resilience and incredible achievement—South Island Champions 2025!

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Senior A Volleyball Team Impress at NZ Secondary Schools Championships

The CBHS Senior A Volleyball team made an exciting return to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships in Palmerston North, competing on the national stage for the first time in many years. After a strong showing at the Canterbury Volleyball Championships, where they qualified as the 9th-ranked team in the region, they entered the tournament ranked 59th out of 100 teams—ready to prove themselves against the best in the country.

The boys started their campaign on a high note, securing a dominant 2-0 victory (25-13, 25-19) against Rotorua Boys’ High School. Their next match was a hard-fought battle against Massey High School, narrowly missing out in a 2-1 loss (25-20, 21-25, 9-15). These results placed CBHS in Division 4, where they continued to compete fiercely.

Pool play began on Tuesday, with the boys pushing top teams to their limits. They showed grit against Otūmoetai Senior B (20-25, 22-25) and Marlborough Boys’ College (14-25, 23-25) before bouncing back with an impressive 2-0 victory (27-25, 25-19) over Ormiston Senior College, boosting their confidence.

As the competition intensified, the team played in a thrilling late-night crossover match against Hillmorton High School (starting at 9:30 pm!). They delivered one of their best performances of the tournament, narrowly missing out in a 2-1 loss (25-14, 21-25, 17-19).

Determined to finish strong, the boys dug deep in their final match against Waiopehu College, securing a hard-fought 2-1 win (25-22, 17-25, 14-16) to claim 11th place in Division 4 and 55th overall—an improvement of four places from their initial seeding!

This tournament was an incredible experience for the team, testing their resilience, teamwork, and skill at a national level. The four-place national ranking improvement is a testament to their hard work, and with this foundation, CBHS volleyball is set for an even stronger showing in the future.

Well done, team!

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CBHS Year 10 Cricket Team Impresses at Festival Tournament

The CBHS Year 10 cricket team recently participated in the Cricket Festival Tournament held in Christchurch, delivering outstanding performances across all five rounds. Under the guidance of Coach Mitch Rodden, the team demonstrated resilience and skill, navigating through challenging moments while upholding the school’s core values both on and off the field.

Throughout the tournament, CBHS engaged in several closely contested matches, showing determination and teamwork. They secured two thrilling victories early in the competition before facing tough opposition in the later rounds.

Tournament Results:

• Round 1: WIN - CBHS Colts Y10 Festival 9/102 (20) defeated Cashmere HS Colts 10/88 (18.1) – Win by 14 runs

• Round 2: WIN - CBHS Colts Y10 Festival 9/101 (20) defeated St Thomas Festival Colts 9/98 (20) – Win by 3 runs

• Round 3: LOSS - St Andrew’s Festival Colts XI 6/127 (20) defeated CBHS Colts Y10 Festival 10/86 (18.5) – Loss by 41 runs

• Round 4: LOSS - Burnside HS Colts 6/119 (17.5) defeated CBHS Colts Y10 Festival 10/118 (19.2) – Loss by 4 wickets

• Round 5: LOSS - Cashmere HS Colts 7/163 (32.1) defeated CBHS Colts Y10 Festival 10/159 (38.1) – Loss by 3 wickets

Despite finishing with a 2-3 record, the team gained invaluable experience, showcasing their skills under pressure and proving their ability to compete at a high level. The tournament provided a fantastic learning opportunity, and the team can take great pride in their efforts.

A huge thank you to Coach Mitch Rodden for his leadership and to the players for their commitment and sportsmanship throughout the competition. The future looks bright for this talented group of cricketers!

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Caleb & Braxton Carstairs Shine at New Zealand Jet Ski Nationals

Caleb and Braxton showcased their incredible talent at the New Zealand Jet Ski Nationals recently, delivering outstanding performances that saw both boys finish on the podium. Competing against some of the best riders in the country, they demonstrated skill, determination, and resilience throughout the event.

Their efforts in a highly competitive field highlight not only their individual abilities but also their commitment to the sport. A huge congratulations to Caleb and Braxton for their success—we look forward to seeing what they achieve next!

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CBHS Skiers Shine on the World Stage

Christchurch Boys’ High School athletes Hamish Henderson (Year 13) and Joe Cookson (CBHS 2023) had the incredible honour of representing New Zealand at the Junior World Freeride Ski & Snowboard Championships in Kappl, Austria, this past January.

Competing against the best young freeriders from around the world, both Hamish and Joe delivered outstanding performances. Hamish secured a top-10 finish, placing 9th in the Ski Men’s category, while Joe finished 14th—an exceptional achievement on the world stage.

Hamish continued his European campaign shortly after the championships, competing in a junior freeride event in Montafon, Austria, where he placed 7th. His momentum carried him to the United States, where he capped off his season with an impressive 2nd-place finish at a Junior Freeride competition in Snowbird, Utah.

These results highlight the incredible talent and dedication of CBHS athletes in the world of freeride skiing. Hamish and Joe have done their school and country proud, showcasing their skills on some of the most challenging terrain in the world. Congratulations to both on an amazing season!

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CBHS Water Polo Teams Impress at South Island Championships

Christchurch Boys' High School had a strong presence at the South Island Water Polo Championships, entering three teams in a highly competitive tournament. All teams showed resilience, growth, and skill, with some thrilling performances throughout the event.

Blue Team (Development Squad)

Comprised mainly of Year 9, 10, and 11 players, the CBHS Blue team displayed immense progress with each game. Despite facing tough competition, they fought hard and nearly secured a draw against St Andrew’s College A in their second-to-last match—an impressive effort from this developing squad.

Prem B Team

The Prem B team navigated their pool play well, finishing third and advancing to the quarter-finals. A hard-fought battle against Christ’s College resulted in a 9-4 loss, pushing them into the 5th/6th playoff. In a dramatic match, CBHS fought back from a two-goal deficit late in the game to level the score. With just 20 seconds remaining, a timeout set up an opportunity for a last-minute victory, but the shot narrowly missed. The game was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, with CBHS narrowly falling to King’s A after six successful penalties in a row.

Prem A Team – Runners-Up

The Prem A team dominated their pool, winning all four games with ease. In the semi-final, they put on a commanding performance against a strong Marlborough team, securing an 18-3 victory.

The final saw CBHS face off against St Bede’s College, one of the powerhouse teams in South Island water polo. CBHS got off to a flying start, bouncing back from an early goal to score five unanswered and take a 5-1 lead. However, as the game progressed, the scoring dried up, and St Bede’s gradually clawed their way back into contention. A few missed opportunities and defensive errors saw St Bede’s take the lead. Despite a late push and multiple exclusions against the opposition, CBHS couldn't capitalize and fell just short, finishing runners-up with a 10-7 loss.

A massive thank you to our dedicated parents, supporters, and team staff—managers Jo Carrell, Kylie Hansen, and Madlen Shaw, along with coaches Tim Chambers, Ben Bone, and Eli Teokotai. Your commitment and support continue to drive the success of our water polo program.

Well done to all players for an incredible tournament!

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Charlie Somerville Finishes Polo Season on a High – Selected for NZ Schools Team Tour to Zambia

After a long and demanding domestic polo season, Charlie has wrapped up his campaign in outstanding fashion, finishing as Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the Schools Tournament held recently.

It has been a season filled with commitment, growth, and exceptional performances, and this final tournament was no different. Charlie's determination, skill, and leadership on the field stood out among his peers, earning him the well-deserved MVP title.

Adding to the excitement, Charlie has now been selected to represent the New Zealand Schools Polo Team on an upcoming international tour to Zambia this August. This is a fantastic opportunity for Charlie to showcase his talent on the world stage, experience a new culture, and compete against top international school-level players.

This selection is a testament to Charlie’s hard work throughout the season and reflects the high regard in which he is held within the polo community. Congratulations to Charlie and his support team on a memorable season and best of luck as preparations begin for the Zambian tour!

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MTB report South Island Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Champs- Mt Hutt MTB Park 26th March – 29th March

26th – Cross Country;

The sun was shining and what a setting for some mtb racing. There were some outstanding results today from our XC boys. In the Juniors Ben Davies took the gold in the U15 boys race. Josh Davies also took gold as he lead the field like Ben from start to finish and taking the gold and Andre Free the silver for U20 boys. Then onto the relays this afternoon where first up the u16 boys taking silver, team of Ben Davies, Soren Low and George Kavanagh riding superbly. In the u20 relay, with Josh Davies, Andre Free and Oli McNaughton closing out a tight race for gold. Congratulations to all riders today you showed resilience and commitment to the Blue Black values.

27th – Junior DH

Tough day with great conditions for practice and seeding runs, but the expected rain turned up for final race runs and certainly curtailed many of CBHS boys runs. With Toby Carpenter having a mechanical in his seeding run meant he was off before others and made the most of a dry track to post a time that would take the silver medal in the U14 boys DH. Congratulations Toby and well done to all who raced, clearly a challenging time on course.

Toby below;

28th – Senior DH

Slippery conditions in the morning changed slightly in the afternoon as the track was drying and the times started to drop. There were some outstanding rides from our team today. None more so than non podium riders Xandy Haycock and Mika Toshach. However our elite riders kept true to form with Malik Boatwright taking a good silver despite a fall and Sam Dunnett taking the bronze in the U20 DH race. These boys showed some awesome bike skills on course. Congratulations to all riders for meeting the challenges and representing the school with pride and courage today.

29th – Enduro day; 5 stages

The 2 up and coming riders from yesterday again proved that they have some good riding skills across the 3 disciplines, Xandy Haycock and Mika Toshach.

Podiums today went to Malik Boatwright, taking silver in the U20 Enduro.

But the biggest placing today went to our MTB captain, Mika Toshach, who took the overall top rider over for U20 boys over the 3 disciplines, XCO, DH and Enduro.

Thankyou for the support from Mr Ralston, Mr Dunnett and Mr Mc Naughton and to the parents who Marshalled and supported the team over the 4 days of competition.