A great result for the King's 1st Touch Team winning the South Island Secondary School Touch Championship at the weekend in Christchurch.

The Tournament kicked off with a good win over Shirley Boys’ High School (12-5) in the first game. It wasn't without its hiccups with the team going down (8-7) to St Bede’s College in their second pool play game.

A quick post-match and some frank conversations had the team re-set and dominate in their next three games, Nelson College, (10-5); Marlborough Boys’ College, (10-1); and Christchurch Boys’ High School, (8-5), in the semi-finals. The final was closer than expected, with St Bede’s College having a player removed for a period due to foul play, King's eventually managed to take the (6-5) win.

What was pleasing about the final game was the humble nature of the team when they won. They respectfully celebrated internally and without public display highlighting the team's character and brotherhood - that is discipline, respect, accountability, control, trusting the process, and resilience.

The visit to the West Melton Army Training Base on the previous evening also focused on and resonated with those values. For this we thank our Manager Warrant Officer Mr Sean Cassidy.

For a little over 10 years, King's Touch has churned out results like this on three other occasions having finished first in 2017, 2019, 2021 and now 2023. They have been finals contenders as runner-up in three more occasions 2013, 2014 and 2016 with their worst finish in 2018, fifth, and a third placing in 2021. In 2020 and 2022, the South Island Tournament was cancelled due to Covid. 

Not to mention, runner-up placings in the past two National Touch Boys Finals 2020 and 2022 in Rotorua.

What has helped their success?

1. Getting players dedicated to the team environment (culture) Vs the best athletes.

2. Establishing a system that mimics school values (respect, integrity, responsibility etc).

3. A clear direction with realistic benchmarks.
4. A player work force, engaged in the decision-making processes (skills, tactics, discipline etc).
5. A presence in the community where cultural standards are adhered to (tournaments, social games, coaching, voluntary work, refereeing, representative teams).
6. A coaching team that is committed and walks the above values for students to aspire to - on and off the field.
7. A development and identification process that mimics this system at a junior level.
8. Competition at all levels where failure as learnings, are encouraged and boys of all abilities are challenged.
9. A vertical system of role models that encourage growth and development.
10. An environment of accountability, consistency, trust, safety and high expectations.
11. A culture where the standard or worth of the team (individuals) is not determined by the results, but through the journey/growth and process.

Team list:

Year 13 - Dylan Pledger, Tyler Metua

Year 12 - Isaac Kramers, Joel Cook, Jaxon Harvey

Year 11 - Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu, Henry Smale, Joseph Hola, Jake Hill, Niko Boylan, Lachie Jephson

Year 10 - Kairangi Koni, Kairyn Tatana, Jaxon Moeahu

Year 9 - Jack Proctor, Angus Macgregor

DAY 1 – Pool Play, Saturday 25th March 2023

Game 1: Vs Shirley Boys' High School, won (12-5)

Touchdowns: A.Macgregor (3), J.Hill (3), J.Moeahu (2), J.Harvey, J.Proctor, J.Cook, I.Kramers

Game 2: Vs St Bede's College, Lost (8-7)

Touchdowns: J.Cook (2), K.Koni, K.Tatana, D.Pledger, J.Cook, H.Smale

Game 3: Vs Nelson College, won (10-5)

Touchdowns: J.Moeahu (3), J.Cook (2), J.Hola, K.Koni, A.Macgregor, D.Pledger, L.Jephson

DAY 2 – Finals, Sunday 26th March 2023

Game 4: Quarter Final Vs Marlborough Boys College, won (10-1)

Touchdowns: J.Cook (2), J.Hola (2), D.Pledger (2), J.Harvey, J.Tuhega-Vaitupu, L.Jephson, H.Smale

Game 5: Semi-Final Vs Christchurch Boys' High School, won (8-5)

Touchdowns: D.Pledger (2), A.Macgregor (2), J.Hill, J.Hola, J.Harvey, J.Cook

Final - Game 6: Vs St Bede's College, won (6-5)

Touchdowns: D.Pledger (2), J.Hill, J.Cook, J.Harvey, I.Kramers

Final position Division 1 – King’s High School 1st in the South Island