Sport
Everyone at Scots College is encouraged to take part in sports, and with so many codes to choose from, you are certain to find a sport you enjoy.
In summer, we offer athletics, cricket, cycling, golf, life-saving, handball, futsal, rowing, sevens, swimming, tennis, water polo, volleyball, and sailing. In winter, you can choose from badminton, basketball, cross country, football, hockey, netball, rugby, underwater hockey, and plenty more!
We have Directors of Sports who are experts in their codes and provide quality coaching and training for athletes of all abilities and levels.
We also offer our students high performance sports programmes and academies for those wishing to take their sports to the next level, with professional coaching and pathways to leading clubs and universities. This includes our partnership with Tottenham Hotspur and our very popular Cricket Academy.
The sports facilities at Scots College are first class, and include a fully-equipped gymnasium with a multi-purpose court for sports like basketball and netball, as well as playing fields and all-weather outdoor courts. In addition, the Hodge Sports Centre doubles as a second gym and provides a four-lane indoor cricket facility.
Scots College's commitment to sport extends beyond the playing field. Our goal is to instill a lifelong love for physical activity and healthy lifestyles, equipping our students with the skills and knowledge to maintain their wellbeing beyond their time at the College. Sport at Scots College is not just about achieving athletic excellence; it is about nurturing the whole individual and developing a well-rounded character.
Sports Draws and Results
Summer Sports
Cricket
Scots College Cricket Club aims to enhance the sporting performance of all our cricketers, across all age groups, through the provision of skilled coaches, world-class facilities, and providing access to cutting-edge sports science services.
Scots College Cricket Club focuses on delivering highly professional programmes that present students with an opportunity to develop and grow their potential. As well as participating in the College Sport Wellington games, our teams also have the opportunity to play in tournaments, exchanges and traditionals against other schools and colleges around New Zealand.
Recent Successes:
2022
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Henry Christie – New Zealand Under 19s Non-Travelling Reserve
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Henry Christie – Wellington Under 17 Team
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Kaiarahi Brunning – New Zealand Māori Secondary Schools Team
- Charlotte Fuller – Wellington Under 17 Team
2021
- 1st XI Boys – Hunt Cup Winners
Staff:
Liam Roche
Director of Cricket
rochel@scotscollege.school.nz
Clive Venter
Cricket Club Chair
Ivan Tissera
1st XI Boy’s Coach
Floorball
Floorball is a type of indoor hockey, with five players plus a goalkeeper on each team. It is a relatively new sport in New Zealand, but Wellington has the largest club in the country and one of the most competitive leagues.
Scots College has players from most year groups playing in the league, which is played at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Term 1 and Term 4.
Staff:
Cam Sims
Convenor
Futsal
Futsal is a fast-paced type of indoor football, where students develop their skills in quick decision making, intricate footwork, technical ability, and teamwork. Games are played at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre in Wellington.
Futsal continues to grow as a summer sport at Scots, with 14 teams currently registered to play across the College.
Recent Successes:
2024
- A current student has had a number of achievements including winning a bronze medal at the International Futsal Cup on the Gold Coast, and being selected for the Capital Women's Super League Squad, which won the Capital Women's Premier League for Term 1.
2023
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Boys 1st team winning the Wellington Regional Championship on penalties in a pulsating final.
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The senior girls, competing for the first time also did well at regionals, winning the Plate section of regionals.
Staff:
Lee Taylor
Director of Football
Will Struthers
Chair, Scots College Football Club
Golf
The golf coaching programme at Scots College has gone from strength to strength each year, with up to 40 students learning to play, both beginners and those who are more experienced. Lessons begin with the basics such as how to hold the club and hit the ball, and progress to more complex coaching as students move onto the course to play some holes. We are fortunate to be located very close to Miramar Golf Club, and our students play at College Sports Wellington competitions and many other events. The coaching programme runs during Term 1 and Term 4, and all equipment is provided.
Staff:
Barrie Lucas
Convenor
Rowing
The Scots College Rowing Programme is available for Senior School students, and is open to boys and girls. Rowers will be expected to take part in training camps and competitions around the country. The season culminates in the Maadi Cup, which is always a highlight for our rowers.
Recent Successes:
2023
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The rowing team was able to compete at the stunning Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel after being chosen for the New Zealand Club Nationals competition. They thereby participated in a variety of events, with their best finishes coming in the Men's Novice Double (10th place) and Men's Novice Coxed Four (4th place).
Staff:
Jess Turfrey
Director of Rowing
Graeme Yule
Rowing Club Chair
Rugby Sevens
Rugby Sevens is offered during Term 3, when our U15 boys and U18 girls and boys teams participate in the highly anticipated Regional 7s tournament. This event not only showcases the immense talent of our students but also serves as a platform for honing their skills and passion for the game. The stakes are high, as the top two teams in the U18 competition qualify for the prestigious National Condor 7s.
Recent Successes:
2023
- The team won first place in the College Sports Wellington U18 Open Sevens competition, winning the Christian Cullen trophy and qualifying for the National Condor 7s.
Staff:
Dominic Bird
Director of Rugby
Graeme Yule
Rugby Club Chair
Running Club
Staff:
Gabby O'Rourke
Convenor
Sailing
Scots College offers a sailing programme through the TRIYA Academy, located at Evans Bay. The academy was made possible through the generosity of Tup and Gillian Radford. Tup Radford attended Scots College as a boy and became interested in sailing in his teenage years. Wanting to make a contribution to youth sailing, he approached Scots College and together TRIYA was established (Tup Radford Intercollegiate Sailing Academy).
The Sailing Programme is offered to students in Years 9 to 13 during Terms 1 and 4. For further details please visit www.triya.co.nz.
Tennis
Scots College offers our students from Years 3-13 the opportunity to represent their school at inter-school fixtures and tournaments throughout Term 1 and Term 4 each year. It is also a key part of Summer Tournament Week. Recent highlights include Scots College winning both the Girls Singles and the Boys Singles at the 2023 College Sports Wellington Open Tennis Championships, as well as taking home Silver medals at the NZ Secondary Schools Tennis Cup in Christchurch.
Please be aware that students do not receive coaching at school - they must organise their own tennis coaching through a club or professional.
Recent Successes:
2023
- Senior Mixed team won Team of the Year at the College Sports Wellington annual awards.
- One senior student represented NZ in Australia at the U15 level.
- One senior student took the doubles title at the MAPEI Gold Coast Junior International ITF Tournament.
Staff:
Nadine Robinson
Convenor
Touch Rugby
We offer Touch Rugby in Terms 1 and 4 for Years 4-8 girls and boys (mixed teams). Trainings are during school sport time.
There is a Wellington Senior Tournament (Years 11-13) held in Term 1. We enter girls, boys, and mixed teams into this event.
Staff:
Dominic Bird
Director of Rugby
Graeme Yule
Rugby Club Chair
Volleyball
Scots Volleyball is one of the quickest growing sports at the College – our numbers have tripled in the last few years. Coaches are a mix of College staff and external professionals who are current or previous New Zealand Representatives. All trainings take place at Scots College Gym on-site, except for the Premier Teams, who have extra sessions at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre.
Recent successes:
2023
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Senior A Girls undefeated in Term 1 Division 2
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One student representing New Zealand Māori at the Cook Island Tour
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One student selected for Wellington Regional U15 Representation
Staff:
Pesa Morrison
Convenor
Water Polo
Staff:
Cam Sims
Convenor
Winter Sports
Badminton
Badminton continues to enjoy popularity at Scots College, and we have a group of students who play competitively as well as socially. We currently have both girls and boys teams for Years 9-13. Our teams compete in the College Sports Wellington competitions.
Recent Successes:
2023
- Premier Boys team made it to Division 1 of the National Secondary Schools Championships
2022
- Both the Premier Boys and Girls teams made it to the finals in their grade
Staff:
Russell Holmes
Convenor
Basketball
Basketball is a very popular sport at Scots College, with a club that is run by a group of very passionate staff, coaches, and parents. In 2023, 185 students participated in the Scots College basketball programme across 16 teams at a variety of levels. This year also marked the introduction of 3X3 basketball, which is growing rapidly in popularity around the world.
Our Director of Basketball is Miles Pearce, who has over 25 years' experience as both a coach and a player. Miles has represented New Zealand as a Tall Black and has played professionally in the New Zealand NBL and overseas. He has coached all ages and levels, from youth to professional, and has been involved in several high-profile events such as the NBA Asia Pacific Camp and the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Greece.
Our basketball teams compete in the Premier divisions of the College Sport Wellington Leagues, but there are also social teams, which offer students a chance to take part in competitive matches for enjoyment and without the extra traning commitments required by competitive teams.
Staff:
Miles Pearce
Director of Basketball
Richard Kirk
Basketball Club Chair
Football
The Scots College Football Club offers a variety of options for football players of all levels to give football and go and work towards a football future after secondary school. The club hosts teams from Years 7 through to Years 13. The Club’s leading Junior U15 A and Senior 1st XI teams have had great success in the regional and national tournaments.
Our football programme is led by our Director of Football, Lee Taylor, whose professional career has included roles with multiple football clubs and sporting organisations around the world. Lee has worked as a high-performance specialist in professional sport, including roles in Sports Science, Physiotherapy and Coaching – including being Ricki Herbert’s number two as Head of High Performance for the Wellington Phoenix.
The Scots College Football Club provides opportunities for training both team and individualised players, with its talented and experienced coaching team overseen by the Head of Coaching, Kale Herbert. The club also has national and international club relationships, offering opportunities for more experienced players to play club football in addition to College football. These relationships lead to students being able to compete in international tournaments, exchanges, and support towards study or future player pathways.
Tottenham Hotspur and Scots College announced a partnership in 2020 that allows young footballers, female and male, to learn from this world leading Football Club. From 2021, Tottenham Hotspur’s global football development team has worked alongside the College’s own football coaches, using renowned methods taken directly from the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, in order to maximise the potential of young players. The players train regularly in Term 2 with the Tottenham coach, three mornings a week.
Junior Teams
The Football Club Year 7 and 8 programme runs in Terms 2 and 3, where our young players train on Thursday afternoons and play school fixtures throughout the school terms. These fixtures are mid-week games against other colleges. The Head of Coaching runs and oversees these sessions.
Scots has four U15 teams entered in the CSW competiton. All of these teams have a qualified coach and manager, who is a staff member of the College and can coordinate between the club and school.
Senior Teams
Players moving up from the junior team and development squads have the opportunity to play for the College’s top five teams: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd XI Boys, and 1st and 2nd XI Girls. Players in this age group will have the opportunity to play both school and club football with good management from players and coaching staff. If there is demand for a social XI, the College happily facilitates this for the players.
International Football Club Associations:
Scots College Football Club has ties with international football clubs and encourages players at an advanced or elite skill level to play both college and club football with good management from players and coaching staff.
US Scholarship
Scots College have a very good link with US Colleges; this is a fantastic pathway for young players after they leave Scots College to carry on their studies at a high level and also play football within the US College system.
Recent Successes:
2023
- 1st XI Girls were in the Wellington Premier League
2022
- 1st XI was third in the Lotto Premier Boys National Tournament
- 1st XI Girls team qualified for the Premier Girls National Tournament
- 1st XI Girls were in the Wellington Premier League
2020
- U15A won Vaughan Coveny Cup as the Wellington Junior Premier Champions
- 1st XI Boys won the Trevor Rigby Cup
2019
- U15A won Vaughan Coveny Cup as the Wellington Junior Premier Champions
- 1st XI Boys won the Trevor Rigby Cup
Staff:
Lee Taylor
Director of Football
Will Struthers
Chair, Scots College Football Club
Hockey
Scots College has both boys and girls hockey teams throughout the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools, who play in the College Sports leagues as well as tournaments and inter-school fixtures. In 2022, the 1st XI Boys team placed 1st in their pool in the Woolaston Trophy tournament, after being undefeated and scoring 11 goals in 3 games.
Staff:
Cam Sims
Convenor
David Berry
Hockey Club Chair
Netball
Scots College Netball is the fastest growing sporting programme at Scots College, established in only 2020. We are excited about our programme's direction and are looking forward to further growth.
The coaching staff are made up of Ex-Professional Netballers, Representative coaches, College staff, and parents.
Our Netball programme starts with the Junior School (Years 5 and 6) and Middle School (Years 7 and 8), who all play in the local statellite Motu Kairangi competition.
Our Junior programmes begin in Years 9 and 10, and the Senior programme is for Years 11-13, and all play in our local Netball Wellington Centre competition.
We play regular fixtures across all age groups, with traditional fixtures against Whanganui Collegiate and Woodford House. We look forward to extending our relationships with other independant colleges across New Zealand and Australia.
Recent Successes:
2023
- Senior A winning the College Sport Division 1 tournament
- First player to be selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team to tour Australia
- 4 players selected for Māori Representative Team U15 & U17
- 6 players selected for Wellington age group representative teams in U16 & U18 age groups
2022
- Senior A winning Regional Secondary School Division 3 (2nd year in a row)
- Senior A & B, and Junior A winning their Collegiate grades in the NWC competition
- LNISS Tournament Team winning B grade for their first entry into the competition being promoted to A grade for 2023
- Senior A Team being awarded Team of the Year for Scots College Sport prizegiving
- 2 players selected for Regional Development Camp
- 2 players selected for Māori Representative Team U17
- 2 players selected for Wellington age group representative teams U16 & U18
- 1 player selected for the NZ Secondary Schools Squad
2021
- Senior A winning Regional Secondary School Division 3
- Senior A winning Collegiate 1 Grade in the NWC competition
- 2 Players selected for Māori Representative Team
- 1 players selected for Wellington age group representative teams U16
2020
- Senior A, first year in the competition, winning their Collegiate grade and being promoted (first Scots College team in history)
- 1 player selected for Māori Representative Team U17
Staff:
Ngarama Milner-Olsen
Director of Netball & Senior Coach
Elizabeth Manu
Senior Coach
Rona Singer
Junior Coach
Rebecca Milne
Netball Club Chair
Rugby
Rugby has a rich history at Scots College, having been played here since 1916. We have proudly seen Scots Collegians achieve provincial and national representation throughout the years. Our rugby programme is headed up by Dominic Bird, who has an impressive career that has included stints with the Crusaders, Chiefs, and Hurricanes, as well as the All Blacks. In fact, at 2.06m tall, Dominic is well known as the tallest ever All Black!
The focus of the rugby programme at Scots is to provide a positive and enjoyable rugby experience at every level. All students from Year 5 and upwards are welcome to give rugby a go. We use rugby as a tool to inspire our players to have a strong work ethic and help build rounded young men and women.
Coaching is delivered through a mix of experienced qualified coaches and parent volunteers. We offer strength and conditioning and rehabilitation services.
Rugby is played both in the weekend and, at times, during the week, depending on the grade. This includes the highly anticipated school "traditionals" throughout the season. Trainings are usually held after school, with more senior teams also training in the mornings.
Recent Successes:
2023
- Increase in number of Year 7 and 8 boys and girls playing rugby
- Girls’ 1st XV winners of Wellington 2nd division
- 1 student selected for New Zealand Secondary Schools Barbarians
- 2 students selected for New Zealand Condors 7s to France
Staff:
Dominic Bird
Director of Rugby
Graeme Yule
Rugby Club Chair
Table Tennis
Table Tennis is a fast and exciting game that requires quick reflexes, agility, and strategy. At Scots College, it is open to students in Years 9-13, and players take part in the CSW Table Tennis Individual and Team Championships in August.
Recent Successes:
2023
- Winner of Senior Boys Individual at CSW Individual Champtionship
- Winner of Junior Girls Individual at CSW Individual Championship
- Second place in CSW Team Championship
Staff:
Gerald Yang
Convenor
Underwater Hockey
Our underwater hockey athletes have a growing range of opportunities to compete thanks to the numerous regional tournaments and competitions held between Wellington schools.
Recent Successes:
2024
- Junior Open team secured third place at the Centrals Underwater Hockey Tournament and qualified for the National Tournament
2023
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Our Junior Open team qualified for the National Tournament
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Captain of the team was selected to try out for the Under 18 squad.
Staff:
Cam Sims
Convenor
Event-Based Sports
Athletics
Students in Years 9-13 who perform well in the Scots College Championship Athletics as well as students who have performances at interclub events for Athletics clubs, are eligible for selection for CSW Western Zones.
CSW choose the top athletes from all four zones to compete at the CSW Regional Championships, from which the team for the NISS Championships is chosen.
Recent Successes:
2024
- A current Year 13 student competed in the Jennian Homes NZ Track and Field Championships, placing second in the Men's High Jump U20, and third in the Men's Senior High Jump, and has also been invited to compete at the Australian Athletics Championships and the Oceania Athletics Championships.
Important dates 2024:
Term 1 |
20 February |
Scots College Interhouse & Championships Athletics Day (Year 9-13) (Alternative morning programme for Years 7& 8) |
Term 1 |
6 March |
CSW Western Zones |
Term 1 |
26 March |
CSW Regional Championships |
Term 1 |
6-7 April |
NISS Championships |
Term 4 |
5-8 Dec |
NZSS Championships |
Staff:
Gabby O'Rourke
Convenor
Tony Rogers
Coach
Cycling
Cycling began at Scots College 18 years ago with a group of passionate parents and teachers. The training is more centred on road cycling with a racing focus, but there is also training for triathalon, mountain biking, cyclocross, and track cycling.
Through joining cycling at Scots College, we hope to help students develop a love of cycling, as well as support cyclists to achieve their cycling aspirations. This comes through a consistent and professional approach to training and development.
National races: Cambridge (end of Term 2), Palmerston North (end of Term 3)
Local races: throughout June/July.
Wednesday and Friday: preschool training rides.
Recent Successes:
2023
- A Collegian raced at the world championships in Scotland.
- One student was third at North Island championships Road Race.
2021
- One student was U17 National Club champion and North Island Road Race winner.
2019
- One student riding as a pro rider in the US.
Staff:
Rob Kilvington
Convenor
Cross Country
Cross Country is open to students in Years 7-13. Students are selected to attend a variety of events based off of their performances at the College Cross Country Championships.
Staff:
Michelle Flood
Convenor
Dragon Boating / Waka Ama
Dragon Boating / Waka Ama is open to students in Years 12 and 13, and the team competes in the Wellington Dragon Boat Festival and the NZSS Waka Ama Championships in March.
Staff:
Callum Brookes
Convenor
Royal Life Saving
Students who are older than 14 years old and that are able to swim 400m continously can participate in the Royal Life Saving Bronze Medallion Programme.
To learn more about the programme, please visit the Royal Life Saving NZ website.
Staff:
Gabby O'Rourke
Convenor
Snow Sports
Snow Sports at Scots are a single-event entry and occur throughout the winter period. We offer entry into these events for any of our students who wish to compete. Students are notified about the events throughout the winter season.
Staff:
Cam Sims
Convenor
Swimming
Swimming is available in Terms 2 and 3 for students in Years 9-13. Swimmers train with their local clubs. For school events, registration occurs through the schools and notifications of these will occur through the school notices. The students can compete in the following competitions in 2024:
- CSW Regionals
- NZSS Championships
- Huia Cup
Recent Successes
2022
- Huia Cup Champions
- NZSS Champions – one student won for 50m Freestyle, and one student won for 50m, 100, and 200m Butterfly and 400m Freestyle
2021
- NZSS Champions one student won for 50m Freestyle
Staff:
Callum Brookes
Convenor
Honours Recognition
At Scots College, we take pride in our students’ achievements, both in and out of school, and their accomplishments are acknowledged throughout the school year with a range of Awards and Colours. Our Honours Recognition celebrates those students who have achieved excellence in a competition or involvement beyond the College at a national level for secondary school competitions or above. Students with Honours Recognition are presented with an Honours Tie, certificate, and a framed photo on our Achievers Wall.
If you are a current student or parent of a current student who has achieved excellence in sports at a national or regional level, please click the button to let us know.