Posted in: Announcements, Sports News

Sports News Roundup 13 March 2026

BOPSS Athletics Champs

What a day on the track and in the field! 💨🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

On Thursday, 31 Ōtūmoetai College athletes headed to the BOPSS Athletics Championships at the Tauranga Domain. The weather threw everything at us — overcast skies, a chilly wind changing direction all day, and even a splash of afternoon rain — but that didn’t stop our athletes from delivering an outstanding day of performances.

🔥 Records were broken, gold medals were won, and the podium was packed with ŌTC!

🏆 Standout Results:

🥇 Gold Medalists
• Kate Faitl – 3000m Intermediate
• Casey Miller – 100m Intermediate
• Casey Miller – 200m Intermediate
• Daisy Ruthe – 800m Intermediate RECORD 2:16.33
• Daisy Ruthe – 1500m Intermediate RECORD 4:44.82
• Isabelle Duske – 400m Senior
• Cooper Chapman-Taylor – Long Jump Intermediate
• Georgia Cook – Javelin Intermediate

🥈 Silver Medalists
• Ava Bryant – 3000m Intermediate
• Mackenzie Hetherington – 800m Intermediate
• Maia Basile – 800m Senior
• Eliza Dunn – 400m Intermediate
• Kate Faitl – 1500m Intermediate
• Georgia Cook – Shot Put Senior

🥉 Bronze Medalists
• Isabelle Duske – 100m Senior
• Tim Ford – 200m Intermediate
• Isabelle Duske – 200m Senior
• Corban Tonks – 1500m Junior
• Maia Basile – 1500m Senior
• Isabelle Duske – Long Jump Senior
• Georgia Cook – Discus Senior
• Izzy Walker – High Jump Junior
• Cassidy Wright – High Jump Intermediate

💥 Special mention to Daisy Ruthe for an incredible double-record performance in the 800m and 1500m!

Massive congratulations to all athletes who represented ŌTC with pride and determination. The future of athletics at ŌTC is looking incredibly strong!

#ŌTC #BOPSSAthletics #TrackAndField #PodiumPower 🥇🥈🥉

BOPSS Swimming

What a huge day in the pool! 🏊‍♀️💦

On Tuesday, a big crew of Ōtūmoetai College swimmers headed to the Baywave TECT Aquatic & Leisure Centre for the BOPSS Swimming Championships — and the results were outstanding! 🔥

Leading the charge was Georgia Duske, who absolutely dominated the pool with an incredible five individual wins (if only there were gold medals to hand out! 😄):
🥇 100m Backstroke – Intermediate
🥇 100m IM – Intermediate
🥇 50m Freestyle – Intermediate
🥇 50m Backstroke – Intermediate
🥇 100m Freestyle – Intermediate

And Georgia wasn’t finished there… she anchored the Girls Freestyle Relay team to another victory alongside Chloe Whittington, Rinnon Dong and Heidi Young to cap off a phenomenal day! 🥇🏊‍♀️

To top it off, Georgia also added:
🥈 50m Butterfly – Intermediate

👏 Another athlete making waves was Heathe Hopkins, collecting an impressive set of podium finishes:
🥈 50m Breaststroke – Boys 13 & Under
🥈 50m Backstroke – Boys 13 & Under
🥉 50m Butterfly – Boys 13 & Under
🥉 100m IM – Boys 13 & Under

And rounding out the podium results:
🥉 Tom Balmer – Boys 14–15 100m Backstroke – Intermediate

A massive congratulations to all our swimmers who represented ŌTC with pride, determination and plenty of speed in the water! 💪

Finally, a huge thank you to our wonderful parent helper Paula Neems for giving up her time to be our official timekeeper for the day. Volunteers like Paula help make these events possible — we really appreciate your support! 🙌

#ŌTC #BOPSSSwimming #MakingWaves #SwimFast 🏊‍♂️💥

 

BOPSS 3×3

Friday 6th March we had four ŌTC 3×3 basketball teams hit the courts at Mercury for the Bay Champs, going head-to-head with some tough competition from around the region.

Three of our teams powered their way into the semi-finals, narrowly missing a finals spot but showing serious resilience to bounce back and claim 3rd place in their playoffs. 💪

A special shout-out to our ŌTC Girls, who stepped up in the Girls Division One competition and finished an impressive 3rd overall — an awesome achievement! 👏

Massive thanks to our four amazing adult managers for supporting our ballers throughout an action-packed day. Your time and energy make these opportunities possible!

#ŌTC #OTCBasketball #BayChamps #3x3Basketball #OTCPride

Grit & Glory: ŌTC Rowers make their mark at Karapiro

The early morning mist hanging over Lake Karapiro last weekend set a dramatic scene for the three day North Island Secondary School (NISS) Rowing Championships, where a dedicated squad of 19 Ōtūmoetai College rowers tested their mettle against the best in the North Island. Competing in a massive field of other secondary schools, the ŌTC squad showcased the true meaning of resilience.

The schedule was grueling, with many athletes fronting for up to three high-stakes races a day. The squad’s persistence paid off, with the green and white blades featuring strongly throughout the heats and finals. Each athlete represented ŌTC with pride and determination, reaching four C finals, five B finals and 4 A finals.

Beyond the results, it was the team’s integrity and work ethic that stood out. Facing elite competition, the ŌTC rowers proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, heading home with their tired heads held high and eyes firmly set on the upcoming Maadi Cup in ten days.

BOPSS Futsal

Huge effort from our four ŌTC teams at the BOPSS Futsal Bay Champs at Mercury Baypark, who left everything on the court, putting their bodies on the line in fast-paced, high-intensity games all day! 💪⚡ The energy, skill, and determination on display made for some awesome futsal action.

Best of luck to our teams heading to Regionals and Nationals during Summer Tournament Week — we’re right behind you!

#OTCSport #Futsal #BayChamps #SummerTournamentWeek

Dr Craig Harrison

🎙️ COMING TO TAURANGA: Dr Craig Harrison — Under Pressure 💥

We’re so fortunate to work closely with Dr Craig Harrison — a trusted speaker who has inspired our school community for the past three years. Now, Craig is taking his powerful message on the road with Under Pressure — a must-see tour all about helping youth athletes thrive in the hyper-competitive world of sport. ⚽🏀🏉🎾
🌟 If you’re a parent, whānau or caregiver with sporting tamariki and rangatahi, this event is for YOU.
Craig will share valuable knowledge, practical guidance and real-world strategies to support kids under performance pressure — on and off the field.
📅 Tuesday 17th March
📍 Tauranga
🎟️ We HIGHLY recommend booking your tickets now via Event Finder.
Let’s come together to help our young athletes flourish. 💪💛

Bureta Physiotherapy 2026

We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news for our school community — ŌTC has a brand-new partnership with Bureta Physiotherapy! 🙌

This means we’ll now have a qualified physio based onsite at school, providing professional support for both students and staff. Whether it’s a sports niggle, injury recovery, or help with keeping your body feeling its best, having a physio right here makes it easier than ever to get the care you need.

How to book an appointment:

  1. Jump onto Bureta Physio’s website

  2. Select ŌTC as your location

  3. Choose a time that suits you

Easy, quick, and right here at school — we can’t wait for everyone to benefit from this awesome new service! 💪

Football 2026 – Registration

Ōtūmoetai College invites all students interested in playing football in 2026 to register their interest for the upcoming season.

From 2026, Ōtūmoetai College will manage the football registration process directly, taking over from the Ōtūmoetai Football Club. The College will also oversee and conduct the official selection process for all Junior and Senior teams.

Team Categories

  • Junior Boys & Girls – Years 9 & 10
  • Senior Boys & Girls – Years 11, 12 & 13 (1st & 2nd XI’s plus social teams)

Selection Process

Selections will take place during Term 1:

  • Week 7: 16–20 March
  • Week 9: 30 March–2 April

Players wanting to play in competitive and performance teams only (1st/2nd XI or Junior A/B)

When: Week 7, 3.30-4.45pm

Where: College fields

Girls- Tuesday 17th March

Senior boys- Wednesday 18th March

Junior boys- Thursday 19th March

All students wishing to be considered for a team must complete the online registration form (link provided below) prior to attending selections.

Completing the registration form ensures you receive all relevant communication regarding trial times, expectations, and season information.

Enquiries

For further information, please contact:
Nathan Farey
Teacher in Charge of Football
📧 nfarey@otc.school.nz

We look forward to welcoming players across all year levels for another strong season of Ōtūmoetai College Football. ⚽

Basketball 2026 – Registration

Do you wish to represent Ōtūmoetai College in Basketball this season?

Ōtūmoetai College invites all interested students to register for the 2026 Basketball season. We are committed to providing both competitive and social playing opportunities to suit a range of abilities and experience levels.

Team Opportunities

We will be conducting a Selection Process for the following teams:

  • Junior Boys – Years 9 & 10
  • Senior Boys – Years 11, 12 & 13
  • Girls Teams – Junior and Senior levels

Selected teams will compete in the Tauranga City Basketball Association (TCBA) leagues:

  • Wednesday Night League – Competitive Grade
  • Friday Night League – Social Grade

Further league information can be found on the TCBA website: https://taurangacitybasketball.co.nz/

ŌTC Social League

In addition to TCBA competitions, Ōtūmoetai College will operate an internal ŌTC Social League (Junior and Senior, Boys and Girls) held:

  • Mondays after school
  • Action Centre

This competition provides:

  • A lower-cost alternative to TCBA social leagues
  • Increased accessibility for students
  • No Friday night travel requirements

Our aim is to ensure every student has the opportunity to participate in Basketball.

Selection Process Dates & Times

All will be held in the Action Centre.

Girls (Years 9 – 13)

  • Tuesday 31 March – Lunchtime
  • Wednesday 1 April – Lunchtime

Junior Boys (Years 9 & 10)

  • Tuesday 24 March – 5:00pm to 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 25 March – 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Senior Boys (Years 11–13)

  • Monday 30 March – 3:30pm to 5:30pm (Open Trial)
  • Tuesday 31 March – 5:00pm to 7:00pm (Invite Only)

What to Bring

  • Appropriate playing clothing
  • Suitable indoor footwear
  • Drink bottle

If you are interested in playing Basketball for Ōtūmoetai College, please complete the registration form linked below.

https://forms.gle/gMi72KLqnZiMdZyy9

For any enquiries, please contact:

Mr Dennis Playford
Teacher in Charge of Basketball
dplayford@otc.school.nz

We look forward to another strong season of ŌTC Basketball.

Basketball Skills Development Sessions

🏀🔥 IT’S GAME TIME! 🔥🏀

Basketball Skills Development Sessions are tipping off next week — perfect time to sharpen your handles, boost your shooting, and level up your game 💪

👟 IMPORTANT: Bring your basketball shoes and a drink bottle
❌ No basketball shoes = no play!

👧 GIRLS

Juniors & Seniors
📍 Action Centre
🕖 Tuesday | 7:15–8:15am
▶️ Starts 13 Feb

👦 BOYS

Seniors
📍 Action Centre
🕔 Tuesdays | 5:00–7:00pm
▶️ Starts 10 Feb

Year 9
📍 Gym
🕛 Wednesdays | Lunchtime
▶️ Starts 11 Feb

Juniors
📍 Gym
🕞 Fridays | 3:30–5:00pm
▶️ Starts 13 Feb

☀️ Please note: Summer sport takes priority
❓ Questions? Pop into the Sports Office or see Mr Playford

Let’s get in the gym and get to work.

RUGBY SEASON IS CALLING!

Rugby training kicks off Tuesday 10 February and it’s time to hit the field and get stuck in 💪

📍 School Field – every Tuesday and Thursday
🕞 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Whether you’ve got your sights set on 1st XV, U16, U14, or Girls Rugby, this is your moment — everyone’s welcome 🙌

👟 Bring your boots
👥 Bring a mate
💥 Bring the energy

Work hard, have fun, and help set the tone for a massive season ahead!

☀️ Please note: Summer sport takes priority
❓ Questions? Swing by the Sports Office or see Mr Ridgway

Let’s go 🏉🔥

HOCKEY | MUSTERS DATES

Thinking about playing hockey this season? 👀

Come along to our Hockey Musters — a great chance to get a feel for it, shake off the rust, and get some stick time before trials roll around.

👉 Open to ALL interested players
❗ NOT compulsory
❗ Muster sessions do NOT count toward trials
🌞 If you’re playing a summer sport, that stays your priority

📅 MONDAYS
📍 Venue: Tauranga Boys’ College

23 February
• Boys: 4–5pm | Girls: 5–6pm

2 March
• Boys: 4–5pm | Girls: 5–6pm

9 March
• Boys: 4–5pm | Girls: 5–6pm

16 March
• Boys: 4–5pm | Girls: 5–6pm

23 March
• Boys: 4–5pm | Girls: 5–6pm

No pressure. No commitment. Just hockey 🏑💥
Grab your stick, bring a mate, and come check it out!

Any questions contact:
Girls TiC – mgeraghty@otc.school.nz
Boys TiC – maldcroft@otc.school.nz

Wrestling at ŌTC

Kids Back to Sport: Your go-to resource for child sports injuries

The website link below unlocks a comprehensive support for parents, health professionals, and teachers & coaches, empowering a safe return to play for injured children.

https://kidsback2sport.com/

SPORT Noticeboard and Digi Screen 

All your current Sport information is on the Action Centre Sports Noticeboard and Digi Screen. Location is opposite the netball court.

Ōtūmoetai College Alumni

We are looking to start an alumni of any previous students of Ōtūmoetai College – if you would like to be included, please click on the link below.

Ōtūmoetai College Alumni

Please follow our College Sports Instagram page & Facebook Sports page, also below is a direct link to our Weekly Fixtures and Results on our website.
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News Roundup 13 March 2026
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