NZSSAA Cross Country Championships
🏃♀️🏆 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN! 🏆🏃♀️
What an incredible weekend for our ŌTC athletes at the NZSSAA Cross Country Championships in Wellington! 🇳🇿
Competing against the country’s best at Trentham Memorial Park, our athletes produced some outstanding performances, with our Junior Girls once again proving they are the team to beat!
🥇 NZSSAA JUNIOR GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
🏆 3-Person Team Race Champions
🏆 6-Person Team Race Champions (Back-to-Back Titles!)
Leading the charge was an outstanding run from Daisy Ruthe, who claimed a phenomenal 2nd place in a field of 114 runners! 🔥
💙 Junior Girls Results (3km)
🥈 Daisy Ruthe – 2nd
⭐ Mackenzie Hetherington – 9th
⭐ Eliza Dunn – 18th
⭐ Georgia Duske – 24th
⭐ Poppy Hinde – 68th
⭐ Heidi Young – 87th
Not to be outdone, our Senior Girls also delivered strong performances on the national stage, with all three athletes finishing in the top half of a highly competitive field of 117 runners.
💙 Senior Girls Results (4km)
⭐ Maia Basile – 38th
⭐ Kate Faitl – 51st
⭐ Ava Bryant – 53rd
To stand on the start line at a national championship is an achievement in itself. To come home with two national team titles is something truly special.
Congratulations to all of our athletes for representing ŌTC with determination, resilience, and pride. We couldn’t be prouder! 👏💙💛
BOPSS Rock Climbing Champs
On Friday 19 June, 12 determined ŌTC climbers took on the best from across the Bay of Plenty at the BOPSS Rock Climbing Championships held at Rocktopia.
Every one of our climbers gave it their all, showing incredible courage, resilience, and determination on the wall. Their efforts were rewarded with an outstanding result — ŌTC has TWO Bay of Plenty Champions! 🔥🙌
🥇 Ayla Radley climbed her way to the top, claiming the Junior Girls Championship against a strong field of 34 competitors.
🥇 Benji Lucca was equally impressive, taking out the Junior Boys Championship ahead of 22 competitors.
What an incredible achievement from both athletes and a fantastic day for ŌTC climbing. We are incredibly proud of all 12 students who represented the college with pride and gave 100% from start to finish.
Congratulations Ayla and Benji — Bay of Plenty Champions! 💙💛
NZSS Climbing Cup Registration
The NZ Secondary Schools Climbing Cup is the national bouldering competition for secondary school students from across Aotearoa. Run by Climbing New Zealand with School Sport NZ, it brings schools together for two days of bouldering each August: qualifying on day one, finals on day two.
Details: NZSS Climbing Cup
Venue: Beta Climbing Gym, 8 Burton Street, Waiwhakaiho, New Plymouth
Date: 31st August and 1st September 2026
Transport / Accommodation: Parent Responsibility
If you’re keen to be entered, please fill in the registration form below.
https://forms.gle/CSVWFVGftM6MgcYT6
Any questions, please email dplayford@otc.school.nz
Get2Go Regional Challenge – Registration
Get2Go is a great entry level adventure outdoor education challenge for Year 9 and Year 10 school students.
ŌTC Basketball July Holiday Programme (Also open to ŌTC Year 9)
Get ready for 3 action-packed days of basketball skills, games, and fun at the Ōtūmoetai College Action Centre! Come for 1 day, 2 days, or everyday!
*** Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th July
*** 9am – 3pm
*** $30 per day
*** Years 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
Train with ŌTC Senior A Boys & ŌTC coaches while helping them on their journey to Regionals in Rotorua! Proceeds are also going towards ŌTC Basketball purchasing a Shooting Machine.
*** Bring your food, drink bottle & game-ready gear
*** Spots will fill FAST — don’t miss out!
*** Please complete the registration form below
https://forms.gle/B1tJiXwuTrwzjSEA9
Any Questions? Please email dplayford@otc.school.nz
ŌTC Netball July Holiday Programme
We are excited to announce our July Netball Holiday Programme, taking place ONE DAY ONLY on Thursday, July 16th from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
This special program is run as a fundraiser to support our players heading to Nationals, so your participation directly helps our netball community!
Spaces are limited, so please secure your spot as soon as possible by registering through the form below:
Thank you so much for your support of Ōtūmoetai College Netball!
Ngā mihi nui,
Lara Richardson lrichardson@otc.school.nz
STRONGER TODAY. PERFORM BETTER TOMORROW. 💪🏽🟢
At Ōtūmoetai College Sport, we believe physical development is not an “extra” — it is an essential part of helping young athletes thrive.
New research reviewing 17 randomised controlled trials across team sports found that structured strength training can:
✅ Reduce injury risk by 30–70%
✅ Improve sprint speed, jump height and power
✅ Enhance movement quality and resilience
✅ Support long-term athletic development and wellbeing
Most importantly, the evidence shows these benefits are especially valuable for youth athletes involved in sports such as football, netball, volleyball, rugby and basketball.
Our ŌTC Strength & Conditioning Programme is designed to do exactly that:
🏋🏽 Build stronger, more resilient athletes
⚡ Improve movement efficiency and athletic performance
🧠 Develop confidence, discipline and physical literacy
🛡 Help reduce preventable injuries and time away from sport
High performance is built over time — not just during a season.
That is why we strongly encourage all ŌTC student-athletes to commit to year-round physical development alongside their sport-specific training. Consistency matters. Quality movement matters. Long-term development matters.
Whether students are aiming for representative honours, premier sport, or simply wanting to enjoy sport for longer and perform at their best, structured S&C training provides the foundation.
- Stronger athletes.
- Healthier athletes.
- Better prepared athletes.
For more information regarding our Strength & Conditioning programme please use the following link – Strength & Conditioning at ŌTC
To read the research paper in full please use the following link – Strength Training : Injury & Performance
Backing Our Teams: Thank You to Our Valued Sports Sponsors
As we head into the winter sports season, we would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the businesses and sponsors who continue to support sport here at Ōtūmoetai College. Their generosity makes a real difference to the opportunities we can provide for our students.
We are incredibly grateful to Barfoot & Thompson for their support of football and volleyball; Ray White – Greg Bopf for basketball; Ray White – Mark Francis and Pak’nSave Cameron Road for rugby; Marshalls Innovation for their support of rugby and hockey; Seeka and Watts & Hughes Construction for football; and Tauranga ITM for hockey.
These partnerships play a vital role in helping our teams thrive, and we greatly appreciate the commitment these businesses show to our students and wider school community.
Strength and Conditioning
Term 2 S&C timetable is locked in. Show up, put in the work, and keep building. Stronger every session.
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:
Select ŌTC as your location
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! 💪
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.
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.
