Sport
At Riccarton High School, we aim to foster and promote sporting opportunities for young people by encouraging them to practice and play sport in a fun and friendly atmosphere. We also ensure the maximum use of school assets, equipment and facilities for the benefit of our entire community.
Our sporting success depends not only on good management practices but also on the volunteer time of people from our community – whether that is teachers, senior students, community members or parents. If you are interested in helping out with coaching or managing a team, please contact our Sports Coordinator, Ms Rebecca Dodge RebeccaD@riccarton.school.nz.
Riccarton offers a wide range of sports each year. Our spacious fields, all-weather netball and tennis surfaces and gymnasiums, provide great facilities for sport and the significant commitment by staff, senior students and parents encourages excellent participation rates.
School teams are involved in competitions on Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and a number of evenings during the week. Other sporting opportunities on offer are our annual winter and summer exchanges with Kaikorai Valley College from Dunedin, and winter exchanges with Geraldine and Westland High Schools. Many of our sports offer opportunities for students to attend tournaments or competitions. A high level of fitness and well-being is expected of our students on these trips. There is an expectation that students engage in regular physical conditioning in the weeks leading up to the tournament. Participation in these excursions requires a minimum 3+ average on student’s fortnightly reports. Additionally, students are required to stay current with their schoolwork during their absence.
Summer Sports
Volleyball
Volleyball is one of Riccarton’s strongest sports, winning many Canterbury titles over the years. The school has several teams at each age group that compete over the summer in Term one and Term four. The school offers both indoor and beach volleyball but focuses more on indoor discipline.
Games are played on Mondays after school with training throughout the week before school, during lunchtime, or after school.
Trials and registration for volleyball are at the end of Term three and the start of Term one.
Tournaments – There are several tournaments for Year 11-13 students in Term one, including National Championships in Palmerston North. The Year 9-10 teams play in Term one as well but their main tournaments take place in Term four.
Equipment – No equipment is needed for volleyball other than a pair of indoor-specific sports shoes.
Cricket
Riccarton offers cricket for boys and girls from Years 9-13. The boy’s teams compete in the Saturday competition, with the First XI also competing in the First XI Schools Cup. Cricket takes place in Terms 1 and 4 and teams train after school on Mondays and Thursdays. The Riccarton Cricket Club has a strong relationship with the school and comes down throughout the week to help with coaching our players.
Tournaments -The First XI takes part in a T20 one-day tournament as well as opportunities to play out at The Willows Cricket Ground against invitational teams.
Equipment – Players generally have their own gear however the school has equipment that can be lent to players.
Touch Rugby
Touch has been one of Riccarton’s stronger sports in recent times. Teams play games on Wednesday after school with either a bus or van available to take them to their games. We usually have four teams – Year 9/10 Girls and Boys as well as Senior Boys and Girls teams.
Tournaments – The senior teams compete in both the Canterbury and South Island Tournaments which both take place in Christchurch in Term one.
Equipment – There is no equipment needed for this sport but touch boots would be useful.
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is a summer sport played in Terms one and four. This is a new sport to the school but has become popular very quickly with the school having several teams at both the junior and senior levels. Games take place on Wednesday after school with training at lunchtime throughout the week.
Tournaments – the teams will often play in local Canterbury School tournaments.
Equipment – no equipment is needed as it is provided.
The teacher in charge of Ultimate Frisbee is Mr Paewai.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a year-round sport, but students can choose to do it term by term. Each Wednesday students get taken to YMCA’s Clip’n’Climb to practice their climbing. Students are required to get their own way home from here as finishing times will differ for each student.
Competitions – students participate in the South Island Competition in Term three each year.
Equipment – all climbing equipment can be hired at Clip’n’Climb, though some climbers like to have their own equipment.
Softball
Softball is growing here at Riccarton, in previous years we have combined with other local schools and attended the South Island Competitions, placing within the top 3 most times we compete.
Tennis
Tennis is played over the summer in Terms one and four. The school generally has a few teams in both the junior and senior grades. Games are played on Wednesday after school against other school teams at venues around Christchurch. Teams need to have someone available to take them to games when the school isn’t able to provide them with transport. Teams don’t have organised training but have access to the tennis courts at the school.
Equipment – Players must supply their own tennis racket for games.
Korfball
We have both Junior and Senior teams that compete in our local “MIXX” competition played on Friday evenings in Term 1 and 4.
In Term 1 our seniors compete in a local tournament, and in Term 4 our juniors also compete in a tournament.
Equipment: No equipment necessary.
Ki O Rahi
Ki O Rahi is a fast-emerging game with traditional Māori roots. With the sport growing at Riccarton (and around New Zealand), it is a great sport to get involved in.
Competitions – Riccarton has junior and senior teams that compete in local tournaments during Terms one and four.
Check out how to play here.
Athletics & Swimming
Canterbury Championships – Students have the opportunity to represent Riccarton High School at the Canterbury Championships. Last year we took nearly 20 students to the Canterbury Athletic Champs, and 5 students to the Swimming Champs. This takes place in Term one.
South Island/Nationals – Each year students from Riccarton compete at National and South Island events. This is organised by the students and their families as it is usually just a very small group attending. Athletics Nationals are in Term four, with Swimming Nationals in Term three.
Winter Sports
Badminton
Badminton is played in Terms two and three. This is one of the most popular sports at Riccarton with the gym being full several times a week with training and games. Last year our senior teams competed at the Canterbury Championships.
Students can either play in the Canterbury School Sports League where teams compete against other schools each Wednesday after school and train with a Badminton Canterbury coach, or they can play in the local league that plays weekly games against students from Riccarton High School and other neighbouring schools.
Equipment – Players must supply their own racket but shuttlecocks are supplied for all players. When using the gym players must wear sports shoes.
Badminton is run by Mr. Baars.
Basketball
Basketball is another one of Riccarton High School’s most popular sports for both boys and girls, with up to 15 teams playing. We have teams of all ages that compete on Friday nights around Christchurch against other schools. Teams train after school or during lunchtime throughout the week.
Our Senior A Boys team competes in the Thompson Trophy on Tuesday nights. These are the premiere school basketball competitions in Canterbury.
Tournaments – we look to send our Senior A Boys and Girls teams to tournaments each year. These take place in NZ Secondary Schools’ winter tournament week.
Equipment – no equipment is needed other than a pair of indoor sports shoes.
Football
Football at Riccarton is played during Terms two and three on Wednesdays after school.
In the past, we have had multiple teams in both boys and girls grades, ranging from junior to senior year levels.
Equipment – players just need to supply their own pair of football boots.
Hockey
Both the girls and boys teams have matches on Monday afternoons at either 4:00pm or 5:00pm at Nunweek Park. Occasionally, teams travel to Rangiora to compete at the Waimakariri turf, with games scheduled for 4:30pm. A school van is provided for each team, accommodating up to 10 students for transportation to games. Additionally, a 6-a-side game is offered on Wednesdays after school.
Training sessions take place on Thursdays after school at Ngā Puna Wai turf.
Tournaments – The girls team typically participates in the South Island Tournament (Jenny McDonald Cup).
Equipment – Students are required to have a hockey stick, shin pads, a mouthguard, and appropriate socks.
Netball
Riccarton High School competes in the Canterbury School Sports Wednesday netball competition over Terms two and three. We have teams for all students that are wanting to play so is a great sport for players of any ability or experience. Training takes place here at school at either lunchtime or straight after school.
Netball is a really big sport here at Riccarton so teams require help from parents to make things run smoothly. Let us know if you have a parent or someone keen on helping out with some coaching!
The Senior A Girls team plays in the SuperNet Reserve competition on Wednesday afternoons/evenings, which takes place at Ngā Puna Wai, against top teams from other schools. They also attend the South Island Schools Netball Tournament every year during winter tournament week.
Table Tennis
Table Tennis is played over Terms two and three at Riccarton with spots for all students wanting to play no matter what their level of experience.
Teams participate in the weekly school league held on Wednesdays at the Canterbury Table Tennis Centre located on Blenheim Road. The competition involves teams from various schools across Christchurch. Training takes place once a week in the school hall on Tuesdays after school.
Equipment is provided but we recommend having your own bat.
Rugby
Girls Rugby – currently, Riccarton High School joins alongside other schools to create our girls rugby team.
Boys Rugby – we have a relationship with Burnside Rugby Club which is our local club. If you are keen to play rugby this year Burnside Rugby are always welcoming new players. Currently, Riccarton High School has a combined boys team with Hillmorton and Hornby High School.
