Catholic schools kick off in new South Island rugby comp

The tournament features teams from the Crusaders and Highlanders regions in a season-long competition for the first time.

The SIBSN was formally established last year by several schools, including St Bede’s College and St Thomas of Canterbury College from Christchurch. The new competition, which is delivered in partnership with New Zealand sports media company Sportway NZ, will run alongside existing competitions in Canterbury and Otago.

All SIBSN games are being broadcast through a streaming hub, with some matches on TVNZ’s Duke and TVNZ+ platforms.

St Thomas of Canterbury College principal Steve Hart said organisers knew there would be a lot of interest in games, so they wanted to make them accessible for anyone to watch. Students will be involved in some production roles.

Mr Hart said rugby was the “first cab off the rank” for the overarching SIBSN school alliance, and there are greater goals than just a new rugby competition. 

“It’s really about harnessing our collective know-how as leaders of boys’ schools.”

Mr Hart said the SIBSN has four pillars: teaching and learning; character, care and wellbeing; leadership, culture and sport; and belonging.

In the first round of the SIBSN, St Bede’s defeated St Thomas of Canterbury 31-28, after the latter led 21-7 at halftime.

The SIBSN competition sparked controversy when it was first mooted last year, because of concern that co-ed schools would be left out. A compromise was reached after mediation with provincial unions allowed the SIBSN to operate alongside existing competitions.

The coach of the St Kevin’s College Oamaru 1st XV, Justin Fowler, criticised the competition concept as a type of “super league” that would not be good for the game, the Oamaru Mail reported. Mr Fowler said he was speaking in a private capacity.

FULL STORY

The south­ern First XVs to beat (By Tony Smith/Southland Times/Press Reader – registration required)

Schools’ move riles veteran coach | Otago Daily Times Online News (Oamaru Mail)

1st XV Rugby-time. STC (St Thomas of Canterbury College Sports/Facebook)