Sport

Background
Whanganui High School has a very strong athletics programme and have shown its great depth especially in sprints and hurdles in local, regional and national competitions.
A look in the local rankings shows how well our WHS and ex WHS athletes have been going in competition. WHS is regularly ranked as one of the top athletic schools in NZ.
It has been the top performing sport at national level for WHS over the last 6 years with 8 national titles and 27 medals overall achieved at the national secondary school’s premier competition, with graduating students going on to achieve scholarships to U.S colleges.
Athletics also acts as a conditioning base for other codes within the school and many athletes within the programme have gone on to represent the school at high levels in other codes due to their excellent conditioning.

Structure
As well as our annual Athletics sports, Whanganui High School students compete and train through the school.  We have a year-round programme with emphasis on Athletics in summer and Cross Country and Conditioning during winter. This also fits in with winter sports requirements especially for juniors.

Competitions
Club nights are every Tuesday evening Terms 1 & 4, 6:30pm at Cooks Gardens.

School Athletics this year (whole school, year 9-13) will be held at Cooks Gardens, Term 1, on Wednesday 26 February.
Whanganui Secondary Schools competition is on Tuesday 18 March.
North Island Championships are in Hamilton on 5-6 April.
N.Z.S.S Championships are in Hawkes Bay on 5-7 December 2025.

Training Days:
Monday after school until 4:30pm, with a specific component for Y9 / new athletes.
Tuesday is club night (optional).
Thursday afterschool for all until 4:30pm and..
Saturday mornings 9:30am at Cooks Garden or other venues.
There is an entry level and performance group to suit age and experience.

Cost:
$45 (approx) per student for membership to Athletics Wanganui for club competitions.

Contact: Mrs L Murphy for details or behind the gym on training days @ 3.15pm.
Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coaches: Mr Greg Fromont & Mrs Elaine Baker

Badminton is held in Term 2 and 3, Fridays after school in the Te Wehi and Te Mana Gymnasiums from 2.05pm – 3.30pm.
There will also be a Secondary Interschool competition, usually in Term 3 on Monday after school.

Tournaments this year:
Juniors - Central 6 competition (Term 3, 5 August).
Winter Tournament Week - Top Teams, year 9-13. (Term 3 – Week 7).

Cost:
$10 (approx) WHS. $20 (approx) Interschool.
Separate charge for Tournaments and Exchanges.

Equipment: Shuttles are provided. Please bring your own racket.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Mr Graham Hall

Played on Friday evenings at Springvale Stadium 4:00pm – 8:30pm.

This year our Junior and Senior Boys will be playing in the Competitive League on Friday night vs other Secondary School teams.

Social Teams (both Snr & Jnr) play on Friday nights in the Whanganui Secondary School League.

Practices will be confirmed by the coach.

Cost: $55 (approx) for Fridays; $30 for Warm-Up shirt (optional)

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Miss Lisa Martin
Coach: Karney Herewini

Played on Friday evenings at Springvale Stadium between 4:00pm - 8:30pm

The Senior A and Junior A teams usually play on Thursday nights in the Premier League.

Social teams play on Friday nights in the Whanganui Secondary School League.

Practices will be decided by coach and each team, and will normally be after school.

Cost: $55 (approx) for Fridays; $30 for Warm-up shirt (optional)

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Miss Lisa Martin
Coach: Marie Josephs

The 1st XI and Junior team play inter-school matches and are in the T20 weekly competition.

We also play Inter-school Sports Exchange matches.

Training is after school on a Friday.

Play on Wednesdays & Saturdays

Cost: TBC once teams are sorted.
*Plus extra costs for interschool away games.

Terms: 1 & 4

Teachers in Charge: Ms Rebecca Kennedy & Mr Graham Hall
1st XI Coach: Mr Steve Meredith
Junior Coaches: Mr Hamish McGregor & Mr Aaron Toy.

Girls' Cricket is a developing sport at Whanganui High School.
We have a 1st XI squad.
No experience is necessary to start playing, just a good attitude and a willingness to participate.

Training is after school for one hour.
Play on Wednesday.

Cost: $20 (approx) per term
All equipment is provided and the girls wear PE tops and black shorts/pants.

Terms: 1 & 4

Teachers in Charge: Ms Rebecca Kennedy & Mr Graham Hall.
1st XI Coach: Ms Gabrielle McKenzie

Structure
As well as our annual Cross Country Champs, Whanganui High School students compete and train through the school. We have a year-round programme with emphasis on Cross Country and Conditioning during winter and Athletics in summer. The Cross Country programme caters for winter sports players.

Competitions
The WHS School Cross Country takes place on Wednesday 7 May at Whanganui High School. Year 9 and Year 10 students will be preparing for this in PE classes.

From the school event, individuals will be selected for the Whanganui Secondary School’s competition, which takes place on Tuesday 27 May.

Our most successful runners will then be invited to represent Whanganui High School at the National Secondary Schools' Cross Country event in Whangarei on 14/15 June.

Training Days: Generally, Tuesday and Thursday at school from 3:15pm, with some Saturday morning trainings close to competitions.

Cost: WHS Cross Country, no charge. WSS Cross Country, $15-$20 (approx)

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Coaches: Mr Greg Fromont & Mrs Elaine Baker

Structure: Whanganui High School has its own, well equipped gym located above Te Mana gym. The Fit Club contains weights and cardio equipment, plus a qualified fitness instructor who is supervising and assisting the student members to gain confidence and improve on their hauora.

WHS Sport Teams: We encourage all our sports teams to utilise this space for group sessions as part of their weekly training. This could consist of spin bike classes, circuit training and/or specific sports and conditioning for their particular sport (Costs will be incorporated into selected sports for the use of the gym)

Costs: $15 per term or $50 Full Year (please collect permission form from the Student Centre)

Training Days:
Monday to Thursday – 3:05 -4:30pm
Friday 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Attend as often as you like during these hours.

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Coach: Mrs Leeann Lock

1st XI play in the Manawatu Secondary School League on Wednesdays in Terms 2 & 3, Sports Exchanges and Tournament Week.
All other players participate through the local Football clubs.

Training is after school on WHS fields.

Cost: $120.00 (approx) season. Separate charges for Exchanges and Tournament Week.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in charge: Mr Ryan Holden
1st XI Coaches: Mr Ryan Holden & Mr Steve Meredith

1st XI play in the Manawatu Secondary Schools League on Wednesdays in Terms 2 & 3, Sports Exchanges and Tournament Week.

All other players participate through the local Football clubs.

Training is after school on WHS fields.

Terms: 2 & 3

Cost: $120.00 (approx) season. Separate charges for Exchanges and Tournament Week.

Teacher in Charge: Ms Rebecca Kennedy
1st XI Coaches: Mrs Allison Cotter & Mr Steve Kerfoot

Most games are played at the Gonville Turf in Alma Road or the Collegiate Turf in Grey Street during the week, with the 1st XI Boys & Girls teams travelling to play in the Palmerston North League.

Practices are at Whanganui High School or at the Gonville Hockey Turf after school/evening.

Cost:
1st XI - $360 approx (dependent on turf fees)
2nd XI - $150 approx (dependent on turf fees)
Please be aware that travel costs may be added on for the teams that are playing in Palmerston North. Uniform will be allocated once fees are paid.

Equipment: Must have own stick, shin pads and mouthguard. Socks can be purchased from the Te Wehi gym office - $15.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Ms Natalie Harris
1st XI Coaches: Mr Michael Davidson & Mr Luke Kirk

Most games are played at the Gonville Turf in Alma Road or the Collegiate Turf in Grey Street during the week, with the 1st XI Boys & Girls teams travelling to play in the Palmerston North League.

Practices are at Whanganui High School or at the Gonville Hockey Turf after school/evening.

Cost:
1st XI - $360 approx (dependent on turf fees)
2nd XI - $150 approx (dependent on turf fees)
Please be aware that travel costs may be added on for the teams that are playing in Palmerston North. Uniform will be allocated once fees are paid.

Equipment: Must have own stick, shin pads and mouthguard. Socks can be purchased from the Te Wehi gym office - $15.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Mr Grant Hardy
1st XI Coach: Ms Lucy Tui

Grades are: Juniors Girls (Year 9 & 10), Seniors Girls (Year 11-13) & Mixed (Year 9-13).

Senior and Junior trials will be held on the 31 March – 4 April, 2pm-4pm at the Springvale Stadium.
Senior A1 trials will be separate from these trials.

Competitions are on Saturday afternoon at Laird Park Netball Courts in Peat St.

Practice time depends on the coach but is usually after school.

Costs: $100 (approx) per player - must be paid before May. Senior A1 fees are different to this.

Uniform: PE top and a black skirt purchased from Andersons, 184 Victoria Ave.
Senior A1 will have a uniform supplied to them.

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Senior A1 Coach: Mrs Lisa Murphy

Whanganui is fortunate to have an excellent facility for all year-round rowing. We have an arrangement with the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club with approximately 60 students who can take advantage of the facilities and coaching.

If you are interested in Rowing or becoming a Coxswain, the sport of Rowing could be your choice of activity whilst at WHS. The Coxswain steers the boat and gives the Crew instruction about their performance.

Trainings are either Saturday or Sunday mornings and three or four evenings per week in summer. In Winter, coaches run indoor fitness classes where possible.
There will be a ‘Learn to Row’ programme for new Rowers starting in September 2025.

The season starts in September/October and ends in March/April after the Maadi Cup Regatta. Rowers participate in several Regattas over this time.
WHS won their first Gold Medal in 8 years at the 2024 Aon Maadi Regatta and also finished 4th overall in the country.

Costs: There is a membership fee that students pay to the Aramoho club to cover equipment use. Approx $500 - $750. Regatta fees are a separate cost to this.
WHS Regatta fees will be invoiced to parents through school.
Fees could vary each year.

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Coach: Mr Axel Dickinson

Most year 9 students who are interested in Rugby play for one of the schools Junior teams.

Please note that Wanganui RFU rules state that students are not permitted to play for a club team unless permission is granted by the Principal.

Trainings will be confirmed once teams are sorted.

Costs:
U15 - Fee Approx $195 (including rugby socks) – Playing in Manawatu Competition
U16 - Fee Approx $195 (incl rugby socks) – Playing in Manawatu Competition
1st XV Fee Approx $195 (incl rugby socks) – Playing in Manawatu Competition
Girls 1st XV – Fee Approx $195 (incl rugby socks) - Play in Whanganui Competition Term 2 & 3. Play in Manawatu competition Term 3.

Uniform: Students are supplied with a Rugby jersey and shorts for each game.

NB: Fees need to be paid prior to the start of the regular season. No pay no play.
At print time of this booklet, confirmation on where these competitions will be played is not available. The above fees will be less than half if playing in Whanganui only.

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
1st XV Head Coach: Mike Lama
Girls Rugby Coach: Denning Tyrell

Our students play in a mixed Inter-School Slow pitch competition at the Whanganui Softball Park Monday afternoons.

Training days are Monday before the game 4.00pm, followed by the game at 4.30pm.

The Whanganui Softball Association run an U17 Fast pitch competition also on Mondays at 5:45pm. Please contact the WSA to join one of those teams or see Miss Madams for more information.
This competition is approx $10 per term.

Equipment: Own glove (we do have a few to loan out if needed), WHS PE top, Black shorts/pants, Covered shoes.

Costs: Monday afternoon competition - $10 per term.

Terms: 1 & 4

Teacher in Charge: Miss Jesse Madams
Coaches: Mr Paul Brewer (Senior Team) & Mr Stephen Barnes (Junior Team)

There are trials for a Girls, Boys or Mixed team. You will need to keep an eye on the school daily notices for when they will happen.

We also enter teams in Term 1 for the Whanganui Secondary School League.

Costs: Determined by competition entry either in Term 1 or 4.

Uniform: WHS PE top and black shorts.

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Coach: Mr Mike Lama

Trials for Junior teams are at the start of Term 1.
Senior Competitive teams trial in Term 3.
Opportunities to create own team also exist for Senior social students.

Practices vary during the week, and will be confirmed once teams are sorted.

All Junior students participate in an Inter-school competition in Terms 1 & 4 at a small cost, run by the Whanganui Community Sports Centre.
Senior Social teams play Term 1 only. Games are Wednesday after school at Jubilee Stadium.
Senior Boys and Girls Competitive teams work towards going to Secondary School Nationals in Term 1 and play in the Manawatu Competition on Monday nights in Term 1 and Whanganui Adult league in Term 4.

Cost:
Juniors and Social Seniors playing in local competition - $25 per team (approx).
Competitive Seniors - $165 (approx) for Palmerston North competition and the cost of Nationals is separate (approx $200).

Terms: 1 & 4

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Coach: Anastasia Tamaniyaga

Trials for Junior teams are at the start of Term 1.
Senior Competitive teams trial in Term 3.
Opportunities to create own team also exist for Senior social students.

Practices vary during the week, and will be confirmed once teams are sorted.

All Junior students participate in an Inter-school competition in Terms 1 & 4 at a small cost, run by the Whanganui Community Sports Centre.
Senior Social teams play Term 1 only. Games are Wednesday after school at Jubilee Stadium.
Senior Boys and Girls Competitive teams work towards going to Secondary School Nationals in Term 1 and play in the Manawatu Competition on Monday nights in Term 1 and Whanganui Adult league in Term 4.

Cost:
Juniors and Social Seniors playing in local competition - $25 per team (approx).
Competitive Seniors - $165 (approx) for Palmerston North competition and the cost of Nationals is separate (approx $200).

Terms: 1 & 4

Teacher in Charge: Mrs Lisa Murphy
Coach: Katrina Thompson