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 28 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 Thursday 26 February.
Whanganui Secondary Schools competition is on Thursday 12 March.
North Island Championships are in Papakura on 28 & 29 March.
N.Z.S.S Championships are in Hawkes By on 5-7 December 2026.

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: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coaches: Greg Fromont & Elaine Baker

Badminton is held in Term 2 and 3, Fridays after school in the Te Wehi and Te Mana Gymnasiums from 3.05pm – 4.30pm.
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: Graham Hall (hall.g@whs.ac.nz)
Coach: Graham Hall

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

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

The Junior A and Senior A Boys could possibly also play on Thursday nights in the Premier League.

Training will be confirmed by the coach.

Cost: $60 (approx) for Fridays; $50 (approx) for Thursdays;
$30 for Warm-Up shirt (optional)

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Martin (martin.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coach: Karney Herewini

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

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

The Senior A and Junior A teams could possibly also play on Thursday nights in the Premier League.

Training will be confirmed by the coach.

Cost: $60 (approx) for Fridays; $50 (approx) for Thursdays;
$30 for Warm-up shirt (optional)

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Martin (martin.l@whs.ac.nz)

The 1st XI and Junior team play inter-school matches and are in the McVicar Cup Competition (Seniors) and T16 Competition (Juniors) weekly.

We also play Inter-school Sports Exchange matches.

In term 4, there will be the opportunity to play in the Combined High School Comp – approx. cost $90.

Training TBC

Play
Seniors, McVicar Cup Competition - Wednesday
Juniors, T16 Competition - Thursday

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

Terms: 1 & 4

Teacher in Charge: Rebecca Kennedy
1st XI Coach: Hamish McGregor
Junior Coach: Martin Cloete

Girls' Cricket is a developing sport at Whanganui High School.
Dependant on numbers, there could be a girls’ team. No experience is necessary to start playing, just a good attitude and a willingness to participate.
No experience is necessary to start playing, just a good attitude and a willingness to participate.

In term 4, there will be the opportunity to play in the Combined High School Comp – approx. cost $90.

Training is after school for one hour. Day and time will be confirmed once team sorted.
Play on Wednesday (tbc).

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

Terms: 1 & 4

Teacher in Charge: Rebecca Kennedy (kennedy.r@whs.ac.nz)

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 13 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 Thursday 4 June.

Our most successful runners will then be invited to represent Whanganui High School at the National Secondary Schools' Cross Country event in Wellington on 20/21 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: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coaches: Greg Fromont & 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 – 3:00 -4:30pm
or when school finishes early, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Attend as often as you like during these hours.

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coach: Leeann Lock

This year, our Senior 1st XI team will be playing friendlies (most weeks) and will also play Sports Exchanges and Tournament Week.
We will also be trialling having a Junior 1st XI team that will play in the Manawatu Secondary School League on Wednesdays and Junior Sports Exchanges.
All other players participate through the local Football clubs.

Training is after school on WHS fields (Day TBC)

Cost:
Senior 1st XI – $13 (approx) per away game
Additional charges for Exchanges & Tournament week.
Junior 1st XI - $120.00 (approx) season
Additional charges for Exchanges.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in charge: Ryan Holden (holden.r@whs.ac.nz)
1st XI Coaches: Ryan Holden & Anthony Bell
Junior XI Coaches: Ryan Holden & Andrew Macpherson

Our 1st and 2nd XI teams will both play in the Manawatu SS League on Wednesdays (Term 2 & 3), Sports Exchanges and Tournament Week (1st XI).

All other players participate through the local Football clubs.

Training is after school on WHS fields.

Terms: 2 & 3

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

Teacher in Charge: Rebecca Kennedy (kennedy.r@whs.ac.nz)
1st XI Coach: Allison Cotter
2nd XI Coach: Rebecca Kennedy

Our 1st XI Boys play in the Palmerston North League with most of their games played in Manawatu.

2nd XI Boys (team will be dependent on registrations) play at the Gonville Turf in Alma Road or the Collegiate Turf in Grey Street during the week.

Training at Whanganui High School or at the Gonville Hockey Turf after school/evening. Day TBC.

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 paid for at the main office with cash/eftpos and collected from the Te Wehi gym office - $18.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
1st XI Coach: Michael Davidson

Our 1st XI Girls play in the Palmerston North League with most of their games played in Manawatu.

2nd XI Girls (team will be dependent on registrations) play at the Gonville Turf in Alma Road or the Collegiate Turf in Grey Street during the week.

Training at Whanganui High School or at the Gonville Hockey Turf after school/evening. Day TBC.

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 paid for at the main office with cash/eftpos and collected from the Te Wehi gym office - $18.

Terms: 2 & 3

Teacher in Charge: Grant Hardy (hardy.g@whs.ac.nz)
1st XI Coach: Luke Kirk

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

Junior trials will be held on 30 & 31 March from 1pm-4pm at the Springvale Stadium.
Senior trials will be held on 1 & 2 April from 1pm-4pm at the Springvale Stadium.

Please contact Mrs Murphy if you are interested in coaching a team.

Senior A1 & A2 trials will be held on 31 March 5:30pm-7pm.

Teams will be announced on 2 April on the gym noticeboard.

The Premier competition starts on Monday 4 May.
The Saturday competition starts on Saturday 2 May at Laird Park Netball Courts in Peat St. The first 2 weeks consist of 2 x grading games each day.

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

Costs: $100 (approx) per player - must be paid before taking the court for the first time. 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: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Senior A1 Coach: 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 2026.

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, then another Gold in 2025.

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. Club Regatta fees are invoiced via the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club.
Fees could vary each year.

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coach: 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.
Uniform: Players are supplied with a Rugby jersey, shorts and socks for each game.
Girls purchase their own socks from the main office for $18 and collect from Te Wehi gym office.

NB: Fees need to be paid prior to the start of the regular season. No pay no play.

Costs:
U15 - Approx $130 plus $35 warm up t’shirt (including rugby socks) – Playing in Manawatu Competition
Colts - Dependant on numbers, a Colts team could play in the Whanganui Comp.
1st XV - Approx $130 plus $35 warm up t’shirt – Playing in Manawatu Competition
Girls 1st XV – Approx $40 plus $35 warm up t’shirt - Whanganui Competition Term 2 & 3.
Approx $80 – Manawatu Competition Term 3 only.

Only buy a warm-up T-shirt if the player doesn’t already have one. These must be worn to trainings and game day.

Please Note: At print time of this booklet, confirmation on where these competitions will be played is not available. The above boys fees will be less than half if playing in Whanganui only.

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Boys 1st XV Rugby Coach: Mike Lama
Girls 1st XV Rugby Coaches: Tyrell Denning and Danny Tamehana

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 3.45pm, 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 $20 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: Jesse Madams (madams.j@whs.ac.nz)
Junior Coach: Nathan Easton with manager Tara Baxter
Senior Coach: Stephen Barnes with manager Jessie Madams

There are trials for a Girls, Boys or Mixed team. This team heads away to the NZSS Nationals in December.
You will need to keep an eye on the school daily notices for when trials will be.

We also enter teams in Term 1 & 4 to the Whanganui Secondary School League.
Again, signups for these teams will be in the daily notices.
Ideally, players make their own teams up with their friends and bring their team list to the Mrs Murphy.
This competition is usually held on Wednesdays.

Costs: Determined by competition entry either in Term 1 or 4 (usually $20 per term)

Uniform: WHS PE top and black shorts.

Teacher in Charge: Lisa Murphy (murphy.l@whs.ac.nz)
Coach: Mike Lama

We have teams of Boys and Girls, mixed, Juniors and Seniors.

Trials
Junior competitive teams are at the start of Term 1. Look out in the daily notices for this information.
Senior competitive teams trial in Term 3.

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

Wednesday Social League - Terms 1 & 4, students can form teams to be entered into the social league run by the Whanganui Community Sports Centre of either Year 9/10 boys, Year 9/10 girls or open mixed. These teams don’t train. Teams can also be made up of individuals who want to play.

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:
Social Juniors and Seniors playing in local competition - $25 per term (approx).
Competitive Junior & Seniors - $165 (approx) for Palmerston North competition.
Cost of Tournament Week and other Tournaments are separate.

Terms: 1 & 4

Teachers in Charge: Lisa Murphy (Competitive) Jessie Madams (Social)
Coach: Tearo Hameira

We have teams of Boys and Girls, mixed, Juniors and Seniors.

Trials
Junior competitive teams are at the start of Term 1. Look out in the daily notices for this information.
Senior competitive teams trial in Term 3.

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

Wednesday Social League - Terms 1 & 4, students can form teams to be entered into the social league run by the Whanganui Community Sports Centre of either Year 9/10 boys, Year 9/10 girls or open mixed. These teams don’t train. Teams can also be made up of individuals who want to play.

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:
Social Juniors and Seniors playing in local competition - $25 per term (approx).
Competitive Junior & Seniors - $165 (approx) for Palmerston North competition.
Cost of Tournament Week and other Tournaments are separate.

Terms: 1 & 4

Teachers in Charge: Lisa Murphy (Competitive) Jessie Madams (Social)
Coach: Katrina Thompson