Sports Codes

The Saint Kentigern Athletics day is held each year in February, with top performers selected to represent the College at the Auckland Championships at Mt Smart Stadium, including relay teams. Saint Kentigern has a proud record of success at the Auckland Championships, with many students progressing to represent Auckland at the North Island Championships. Our relay teams have set numerous College and Auckland records in recent years. Each year, several students also qualify for the National Athletics Championships, held in Term 4. Top athletes are encouraged to join local clubs for access to specialised coaching and training.

Badminton trials are held at the end of Term 1, with competition games taking place in Term 2 at venues such as Lloyd Elsmore Badminton Club, The Y Lagoon Stadium, Li Ning Badminton Centre, and Gilles Ave. Matches are scheduled on Wednesday or Friday afternoons. A social competition is also available after school on Tuesdays—open to Years 9–13 in Term 2 and Years 7–8 in Term 3.

Basketball is a growing sport at Saint Kentigern, with around d 20 boys’ and girls’ teams and over 260 athletes. Students also contribute as referees and coaches, helping build strong connections between Premier players and Juniors. Competitions take place in Terms 2 and 3 across Auckland. Games are held in our high quality facilities, including a two-court gym and a show court, where Premier teams play on Friday nights. The programme focuses on both competition and fun, with strong emphasis on player development. Premier players and alumni often give back by mentoring younger athletes. The Head of Basketball runs the Development class for selected Y11 students to further grow and develop the sport at Saint Kentigern. This class was established in 2025.

Cricket at Saint Kentigern provides challenges and rewards to its committed players. With top-level coaching and facilities, players of all abilities can develop their skills, enjoy the game, and compete with pride. The season runs in Terms 1 and 4, with boys playing on weekends and girls mid-week. Our 1st XI boys team competes in the Auckland Premier competitions, aiming for national finals at the Gillette and Venus Cups. We also field 14 other teams across limited overs and T20 formats to suit all skill levels. The Head of Cricket brings elite experience from coaching the Auckland Aces, Black Caps, and international leagues—ensuring players get the best possible development. He runs the Development programme for selected Y9 and 10 Cricketers as well as overseeing a winter training program for all interested students.

College cycling includes both road and track cycling. Our programme caters for boys and girls at all levels, including beginners. We have 4 excellent coaches that are committed to the cycling programme and developing athletes. Cycling is a demanding but fulfilling sport that teaches discipline, teamwork and provides a basis for a strong work ethic. Saint Kentigern College cycling has a proud record, winning many team titles and individual titles. Cycling provides an excellent opportunity for students to become high performing endurance athletes and leaders. We have cyclists who have represented New Zealand and others who have gone on to ride in prestigious international trade teams in Europe.

Following the College Cross Country in late Term 1 or early Term 2, the top 10 students from each grade are selected to represent Saint Kentigern at the Auckland Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships. The College also competes in the Auckland Road Running Championships, with top performers eligible for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships.

Saint Kentigern’s Equestrian team brings together riders from various disciplines and skill levels, with a strong focus on teamwork and support. Up to 20 students are involved, with 4–8 competing at each event. The season runs from Term 1 to Term 3, with events held in Auckland, Cambridge, and Taupo. Riders may sign up for events, and teams are then selected. Parents are responsible for transport, and a school representative is present at most events to provide coaching, and coordinate teams and logistics.

Fencing meets for practice throughout Terms 1-3. Everyone is welcome to attend, though beginners are required to start at the beginning of a year when the basic skills are introduced. External coaches offer training in Foil and Sabre. Students may attend just the Wednesday training sessions, but those looking to further develop their skills are encouraged to also participate in the Secondary School’s competitions which are held on Saturdays and Sundays at Auckland venues. At these competitions, students are able to compete on an individual basis, or as a team.

Saint Kentigern offers a vibrant and inclusive football programme, with over 30 teams catering to a wide range of skill levels—from elite Premier squads to competitive and social teams. This ensures that every student, regardless of experience or ability, has the opportunity to participate and enjoy the game. Trials are held in Term 1 to place students in appropriate teams based on skill, fitness, and potential. Most teams train at least once a week, with some higher-level teams training more frequently. Matches are played both home and away, offering students the chance to experience a variety of playing environments and opponents across the region. The football season runs through Terms 2 and 3. However, for students looking to further develop their skills, the Head of Football runs Development classes for selected Y9-11s year-round, providing ongoing training and support beyond the regular season.

Saint Kentigern College teams play in the College Sport competition in Term 1 and individuals can compete in Strokeplay Championships during Summer Tournament week. Our College Staff are the team managers and transport students to the various Golf courses across Auckland for these competitions.

Students who want to compete in school gym sport events can be entered by the school sports administrator. There is no school club or trainings, students who compete tend to be members of outside gym sport clubs.

Saint Kentigern has 8-10 teams representing the College in the College Sport competitions across the age groups. Games are played weekdays days in Term 2 and the first half of Term 3. Trials and training begin at the end of Term 1, with teams coached either in the morning or after school on the College turf or at Lloyd Elsmore Park Hockey. A new Head of Hockey role and a specialist Year 11 Development class have been introduced, with players invited or selected through trials to join this programme.

Mountain biking is a co-curricular activity offered at Saint Kentigern College, supported by keen parents. We welcome riders of all abilities from beginners to experienced. We ride all year round at a variety of forests and parks around Auckland, with trips further afield for the very enthusiastic. We have students racing in a range of disciplines including, cross-country, enduro and downhill, or coming along on group rides just for fun. With a weekend camp once a year in Rotorua, and multiple events throughout the year, the Saint Kentigern Mountain bike team is a great way to build skills, improve fitness and make friends.

Triathlon at the College encompasses triathlon, aquathon and duathlon events. All triathletes are invited to a three-day triathlon training camp in mid to late January. Following this, we train after school twice a week, with Auckland and National competitions held throughout Term 1. The programme caters for boys and girls at all levels, including beginners. Skills in the open water and on the bike are developed by experienced coaches who compete in the sport themselves and bring a love of the sport to training. The College campus provides an excellent training ground with the school swimming pool, access to quiet cycling roads and expansive fields and a costal pathway to run on. The College has a very strong and proud history of individual and team national triathlon titles, and students have gone on to represent New Zealand on the world stage, including competing at the Olympic Games. While an individual sport, the team culture provides camaraderie among students and helps bring the best out of each other to develop as people and athletes.

The Netball Programme caters to those that wish to play, coach or umpire. The College has over 30 teams that compete each week in Terms 2 and 3 at the Auckland Netball Centre, either on a Saturday morning, or Tuesday afternoon for Year 7and 8 teams. The Head of Netball oversees Development classes for selected Y9 and 10 students as part of the school curriculum that run all year round. We have 6 outdoor and 2 indoor netball courts for team training sessions. Netball at Saint Kentigern has grown in success with the top teams in each age group regularly placing in the top two of their grades. We are proud to name our teams after Alumni that have gone on to experience success playing at either National Netball Level, ANZ Championship or to represent New Zealand.

Orienteering challenges both mind and body. The Term 1 sprint series is a great introduction, followed by forest events and rogaines throughout the year. Skills sessions are held before each event, with coaches providing feedback on the day. Saint Kentigern students can compete at Regional, North Island, and National levels, with opportunities for top athletes to make NZ teams.

Saint Kentigern College Rowing Club offers a programme for both boys and girls from its shed on the Tamaki River, right on the College’s edge. With direct water access via our pontoon, training is efficient and frequent. We provide top-quality equipment—from single sculls to eights—for all age groups, supported by expert coaching. This commitment has seen our rowers excel at regattas, represent New Zealand, and earn places at Ivy League universities. Rowing at Saint Kentigern fosters discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic—skills that stay with students for life.

Rugby is a high-profile sport at the College. There are over 7 teams competing for the College in the Auckland Secondary Schools competition each year, including the 1st XV in the 1A competition and a Girls 10s team that was introduced in 2025. Boys Rugby competitions run in Term 2 and the start of Term 3 on Saturdays, with two trainings for each team during the week after school. Trials and preseason trainings are run in Term 1. The Girls play on Monday afternoons. There is the option to be selected for Rugby Development class in Y9 and 10, these classes run all year round and work on developing a deeper understating of the game and increasing game fitness.

Saint Kentigern actively supports and facilitates student participation in Snow Sports events, providing opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of all levels to compete and develop their skills. Each year, teams represent the College at the Auckland Secondary Schools Championships held at Snow Planet in Term 2—a great introduction to competitive snow sports in a local indoor setting. In Term 3, students can compete at the North Island Secondary School Championships, a multi-day event held on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. These events offer a fun, challenging environment where students can experience team spirit, build confidence, and test themselves against some of the best young athletes in the region.

Competitions take place across the Auckland region during Terms 2 and 3, experienced players are selected to compete in the Premier or Open A Grade teams, where they face high-level opposition and gain valuable match-play experience. For those who are new to the sport or looking to improve, weekly training sessions are available during the term. These sessions focus on building fundamental skills such as footwork, shot accuracy, and game tactics, and are open to all students with an interest in squash.

The College hosts its annual Swimming Sports at the beginning of Term 1. Students who place in the top three in any event earn the opportunity to represent the College at the Zone Championships, either individually or as part of a relay team. Successful competitors may then progress to the Auckland Championships. In addition, competitive swimmers may be eligible to compete at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships.

Saint Kentigern’s Table Tennis programme supports both competitive players and those keen to represent the College in a team environment on Friday afternoons. With 24 international-standard tables, the College hosts East Auckland inter-school matches, while the Premier and A2 teams compete at the Auckland Table Tennis Stadium in Newmarket. Training takes place on Saturday mornings in Terms 2 and 3, led by elite coach Chunli Li, who brings extensive experience at regional, national, and international levels.

The College offers a comprehensive tennis programme designed to support both high-performing athletes and those who enjoy playing as part of a team. With outstanding facilities including eight floodlit hard courts and two covered astro-grass courts, students are well equipped to develop their skills. All students, regardless of experience or ability, are encouraged to represent the College. Matches take place either on Saturday mornings or, for premier teams, on Wednesday afternoons as part of the Auckland Secondary Schools Competition. Team selection is based on trials, and players compete against other secondary schools from across the Auckland region. The programme includes two grades: Juniors (Years 9–10), who compete in Terms 1 and 4, and Seniors (Years 11–13) in Term 1. All teams receive professional coaching during the competition terms to support development and performance.

Touch is a popular and successful sport at Saint Kentigern, with boys’ and girls’ teams competing in Auckland Champs tournaments in Term 1, and juniors and national events in Term 4. Touch is a great team sport and a chance for students to use it as preseason training for their winter sport. The College has had a huge amount of success in Touch in both Auckland and New Zealand competitions.

Volleyball continues to grow in popularity at Saint Kentigern, with opportunities for students to develop their skills and compete. Senior teams take the court in Term 1, playing weekly matches on Thursdays at various East Auckland venues, while Junior teams compete in Term 4. The season builds towards the Auckland Secondary Schools Championships—a three-day tournament that brings together top teams from across the region. With a strong focus on skill progression, teamwork, and sportsmanship, the volleyball programme provides a supportive and energetic atmosphere for both experienced players and those new to the sport. As interest continues to grow, Saint Kentigern remains committed to building depth and success across all levels.

Saint Kentigern fields multiple Water Polo teams across all levels. Senior teams compete in Term 1, with the Premier squad training mornings at Sacred Heart and playing in pre-season, Auckland, North Island, and National Championships. Juniors (Years 7–10) train and compete in Terms 2 and 3, playing in a Friday night and Sunday afternoon local league and the North Island Champs in Term 4.

Saint Kentigern offers both individual and team sailing, with team sailing as the main focus. This fast-paced sport requires teamwork and strategy, with three two-person boats working together in each race. Some sailing experience is required to join the team. The squad trains at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club during Terms 1 and 4. Teams are selected to represent Saint Kentigern at the NZ Secondary Schools Keelboat Nationals, Auckland Team Regionals and Team Sailing Nationals. Students also compete in the Auckland Secondary Schools Fleet Racing Champs, with results from multiple classes (Optimist, Starling, 29er, etc.) contributing to the overall Schools’ Cup.

Saint Kentigern is part of the Southeastern Zone Cluster for inter-school sports, with teams regularly competing in zone events throughout the school terms and participating in exchanges with other schools. Students have access to specialised coaching year-round to support their development, and many are involved in after-school sports teams, which require trials for selection. In recent years, Saint Kentigern has also sent teams to the AIMS Games in Tauranga—one of the largest intermediate school sporting events in the country. Leading up to this week-long tournament, students benefit from expert coaching, including sessions with Premier coaches and players.

Each year, Saint Kentigern College hosts three major House sporting events: Swimming, Athletics, and Cross Country. These events are key highlights on the school calendar, encouraging widespread participation, school spirit, and healthy competition. All events are held on campus and open to all students who wish to compete. Students may participate for House points, contributing to the overall House Championship, or compete to become a College Champion, with top performers progressing to Zone and Auckland Championships. These events play a vital role in fostering school pride, encouraging physical activity, and celebrating both mass participation and individual excellence. Swimming Sports is the first full-college event of the year. Preliminary heats are held over several days, giving students the chance to earn House points or qualify for finals. Finals Day is a vibrant, whole-school event where finalists race in front of cheering peers. Athletics Day takes place as a one-day whole-school competition. Students can enter events to earn House points or aim for a top 10 finish to qualify for Zones and the Auckland Champs. Track events range from 100m to 3000m, and field events include high jump, long jump, discus, and shot put. Cross Country is held at the end of Term 1 or start of Term 2 and is run across the College grounds. Participants can run for House points or to qualify for the College Sport or New Zealand Cross Country championships. These House events are an important part of College life—promoting school unity, competitive spirit, and a love of sport across all year levels.

The Saint Kentigern Fitness Centre is a modern, well-equipped space designed to support students, staff, and community members in their health and wellness journeys. Our Head of Athletic Development and coaches provide supervision and guidance during peak hours, and tailored programs from introductory fitness to sport-specific The fitness centre has several exercise spaces: - Strength Zone: Featuring free weights (dumbbells, barbells), squat racks, benches, and multi-station resistance machines. - Cardio Area: Equipped with treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines, and ellipticals, perfect for endurance or interval training. - Functional Training Zone: Includes kettlebells, medicine balls, TRX bands, plyometric boxes, and open floor space for circuit workouts. Overall, the Fitness Centre at Saint Kentigern is more than just a gym—it’s a central hub promoting physical confidence, teamwork, and a healthy lifestyle across the school community.