Burnside High School’s First XV returns!

Burnside High School has returned to 1st XV rugby for the first time since 2018.

Sports coordinator, Rozz Guillemot has been working behind the scenes to build a 1st XV team since her arrival at Burnside High School in 2020, and it was being introduced to youth coach Keiran Manawatu when things really started to kick off.

Kieran spent 2023 getting to know the potential players, and in turn grew their confidence that the long awaited team would be a real possibility for the following season. The boys were certainly keen, knocking on Rozz’s office door three days into the term asking if the team was going to happen.

“Having Kieran in place already engaging with the boys, it showed them we were serious, and this year was the year it was going to happen” said Rozz, “it gave them certainty”.

Without a 1st XV team to join, as many as 20 Burnside High boys played for Burnside Rugby Club. Rozz spoke about maintaining the connection with between the school and rugby club, who have supported them throughout their efforts to field their 1st XV side. “We still have close ties with them, we were a part of their club day, including all our junior teams and our 1st XV” said Rozz, “they’ve been a great support and part of our rebuild”.

Wanting to play for your schools 1st XV team is a long standing tradition for many kiwi kids says Kieran, “1st XV has always been popular in New Zealand, having that connection with school is important. They spend a lot of their time here, and being connected with the school keeps them here”.

Not working alone, Kieran has Kelvin Upjohn, a Burnside High alumnus who once played in the school’s 1st XV, assisting him with the forwards; West Melton senior player Marcus Contrucci, whom Kieran coached in the University of Canterbury Colts team; and PE teacher Gordie Lloyd, a HSOB prems player who runs the juniors.

Referring to the squad as “our little rugby band of brothers”, Rozz’s pride in the unit is evident, “This season has been about rebuilding the programme and making sure we get the culture right, and it is the boys' commitment to each other, the coaches and the programme that is now being rewarded with their on field successes. Putting aside the wins, their game play is improving each week”.

Burnside 1st XV will take on Belfast Senior Boys team at Sheldon Park on Saturday, kicking off at 1pm.