School hit with player ban

A state school in Auckland has been banned from using a top basketballer after accusations it poached her from another college.

The row follows admissions by other state colleges that another method of bolstering top sports teams - the legal but controversial practice of importing Pacific Island players - is now widespread.

Northcote College on Auckland's North Shore is only the second school to be censured by college sports watchdog the Auckland Secondary Schools Association.

The first was private school St Kentigern College, which in February last year was accused of luring rugby players from rival Macleans College with the promise of free laptops, uniforms and waived school fees.

The association's bylaws were introduced in 1998 in an effort to combat the widespread problem of player poaching.

Chief executive Mike Thompson confirmed he and the association's board investigated Northcote College after receiving a complaint from neighbouring Birkenhead College.

They found no evidence that Northcote had actively recruited or poached the basketballer, but at a meeting on May 20 they decided the school had breached the intent of the bylaws by agreeing to enrol the student.

The rules forbid schools to approach prospective students or offer any inducements other than those available to all other students.

Mr Thompson said Northcote College was not obliged to take the student, who was transferring from out of zone.

"The circumstances didn't warrant the student changing schools.

"Schools are places of education that choose to deliver sport," Mr Thompson said.

"Because Northcote College bent in that respect we don't believe that the right outcome was achieved, because the student did actually change to a neighbouring school for the benefit of their basketball."

The association last week sent Northcote a letter of censure and told them the student could not play premier sport for them this year.

Northcote College principal Ted Benton did not respond to inquiries from the Herald On Sunday.

The college is currently in third place in Auckland's premier girls' basketball division. Birkenhead is not a premier league school.

Birkenhead College principal Jim Mathewson said the association's decision was fair, and it was a reminder that schools had to comply with the anti-poaching bylaws.

"It's not only a reminder to principals, but also to coaches and friends and parents who can be involved in luring students away," said Mr Mathewson.

"People should do the right thing and abide by the laws."

Mr Thompson said poaching was still "ticking away" around the Auckland region.

"It certainly hasn't been cleaned up yet," he said.

But he conceded school poaching and recruitment issues were "very difficult" for schools to police.

The problem is most common in premier grade rugby, but has also been reported in basketball, cricket, volleyball and tennis.

Mr Mathewson said principals had to actively approach the association if they suspected poaching.

"Schools should be able to keep their own people and have them thrive in their own sporting codes."

- Herald on Sunday