Schools cry foul over sports teams

Schools are being accused of stacking their 1st XV rugby teams with older players by encouraging students to stay at school for unnecessary extra years.

One former sports co-ordinator claims the practice is the only way for teams to survive in the top grade.

But colleges vehemently deny they deliberately hold back students, describing the suggestions as "absolute rubbish".

Auckland college sport rules say a student must be under the age of 19 as at January 1 to be eligible to play school sport in that year, although students can continue playing if they turn 19 during the year.

Some principals consider it unethical to allow returning students to play sport if they have shown poor academic performance.

According to figures from college sports watchdog the Auckland Secondary Schools Heads Association (Assha), there are 27 students aged 18 or 19 playing in Auckland's premier rugby grade.

There are 12 teams in the division, some of which field up to four older players while some field none.

Despite persistent rumours that some schools are putting 20-year-olds on the field, Assha chief executive Mike Thompson said he had never received any complaints about schools breaching the age gap.

However, a former sports co-ordinator from a state school, who did not want to be named, said it was still common for schools to encourage talented players to return after finishing Year 13.

"That's how you survive A-grade. That's how you stay up there - you have Year 14s in your team," he said.

Following a rule change last year, only students 18 or younger can qualify for regional rep teams - a move some credit with having already reduced the number of older players in the premier division.

Gil Laurenson, principal of A-grade rugby school Otahuhu College, said the age cap should also be lowered for the local competition.

He said he did not agree with schools that allowed students to return just to play sport. "If it's time for them to move on to employment or tertiary education, it's time to move on. Coming back just to play rugby just isn't on."

New Zealand citizens are legally entitled to a free education from age 5 until the start of the year after they turn 19.

Ministry of Education figures show that in July last year, there were just over 400 students at state or integrated secondary schools aged 21 or older. Nearly 200 were aged 20, more than 600 were aged 19, and more than 3000 were aged 18.

Principal Steve Watt, of Kelston Boys' High School, which has long faced rumours that it deliberately fields older players, said there was no reason to lower the age cap.

"Why would you do that if they are legitimate students?"

Schools with a significant proportion of Pacific Island students tended to have older players because many of them were put back a year when they arrived in New Zealand, he said. But he dismissed suggestions students were deliberately held back to bolster sports teams as "absolute rubbish".

"Our priority here is education in the classroom. The only reason why a boy would be encouraged to come back to school at any level is for academic reasons."

The academic progress and attendance records of all students in premier sports teams were regularly monitored to ensure they were performing up to standard, he said.

"There is never pressure put on boys at this school to come back to play rugby or to play any sport."

Chris Saunders of Onehunga High School, whose rugby team is currently in B-grade but has previously played in the premier division, said the practice of schools fielding older players was becoming less common.

"[In the past] there was nothing to stop a kid going back to school for a sixth year. Now you're not seeing those older kids around the system like we used to."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY