League: Rotorua Boys' make NZRL top flight

NATIONALS: Rotorua Boys' High School in action at the New Zealand Rugby League National Secondary Schools Tournament last year.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

For the first time in Rotorua Boys' High School history, a team will compete in division one at the New Zealand Rugby League National Secondary Schools Tournament.

Rotorua Boys' entered a team into the secondary schools tournament for the first time last year, and won division two.

This year they have moved into division one and will compete alongside top league schools like Kelston Boys' High School and St Paul's College from Auckland.

The 2014 tournament will be held in Auckland at the start of next month.

Auckland schools make up the majority of entries. In division one, only Rotorua Boys' High School and Tokoroa High School, who finished sixth last year, will challenge the northern dominance.

The tournament also highlights growing interest in college league around the country, with huge demand for spots in the competition.

"For schools like Greymouth in the South Island, Francis Douglas from Mid Central and Wesley in Counties Manukau, this will be one of their first experiences at this level of competition," NZRL football manager Tony Iro said.

"Hopefully, their presence will be inspirational, not just for them but for other schools considering their future participation at this tournament."

The 2014 NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament next month:

Division one: Aorere College, Kelston Boys' High School, Manurewa High School, Mt Albert Grammar School, Otahuhu College, Papakura High School, Rotorua Boys' High School, St Paul's College, Southern Cross College, Tokoroa High School, Western Springs College, Westlake Boys' High School.

Division two: Aranui High School, Francis Douglas College, Greymouth High School, Mt Roskill Grammar School, Northcote College, One Tree Hill College, Pakuranga College, Papatoetoe High School, Rosehill College, Taita College, Wesley College, Whangarei Boys' High.