Rugby
1News

'We follow the rules': St Kents say they've followed 1st XV recruitment rules to the letter, as mediation looms

December 6, 2018
Dejected St Kents players.
St Kentigern College v St Peters. First XV schools semi-final rugby union. Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 11 August 2018. © Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.co.nz

Saint Kentigern College has called upon College Sport Auckland to lead a mediation process so that the school's 1st XV can participate in the Auckland 1A competition next season.

It comes after Auckland's 1A rugby schools banded together to boycot matches with St Kentigern's  in 2019, after they recruited five players from elsewhere to bolster their ranks.

"We support a successful school rugby culture and we are delighted College Sport Auckland has confirmed it is ready to act in this role so that we can all look forward to a successful and enjoyable season," said St Kentigern College's head David Hodge.

Mr Hodge said Saint Kents remains fully committed to participating with one set of rules applying equally to all teams.

"We follow the rules that were agreed and set by College Sport Auckland, and would have expected the most recent issue to have been raised before school enrolments had closed for 2019."

A coalition of Auckland schools have boycotted playing St Kentigern College in 2019.

Mr Hodge said the College would go into arbitration in a spirit of wanting to resolve all issues, while at the same time needing to honour
commitments that they had already entered into in good faith some time ago with five boys and their families, who had also made a commitment to coming to the College.

SHARE ME

More Stories