The annual South Island Secondary Schools’ (SISS) tournament week proved successful for many Central teams and umpires across a variety of sports and locations.

Local students travelled across the South Island to represent central schools in their chosen sports. 

Tournaments took place from Nelson to Invercargill, and everywhere in between.

“Everyone looked like they had a great time,” Dunstan High School (DHS) sports coordinator Sally Mulally said.

The Alexandra community once again rallied together to support teams through sponsorship and fundraising which enabled teams to attend the tournament. 

“The kids have really appreciated it,” Sally said. 

Six teams from DHS competed this year in ice hockey (Dunedin), boys’ and girls’ hockey (Nelson), netball (Invercargill), football (Dunedin), basketball (Nelson), and under-15 rugby (Alexandra).

Netball umpires Isla Redgrave and Grace Moir also participated, umpiring the netball tournament in Invercargill. Grace passed her zone practical exam and Isla gained the talent umpire award, which is only given to around five secondary school umpires across the whole tournament.

Netball umpires Isla Redgrave and Grace Moir PHOTO: Isla Redgrave

Rugby took over the Molyneux and Dunstan fields as Alexandra hosted that tournament. Twenty-five teams took to the field, with the Dunstan Drillers gaining a respectable fourth place. 

Cromwell College (CC) had a great mix of sports with teams competing in equestrian (Christchurch), basketball (Timaru), squash (Dunedin), motorbike cross country (Tapanui), boys’ and girls’ hockey (Timaru), football (Dunedin), netball (Invercargill), ice hockey (Dunedin), and players filling in for other teams for the rugby (Alexandra). 

CC senior sports coordinator Jenna McPee was happy with how teams performed, particularly the girls’ netball team in Invercargill. After winning B grade last year, CC netball team moved into A grade this year, finishing a highly commendable 14th.

CC netball team. 

CC netball team. PHOTO: Cromwell College

DHS and CC’s combined ice hockey teams, Stars and Devils, both had success with the Devils placing third and Stars fourth. 

CC football competed in Dunedin at the Linewood Tournament and gained the fair play award.

DHS boys basketball team had an amazing tournament in Nelson, qualifying for nationals and placing second. They showed their talent from the start, winning their first game 93-54. 

DHS boys basketball. PHOTO: Megan Tippet