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NZSS Champs 2025 Wrapped Up

198 teams from across Aotearoa travelled to Palmerston North to compete in the highly anticipated National Senior Secondary School Volleyball Championships.

With 100 Boys’ teams and 98 Girls’ teams spread across seven divisions and two venues, Central Energy Trust Arena and Massey University Courts, the city was buzzing with volleyball action. While matches didn’t officially kick off until Monday the 24th, the excitement began early with teams arriving on Sunday to witness our Volley Ferns and Volley Blacks go head-to-head in an exhibition match before the Opening Ceremony. The crowd packed out the arena, setting the tone for the week ahead.

As the competition unfolded, the intensity only ramped up, especially for teams chasing gold in Division 1. Friday’s finals brought the heat.

First up, the Girls' Division 1 Final saw Rangitoto College make their third straight finals appearance, this time up against a fired-up St Margaret’s College squad. Despite facing the reigning champs, the Christchurch-based team held their nerve and delivered a dominant three-set performance to claim the title. St Margaret’s had a strong campaign leading into the final and were one of four Christchurch teams to reach a semi this year, a huge showing for the region.

Not long after, the Boys’ Division 1 Final lit up the show court. Tauranga Boys' College entered the match off the back of a nail-biting five-set semifinal against Hillcrest High that had the crowd absolutely electric. In a repeat of last year’s gold medal match, it was Tauranga Boys taking on Rangitoto once again. Both sides threw everything at it with monster rallies, unreal digs, and next-level hustle, but it was Tauranga Boys who came out on top, winning in straight sets to seal the championship.

Tournament Teams 

Girls Tournament Team 2025
 
MVP | Julia Mitchell | St Margaret’s College
Alice Bell | Rangitoto College
Devyn Golaboski | Rangitoto College
Delilah Brown | St Margaret’s College
Lulu Inglis | St Margaret’s College
Hannah Millar | St Margaret’s College
Khonnah Vanilau | Christchurch Girls High School
Mischa Laulala | Christchurch Girls High School
Briana Barber | Nayland College
Emilia Ainley | Nayland College
Mia Montgomery | St Andrew’s College
Cate Cook | St Andrew’s College
 
Boys Tournament Team 2025
 
MVP | Junior Tavalu | Tauranga Boys College
Ariki Williams | Manurewa High School
Bjorn Fitch | Hillcrest High School
Liam Smith | Hillcrest High School
Bailey Monteiro | Tauranga Boys College
Cohen Satiu | Tauranga Boys College
Noah Seluone | Tauranga Boys College
Jamie Monaghan | Napier Boys High School
Joe Ohlsson | Takapuna Grammar
Joschua Schaller | Rangitoto College
Kenai Stevenson | Rangitoto College
Kyson Norton | Rangitoto College
 

A Massive Ngā Mihi to the Crew Behind the Scenes

We couldn’t have pulled off this event without the incredible support from our community. A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, referees, and kaimahi who gave their time and energy to make this week such a success. And a huge shoutout to Kelsey and the crew from Volleyball Manawatū, Sport Manawatū, Central Energy Trust Arena, Bayleys, Caltex, New Zealand Carbon Farming, Whakaata Māori, Apollo Projects, and all the amazing local businesses of Palmerston North who got behind the kaupapa. Your support fuels our sport and keeps the wairua of our events strong. Thank you!

For more media if you missed out! Check out the youtube channels below for the full streams of games; as well as our Social Media platforms on Instagram and Facebook - @volleyballnewzealand

Courts 1-4 Here
All other courts Here
 
All Divisions Final Placings
 
Click Here for the final Girls Results 
Click Here for the final Boys Results 
Day 1 Done and Dusted for NZSS Championships 2025
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Day 1 Done and Dusted for NZSS Championships 2025

Palmerston North is buzzing this week with 100 Boys and 98 Girls teams competing across the city at Central Energy Trust Arena and Massey University for the 2025 National Secondary School Volleyball Championships.

With division spots being secured, it's game on in the race to the top, every match counts from here. It’s epic to see how much fun poirewa is bringing to teams and the wider community. The NZSSC stage is the perfect platform for athletes to test themselves against the best from across Aotearoa.

It’s also awesome to welcome back familiar faces in volunteer, coaching, and management roles, while seeing so many new faces stepping into our poirewa whānau at the secondary school level. The future is bright!

Keep up with all the action below

Event Live Results | Click Here 

Broadcasting 

Arena 1 - 4 are Broadcasted through Whakaata Māori on Youtube | Watch Here 
Other Livestreamed Courts will be through the Volleyball New Zealand Youtube | Watch Here 
 

Check out our Social Media for Updates & Photos / Videos 

Facebook | Click Here 
Instagram | Click Here 
 
 
NZSS Beach Volleyball Champs 2025 - Finals are Here!
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NZSS Beach Volleyball Champs 2025 - Finals are Here!

We're wrapping up an incredible competition here in Mount Maunganui as we head into Finals Day! A total of 162 Secondary School teams from across Aotearoa have come together to compete in our first school event of 2025.  

The talent on display has been outstanding, and it’s been amazing to see so many of our rangatahi learning, growing, and loving the game.  

Catch all the action from our main court live—watch the broadcast through the link below! ⬇️

Click Here To Watch

Click Here for the Draw 

Head down to Mount Maunganui Main Beach to catch all the action today!

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Biggest ever NZSS Volleyball event set to go

PALMERSTON NORTH – One of the biggest sports events in New Zealand gets underway on Monday in Palmerston North with the 54th New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships at CET Arena and Massey University.

With volleyball on a rapid rise in schools across the motu, the 2024 event has jumped 20% in participating teams, up to 198 in total with 103 girls’ teams joined by 95 boys’ teams over five days of competition.

The increase in teams echoes the latest School Sport NZ Census information which shows volleyball has again strengthened its rangatahi base – now the third most popular school sport in Aotearoa – with an 11% rise in participation over the last two years.

Those numbers present some unique opportunities and Volleyball New Zealand CEO Steven Upfold says the continued growth requires an evolution of the way in which the sport delivers to its members.

“It’s clear that volleyball is thriving in our schools and with the year-on-year increases in participation comes the need to innovate and meet the demand which keeps expanding,” Upfold said.

“For this event that has meant significant changes to our draw structure to be able to accommodate the increased demand. We’re excited to be trying something different and assess the impact of the changes on the overall event experience for the future.”

The 2024 competition has been delivered in greater partnership with Volleyball Manawatu. Chair Tim Middlehurst, spoke of the extended partnership

"Not only is the tournament a wonderful event for the region to host, but for many young athletes is a highlight of their sporting careers. With the event continuing to grow in popularity, Volleyball Manawatū is proud to be working with Volleyball New Zealand to make sure that it remains safe and enjoyable for all involved."

The event is one of the biggest in the Palmerston North City Council annual calendar and the 2024 tournament will see several activations and promotions in the city.

A Palmerston North City Council spokesperson says the city is excited to welcome back the best of the best in secondary schools volleyball.

“The event not only brings with it the spirit of competition but also fuels our local economy, giving us the chance to showcase our city’s hospitality.”

The competition gets underway on Monday and you can follow the action via the Volleyball New Zealand website and via streaming broadcast of multiple courts throughout the tournament via Broadcast Partner Whakaata Māori.

The Division 1 boys and girls finals will also be broadcast live on Whakaata Māori Channel 5 on Friday 22 March.

Division 1 gold medalists - Liam Smith and Jaxon Stone from Hillcrest High School. Photo by VNZ.
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Schools compete in NZSS Beach Volleyball action

The 2024 New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Volleyball Championships saw schools from across the country converge in Mt Maunganui to compete. 

After the first day was cancelled due to severe weather a full Sunday of action saw the champions crowned. 

In the Girls Division 1 final, Kalea Norton and Devyn Golaboski from Rangitoto College overcame Charlotte Grey and Roxy Murfin from Cashmere High School to take out the gold medal. Kendall McKane and Ani Doherty from Whakatane High School would come away from the weekend with the bronze medal. 

In Boys Division 1 action, Liam Smith and Jaxon Stone from Hillcrest High School would take home the gold medal after defeating Lucas Heggie and Zalan Lizan from Spotswood College in their respective final. Third place in the division would go to Thomas Vesty and Ryan Huang from Burnside High School.

Click here to view the New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Championships home page. 
Click here to view all results.

New Zealand Secondary Schools Beach Championships 2024 Results
Mt Maunganui Main Beach

Year 12/13 Division 1 Girls

1. Kalea Norton/Devyn Golaboski – Rangitoto College
2. Charlotte Grey/Roxy Murfin – Cashmere High School
3. Kendall McKane/Ani Doherty – Whakatane High School

Year 12/13 Division 2 Girls

1. Laura Smith/Louisa Chretien – Cashmere High School
2. Ella Pahuru/Dakota Becker – Mt Maunganui College
3. Charlie Minshall/Kara Blackstock – Otumoetai College

Year 11 Girls

1. Julia Mitchell/ Hannah Miller – St Margaret’s College
2. Lucia Wood/ Sadie Harwood – Nayland College
3. Isabella Kawana/Emmesyn Parr – Tauranga Girls’ College

 

Year 12/13 Division 1 Boys

1. Liam Smith/Jaxon Stone – Hillcrest High School
2. Lucas Heggie/Zalan Lizan – Spotswood College
3. Thomas Vesty/Ryan Huang – Burnside High School

Year 12/13 Division 2 Boys

1. Travis Fletcher/Joseph Daniels – Cashmere High School
2. Joshua Perks/Haslam – Rangitoto College
3. Noah Seluone/Kingston Harris – Tauranga Boys’ College

Year 11 Boys

1. Ali Aljabiri/Mana Barham – Napier Boys’ High School
2. Daniel Walker/Henry Fulton  - Tauranga Boys’ College
3. Kenai Stevenson/Kyson Norton – Rangitoto College

 

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