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Sports

At Rangitoto College we challenge students to push their boundaries and discover what they are capable of. Through competition, young people learn teamwork, leadership and resilience – important life skills.

2024 Term 1 Student Achievement Form

Our People

The Sport Department is comprised of a team of Sport Co-ordinators dedicated to driving and facilitating the successful delivery of sport at all levels at our school. We are also acutely aware that “it takes a village” deliver sport at New Zealand’s largest secondary school and as such Rangitoto is grateful to have some of the very best people actively involved in its sport programme. From dedicated teachers and volunteer parents, to some of New Zealand’s most regarded coaches with National level playing and coaching experience, this community strives to create the very best sporting experiences for our students and stakeholders.​

Meet some of our people

Jamie Sowter

PREMIER NETBALL ASSISTANT COACH
Playing career summary, plus highlights:
Netball - Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland Age Group (U15,U17,U19) Representatives. Currently still playing Women’s Premier Netball for Waitakere City Rugby Netball Club. Athletics - Auckland Representative and NZ Medallist in 400m, 200m, 4x100 and 4x400. Touch - NZ Nationals Champions while at school.
Coaching career summary, plus highlights:
Coached Netball for the past 10 years - Have previously coached the Premier netball team in 2018 and now again assist coaching the premier girls (2021). Manager of Premier Girls Volleyball - HIGHLIGHT- Both boys and girls team winning Auckland champs and girls placing 3rd. Being part of the volleyball family in the most successful year we have ever had.
Coaching qualifications, or anything special we should know:
Netball Community Coaching Certificate and Umpiring badge.
What do you love about coaching Rangitoto teams:
We are starting to build a culture where the teams take pride in putting on the Rangitoto uniform. We are determined and never shy away from a challenge.
What you love about sport and or the sport you coach:
I love that netball is a competitive sport. It is a sport that can be played long after you leave school. It requires both skill and athleticism. I love the culture that Rangitoto Volleyball has created. Ex-students are wanting to come back to the school to help with the volleyball programme in any way they can. There are opportunities for students to play both socially and competitively, which allows so many more students to take part in the sport. I love that sport allows a platform for students to be recognised outside of the classroom and to highlight their strengths.
Goals, aspirations, focus areas for your team at the school:
Create Culture where the girls are proud to represent the school - Teaching the girls to do their job - not focus on the win. The win will come if they do their job - Goal - To stay in A grade at UNISS.
Goals, aspirations, focus areas for your sport at the school:
To create a netball programme that is appealing to girls at intermediate. Have a netball culture that is successful, but also that many girls want to be a part of. Always taking pride in wearing the Rangitoto jersey in whatever context you play in.
Coaching philosophy or approaches to coaching:
You play sport to win. Every training should have a meaning or a purpose. You want the athletes to walk away having learnt or accomplished something regardless of how big or small. It is also really important to not only help students succeed within their sport but also to help encourage them to succeed in all aspects of their life.
Any key coaching related/team related quote(s) that you might use:
A good coach can make her players see what they can be rather than what they are.
Any coach mentors you may have and why:
Gina Coombes - past coach Gina was the first coach that I had that ever put an emphasis on fitness. I have the belief that having a good fitness level is incredibly important for everyday life and if you are wanting to be a successful athlete you need to have a solid base of fitness. Gina is incredibly passionate about health and fitness and also the sport of netball. As a coach she always made trainings relevant and worthwhile. We walked away from every training having learnt something, even once we had left school. Gina was honest and never beat around the bush, this was to get the best out of her players.
Where do you work or what is your do full time job:
Rangitoto College Physical Education and Health Teacher, Kahui Ako In School Leader and Sports Leadership and Development.

Justine Reed

PREMIER GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH
Playing career summary, plus highlights:
Attended University of San Diego (1994-98), on a 4-year NCAA DI basketball scholarship. Ten plus years playing in the Women’s National Basketball League for 4 teams. Won 3 National Championships. New Zealand Senior and Junior level representative. Highlight was earning a basketball scholarship to States.
Coaching career summary, plus highlights:
Basketball New Zealand (International Level) 2011 to present, Assistant Coach, placed 2nd at FIBA U15 Oceania Champs, placed 5th at 2017 U16 Girls Australian State Champs, placed 2nd at 2015 U17 FIBA Oceania Champs, Head Coach, appointed Women’s 3x3 for the period 2020-2022, placed 2nd at 2019 U18 3x3 World Cup, placed 1st at 2018 U18 3x3 Asia Cup Harbour Basketball Association (National Level) 2011 to present, Head Coach (Girls), 2020 U17A, 2019 U15A (placed 6th), 2018 U17A (3rd), 2016 U23A (2nd), 2015 Harbour Breeze Women (5th), 2014 U19 (5th), 2012 U15A (1st) Assistant Coach (Girls) 2017 to present and 2014 Harbour Breeze Women (1st in 2014, 2nd in 2019), 2015 U19 Women (1st), 2014 U17A Girls (2nd) Westlake High School (High School Level) 2013-2015, Head Coach and in charge of the overall basketball programme with 100+ students participating, placed 3rd, 4th and 9th at Secondary School Nationals respectively. During the period, had five players that obtained NCAA Division I basketball scholarships and two that obtained NCAA Division II scholarships.
Athletes you have coached that have gone on to higher honours:
From Rangitoto - Brooke Blair, Penina Davidson, Ella Fotu, Sophie Bond, Tabitha Jenkins, Olivia Berry, Sanja Kondic Others: Akiene Reed, Tiarna Clarke, Katelin Noyer, Tangiariki Nicholls, Zara Jillings, Georgia Perrott-Hunt, Olivia Bell, Jordyn Maddix, Tayla Dalton, Emme Shearer, Jazzmyne Kailahi-Fulu, Jess Moors.
Coaching qualifications, or anything special we should know:
Act as a mentor and guide potential student/athletes and their parents with understanding NCAA academic and amateurism eligibility and providing guidance and assistance with the recruiting process. Part of BBNZ’s recently formed Women’s High Performance Coaches Programme. Part of HPNZ Te Hapaitanga satellite programme.
What do you love about coaching Rangitoto teams:
Great kids that are wanting to learn.
What you love about sport and or the sport you coach:
Sport is a great way to provide kids with the skills that they will need to become responsible, well-adjusted, strong adults. I enjoy being able to teach the kids these skills which are more than just learning the Xs and Os of the game.
Goals, aspirations, focus areas for your team at the school:
Our goals are to remain in the Prems grade and to qualify for Secondary School Nationals. For each player it is for them to be a better player at the end of the season then they were at the beginning, whether it is improving their shooting mechanics, increasing their rebounding numbers or being a better leader on the court.
Goals, aspirations, focus areas for your sport at the school:
We are rebuilding the programme, so it is all about increasing the number of girls that play basketball at Rangitoto and ensuring that the girls that are involved are developing as players and want to work hard to be part of a future winning programme.
Coaching philosophy or approaches to coaching:
My philosophy is very athlete centred. I want to do all I can to empower the athletes to become the best players and people that they can be.
Any key coaching related/team related quote(s) that you might use:
There may be players more talented than you but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.
Where do you work or what is your do full time job:
I am a tax accountant and work at Deloitte as an Associate Director.
Anything else not covered above that you would like to include:
I am married with two children - my daughter, Akiene-Tera who is currently attending University of Southern California on a basketball scholarship and my son, Jameer Hamiora, who is a Year 9 student at Rosmini College.

Scott Leith

SAILING COACH
Playing career summary, plus highlights:

Sailed competitively all my life 1996 Olympic trials 470 10-time world laser master champion (current reigning champion) 20 + national titles 2012 London Olympic training partner Laser Radial 2016 Rio Olympic selector Laser and Finn classes.

Coaching career summary, plus highlights:

Women's World Laser Coach, Team Racing Coach, Junior and Youth Sailor Coach, Olympic training partner, many National championships coaching.

Athletes you have coached that have gone on to higher honours:

Sara Winther, 2012 Olympics. My daughter Lucy, 2020 worlds team 29er (number 1 ranked NZ), my son Joe, 2020 and 2021 worlds team Optimist (number 1 ranked NZ).

Coaching qualifications, or anything special we should know:

Run the highly successful Murrays Bay Sailing Club (MBSC), as Commodore for 3 years, awarded service award by Yachting New Zealand. Fund raising for the new $2m+ club, plus hundreds of thousands on club boats. Help run Waterwise North Shore for the past decade, as lead instructor and Blues rugby team business mentor.

Any special links to the school:

My wife and I attended and met each other at Rangitoto College and all three of our children currently attend Rangitoto College. My Dad and all my brothers and sister and nieces and nephews attend(ed) Rangitoto College.

What do you love about coaching Rangitoto teams:

The team environment, youthful passion, success, and being fortunate to be in a position to give back and share my knowledge. I love helping people generally, and success does feel great! I also enjoy learning.

What you love about sport and or the sport you coach:

I love every aspect, whether it be fitness training, focussed attention to detail, rising up on competition days, learning, team and friendships and ultimately development and improvement and success.

Goals, aspirations, focus areas for your team at the school:

Working as a team, and everyone pulling together and understanding their role and having confidence in what they are doing. Making a difference!

Goals, aspirations, focus areas for your sport at the school:

Winning regionals and winning nationals back-to-back for Rangitoto College. Tick!

Coaching philosophy or approaches to coaching:

Take time to listen to the sailors and ask lots of questions to put them under pressure BEFORE the big dance. Prepare for everything and make training as hard as possible and not shy away from the tough stuff. If it’s to be its up to me (athlete), I've (athlete) got to make it happen!

Any key coaching related/team related quote(s) that you might use:

Champions do extra, be the best you can be, make it happen, stay determined, sail like your life depends on it.

Any coach mentors you may have and why:

I love to learn off all sports, all coaches and teams, and am an avid student of all sports, a few that I have asked for help with wise heads are Dan Slater, Jim Maloney, Hamish Willcox, Dr Ceri Evans and Sir Graham Henry.

Where do you work or what is your do full time job:

I own a few businesses, I like investing in motivated people.

Anything else you may deem important to you relating to your role:

All the support of all the people behind the athletes like their dedicated parents, teachers, friends and relatives - it really does take a community to take athletes to the top - but mostly athletes need intrinsic motivation within.

Anything else not covered above that you would like to include:

Thank you to Rangitoto College particularly to Mr Meiklejohn, Mrs Beck, Mr Harwood and Mr Gale for all their support of our sailing team.

RANGITOTO SPORT

Our vision for Sport at Rangitoto College is to create vibrant, connected sport communities. A place where students can make friends, experience new challenges, sports and activities, maintain a healthy lifestyle and for competitive athletes; strive for excellence. As a springboard for opportunity, Rangitoto provides a large number of sports for all levels and abilities ranging from social sport to National Championship winning teams. In 2021 alone we boast three national championship winning teams in swimming, sailing and volleyball as well as many regional and national podiums, plus New Zealand team selections

Athletics/Cross Country

Badminton

Basketball

Beach Volleyball

Cheerleading

Cricket

Equestrian

Fencing

Football

Golf

Hockey

Mountain Biking & Road Cycling

Netball

Orienteering

Rugby

Sailing

Snow Sports

Softball

Squash

Swimming

Table Tennis

Tennis

Touch & Tag

Volleyball

Waka Ama

Water Polo

Weightlifting

Facilities

Our sporting facilities are among the very best in New Zealand.

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Sport Performance Academy

Improving the skill level of players who have the potential to become elite competitors.

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Director of Sport: Mr Simon Sinclair, BSc (Hons)

I worked in education for several years as a Director of Sport at Framlingham College (a prestigious independent school in Suffolk) along with overseeing the Elite Player Development Programme for Northampton Saints for the Eastern Region for 10 years.
I then took a full-time role as Head of Academy at Northampton Saints for 3 years overseeing the day to day operation of the academy and supporting/mentoring athletes and staff on and off the field.

In 2019 I was offered the opportunity to join Bedford Modern School as Director of Sport which was a fantastic opportunity to develop my career at a large independent co-educational day school. After three years in this role, and developing a strategy plan which also saw them through Covid-19, I was offered an opportunity to become Chief Operating Officer at a professional rugby club and delivered a successful bid for an elite team to become part of the newly formed Premiership Women’s Rugby. This led to me being elected onto the Board of the PWR as a club representative.

I have a passion for developing, supporting, and mentoring athletes. Having been in both education and professional sport I know what it takes to support athletes transitioning from sport to education. Having developed many sports development plans to make sure that the interest of the student is at the heart of the conversation, I have also found that bringing the key stakeholder groups together helps support this process.  Taking a holistic approach, supporting the whole family is vitally important to a successful experience at all levels of sport.

Read more about the Sports Staff by clicking on the link below.

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