Photo Credit - Masanori Udagawa / Photowellington.com

Story courtesy of College Sport Media.

A slightly different look to the Trevor Rigby Cup awaits in 2025, with two regular First XIs over the past few years missing out on the Boys Premier grade in Wellington this season. Meanwhile, one side makes its long-awaited return and another potentially resembles a new kid on the block but are well and truly here to play.

St Pat’s Silverstream and Rongotai College won’t be playing in the top grade this year, but Newlands College returns for the first time in 20 years and Hutt Valley High School are in after a three-year absence.

Another change this year sees most regular season league matches played on Friday nights; to mitigate club football clashes on the weekend and so the leading players can play more frequently for their School First XIs.

Last year Wellington College finished as champions, after beating Hutt International Boys’ School on penalties after it was locked up at 1-1 at fulltime.

Following the Trevor Rigby Cup, five schools went to Division 1 Nationals in 2024 during Winter Tournament Week, these being St Pat’s Town (finished eighth), Wellington College (10^th), Rongotai College (12^th), HIBS (25^th) and Scots College (31^st).

This Friday’s opening round matches are: Hutt International Boys’ School v Paraparaumu College; Onslow College v Hutt Valley High School; Scots College v St Pat’s Town; Wellington College v Newlands College (Nationals qualifier).

As is tradition in this space of the past several years, we highlight a player to watch from each team, these being (in alphabetical order by school):

Henry Locke - Hutt International Boys’ School - Having never played football up until last year, Locke quickly established himself as one of the competition's better goalkeepers, producing some ultra impressive saves as HIBS attended a third consecutive Trevor Rigby final only to leave with another silver medal around their necks. Hunter along with attackers Noah West, Jack Young and rock-solid CB Lewis Jeffreys should be odds on to attend a fourth consecutive end of season decider under super coach Jeremy Field. 

Sharmarke Axmed & Ethan Nash (Hutt Valley High School)

Forward Sharmarke Axmed, Sharky is Somalian by origin and arrived in New Zealand from Kenya in 2020 during the pandemic.  Sharky grew up playing street football in Ethiopia from the age of four, his "street" style is still part of his freestyle game.  He made his debut for the HVHS First XI as a Year 10 and now has 39 caps.  He scored 2 vital goals as HVHS came from 3-1 down to qualify for CSW Premier Grade this year. Ethan Nash is from a UK football family; he made his first team debut for HVHS as a Year 9 student and hasn't missed a competitive 1st XI game in the last 3 years amassing 43 caps and should bring up the half century later this year. He is an adaptable player and is comfortable anywhere in midfield or across the back. Ethan led the HVHS Futsal Team to the regional title earlier this year and is the current captain despite being a Year 12 student.

Benji Holden and Fergal Garrett-Knoche - Newlands College - Both have been in Newlands’ First XI from year 11 to year 13. Seeing them rise from Div One to Players Trophy to Trevor Rigby Cup. Alongside captain Liam Boyd-Smith, they look to take on the best teams in Wellington playing an attractive style and system of football that also comes with the development of the players and results. Also keep an eye on Michael and Ryan Lobo to promising midfielders in their maiden First XI year under coach Jaydn Robson Newlands will be a team to keep an eye on in their first stint at the top flight in 20 years. 

Caleb Gray - Onslow College - Onslow’s vice-captain for 2025, Caleb already kept two clean sheets throughout grading in his side’s 0-0 draw with Silverstream and on Monday in their playoff versus Rongotai with what turned into a 3-0 Onslow victory booking them their spot in the Trevor Rigby Cup. 

Harry Howes - Paraparaumu College - Year 12 midfielder Harry Howes returns to the team this year in a more senior role and has been influential in the team’s early success during the qualifying rounds. Harry’s technical ability and tactical understanding make him tough for opposition teams to contain. Harry has also featured heavily so far for his club Te Kotahitanga in their central league two campaign. 

Daniel Haile - St Pat’s Town - In his third and final year for the First XI, Haile scored eight goals in 2024 bagged six goals throughout grading and was rewarded with a Chatham Cup debut at the weekend for Waterside Karori in Palmerston North. Town have a large number of returning players including Xavier, Gazzard-Steele, Surafil Keleab and Zach Benson as they seek their first

Miles Woodhall - Scots College - Attacking midfielder had a stellar end to 2024 for his club side North Wellington bagging numerous goals and assists, playing just behind the two strikers. Miles along with captain Edward Thompson and Matteo Lidstone would start for any First XI nationwide as Scots should be odds on favourites to take part in their first Trevor Rigby Cup final since 2021. Felix Wall and Theo Maitland are promising youngsters to keep an eye on in 2025 and beyond as well. 

Max Buckley - Wellington College - Much like their blue rivals, defending champions Wellington College feature a huge number of returning students that turned out for the First XI in 2024. Maxwell’s fine 2024 season rewarded him with a Central League debut for North Wellington and has featured for a combined total of 146 minutes for their top side already in 2025 across seven games. 

Article added: Friday 06 June 2025