Term 1 2025

In Term 1, Albany Senior High School launched an exciting new initiative: the Basketball Boys Academy—a programme designed to create connection, mentorship, and opportunity through sport. The Academy was the brainchild of our basketball coach Matt Cowie, who has been a driving force behind our wider Basketball Project, focused on engaging and supporting our young tāne in meaningful ways. He's also our leader and mentor for Sunday Hoops, a free basketball initiative that brings our community together to shoot some hoops.

With generous support from the Heart for Youth Trust, the Academy offered students from both Albany Senior High School and Albany Junior High School a chance to train with Lucas Schnuriger, a coach from the BNZ Breakers for 9 weeks. Every Monday morning before school, the boys showed up not only to build their skills but also to better connection, confidence, and culture.

As Coach Lucas put it, "What stood out most to me was the strong emphasis on community impact – it was about so much more than just basketball. I could tell that for some of them, this was something they might not have come to if it wasn’t free – but once they were there, they found something they enjoyed and that took their minds off other things."

Throughout the term, the Academy sessions became a safe, positive space for the boys to show up, work hard, and be seen. There was hype when someone nailed a difficult shot, games before training with mates, and the kind of energy that reminds us why sport matters.

Coach Lucas reflected:

“These boys reminded me of the pure reason why everyone starts playing. You’re building something really special up here—creating impact through community, prioritising culture and environment first, and letting basketball come second.”

The feedback from the boys was overwhelmingly positive, with many asking when the Academy would return. That sense of belonging, growth and fun is exactly what we hoped to achieve.

A massive mihi to Heart for Youth, Coach Lucas, Matt Cowie, and all the staff who helped bring this kaupapa to life. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see where our boys go next.

17-18 March 2025

We were proud to have four of our talented riders represent ASHS at this year's Pegasus Cup, held at the stunning Takapoto Estate. Competing in the show jumping events, our team brought incredible energy, teamwork, and spirit to the two-day competition.

The weather turned it on, and the girls looked sharp in their team colours – supporting each other every step of the way and giving it their all in the ring.

Our Pegasus Cup riders were:
Amelie Nielsen on Puma
Elle Kim on Piano Hill Liebeschnee
Taylor Rawbone on Pure Battalion
Violet Jones on Donatellos Dream

We’re so proud of these riders (and their beautiful horses!) for representing us with such skill and passion. Ka mau te wehi!

17 October 2024

Albany Senior High School (ASHS) is seeking a passionate and dedicated Boys Football Coach. We’re looking for someone committed to improving team standards and culture while providing mentorship to our student-athletes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop training sessions and game strategies

• Foster teamwork and sportsmanship

• Communicate effectively with players and parents

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of football

• Proven leadership and communication skills

• Experience with young athletes

Season Details:

• Duration: May - August

• Games: Friday nights or Saturday mornings

• Practices: Two per week, starting in April

Compensation:

• Negotiable based on experience.

Email: sports@ashs.school.nz

17 October 2024

The first week of September was an exciting and eventful time for our school sports teams as they competed in various tournaments across the North Island.

Netball Girls 

For the first time, our netball girls played in the B grade at the UNISS tournament in Waitakere, moving up from last year’s C grade. They demonstrated remarkable skill and determination, finishing 21st out of 32 teams. Their hard work and perseverance were commendable! Huge thank you to coaches Kelly and Liv who were also camp mums for the week with support from the Cowie family. The girls held their own and couldn't have done it without you.

Football Girls

The football girls competed in the Kathy Seaward tournament in Taupo, where they truly shone. Despite facing some tough losses, the team's culture and environment were incredible. They supported one another throughout the week, creating a positive atmosphere that highlighted their camaraderie. The Year 13 students were celebrated on the final day, marking a bittersweet farewell. A special shout-out goes to Nigel and Kieran, who went above and beyond to ensure the girls had a memorable experience. The team finished 20th out of 32, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts!

Football Boys

The football boys also had a great week at the Malcolm Cowie tournament in Whangarei. They faced challenges head-on and showed tremendous perseverance, proving that teamwork and resilience can lead to success, regardless of the score. 

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support from our parents and helpers throughout the week. Your encouragement and dedication made a significant impact on our teams. Thank you for being the backbone of our sports community!

We’re looking forward to seeing what our athletes will achieve next!

1st August 2024

Lucas Mathison recently represented Aotearoa in LA playing in the North American Roller Hockey Championships (NARCh). He played in the U16 Gold and Silver, as well as the U18 Gold and Silver divisions. It was a tough tournament. 

The Canadian and American teams were just next level and they really got a taste of the kind of aggression and contact permitted in the sport over there.

Lucas as a goalie had a massive job and excelled beyond expectations!

We love to see our students shine in all sports! If you have a sporting result to share, email us at sports@ashs.school.nz

19th March 2024

Atiria Thompson did our school proud at the Waka Ama Secondary Schools National Championships held at Tikitapu (Blue Lake) in Rotorua. 

Atiria made the Te Ihu (Champ) Final for the Under 19’s W1 Women’s division and gave it her best shot representing ASHS against some tough competition. And what an awesome shot of her on the water!

Ka rawe! 

5th September 2023

Olivia Fox is over in Singapore for the National Championships in diving. Riley Oxenham from AJHS is also there. Out of 5 categories, Olivia placed on the podium in all 5 including 2 with Riley!

How good! Huge congratulations to you both!

Results:

Gold 1m

Gold 3m

Silver Platform

Silver Platform synchro (with Riley Oxenham from AJHS)

Bronze 3m synchro (with Riley)  

5th September 2023

Last week we had 3 teams go off to 3 different tournaments in 3 different cities which meant we were very busy going in between all the games!

Huge thank you to our SL team that either showed up to support our teams on the sideline and offering to give them rides. Hamish drove down our football boys to Papakura, Klaris went to Hamilton to watch our netball team and Claire went to the football girls game in Whangarei! It makes a huge difference to the students to have you involved so a massive thank you!

Football boys

They had a tough tournament! The football boys represented ASHS with pride last week at tournament. We are so proud of their attitude and resilience. Their team spirit really shone through despite some disappointing results. Their attitude throughout was really admirable!

Football girls

Our football girls had an awesome week ending up 10th in their grade out of 24! We think coach Kieran wrapped it up perfectly: "Awesome work this week girls. We played some really good football and had some good times too. You all did amazing and I hope you all had a great time. Thank you to all the parents and family members who came up to support and big thanks again to Nadine, Mat and Sam for all your help off the field"

Shiv also helped them out! There's an awesome photo on our socials of them all celebrating one of their wins. It's worth a look!

Netball girls

Our UNISS team really smashed it as well. They ended up 15th in a field of 32 great teams! Well done to our coaching team Kelly, Liv and Kate. We are so grateful to them for going above and beyond with our students throughout the week. Also huge thank you to all the staff and parents involved in fundraising, on and off court support and more! We're very proud of all your hard work as a team 

17th July 2023

Congratulations to Lucas Mathison who represented the Kakako Conference in the Inline Hockey Inter Conference Championships and won a Gold medal for his age grade.

Lucas plays goalie in Inline Hockey and was also selected to represent New Zealand in the USA. Unfortunately, he had to pass up this opportunity but it's awesome to see his hard work paying off with an important selection to this international team!

Pictured are photos from the tournament which was held in New Plymouth over the term 2 school holidays.

Congratulations!

17th July 2023

Abbie Cowie and Tayla Faulkner are making a difference to the kids of Fiji with their impact project. They organised for sports uniforms to be donated and sent to the Kaba Community.

The uniforms will go a long way to make sport more accessible to the kids living in the Vatani and Dromuna villages. Pictured are the kids from Kaba Primary School looking ecstatic with their new uniforms.

Here's an email from Kaba Primary School:

On behalf of the 70 children, six teachers, parents, school management committee and the whole community of Kaba (Vatani and Dromuna villages) we wish to inform you of our deep thanks and appreciation for the kind donations of sports uniforms to our school.

You were able to put Colgate smiles to our children. We know that Toberua Island resort is a staunch supporter of education especially in Kaba Primary School.

We hope that we will continue our partnership to the future. It will an immense great to the community as whole as it will obviously lift the standard of our living thus eradicate poverty.

We are proud of our sports students. Abbie Cowie plays volleyball and is in Netball Team 1 and Tayla Faulkner plays club waterpolo, volleyball and netball.

20th June 2023

Our Upper North Island Secondary School Netball Squad are hosting a quiz night to fundraise for tournament! Support them by purchasing a $15 ticket or book as a group and save! Guaranteed fun night out for you and your crew!

Theme: Tacky Tourist

Location: BROWNS BAY BOWLS CLUB 784 BEACH ROAD

Click here to learn more!

16th June 2023

We celebrated Pride this year by hosting a roller disco in the school theatre in collaboration with our SAGA students and Sports Committee students. The groups worked hard together to gather students at lunch and had a huge turn out to help celebrate. Teachers and students alike enjoyed giving skating a go with lots of laughs and a great attitude.

Pride Students are a community that are often inactive at ASHS. This initiative is part of our work here at ASHS to make sure as many students are engaged in physical activity as possible. We truly believe physical activity is for EVERYONE. Our informal pick up and play programmes are great for those students who don't feel that competitive sport is for them but still want to participate and have fun with their friends. 

We look forward to hosting more roller skating sessions in the future!

June 2023

Our student super star Olivia has been busy this month competing in the National Champs for Diving in the Junior Elite level. She took home an impressive medal haul and is now looking ahead to competing internationally later this year! We wish her all the best for her upcoming competitions and look forward to sharing more results from her soon!

Results:

Gold - 3m Springboard 

Silver - Platform and 1m Springboard 

Gold - knockout comp 15 to 16 mixed

Gold - team event

Silver - Mixed Synchro 14 to 17 years

Thursday 27th April 2023

Ten sports teams from ASHS and AJHS and our ASHS kapa haka travelled down to Rototuna, Hamilton for a sports exchange day against their senior and junior schools. Our football, basketball, netball, volleyball, hockey and touch teams headed down for a full day of sport in the beautiful Waikato sun.