Sports News Term 1, Week 1 2026

Welcome back to 2026 and what we are sure will be another great year for St Margaret’s College Sport. The year has started at full pace with sports sign-up on Tuesday for all Y9-13 followed by the first lot of trials for some sports on the Tuesday after school.  The year will be a busy one with a number of big events, including a long list of events in term 1.  We look forward to our whole school Athletics and Swimming days as well as Summer Quad and Summer tournament week.  Once again, we look forward to working with all the talented coaches and managers who make it all possible as well as all the parents and community who make our girls thrive.  LET’S GO SPORT SMC 2026!

ATHLETICS

In early December 2025, a team of eight athletes travelled to Hastings to compete at the 2025 NZSS Athletics Nationals. The team produced some outstanding individual performances, which were well deserved and a true reward for the hard work put in throughout the season. A big thank you to Ian Smallman for managing the team during the event.

Annabelle Smallman: 3rd - Junior Discus

Sascha Mitchell - 2nd - Junior, 3000m. 3rd - Junior 1500m

Lucy Gredig - 2nd - Junior 200m

Well done also to Lucy Gredig, who was awarded the Nick Willis Colgate Scholarship.  This scholarship honours young athletes who demonstrate exceptional performance, sportsmanship and character.

CRICKET

The 1st XI Cricket team rounded out their outstanding 2025 season with a brilliant week of play at the NZSS Cricket Nationals, held in Lincoln in early December, where they proudly claimed the silver medal. Congratulations to Jessica Gearry (Year 11), who was named the St Margaret’s College MVP, and Ciara Hartland (Year 13), who was awarded the overall Tournament MVP. Thank you to Amanda Hardy for her tireless efforts and exceptional organisation, which helped the team perform at the highest level.  

TOUCH

The St Margaret’s College Super Touch team attended the NZSS Touch Nationals in Rotorua in December, marking the school’s first appearance at this prestigious event. The tournament was a fantastic learning opportunity, with the team improving dramatically across the four days of competition. Players gained valuable experience against high-level opposition and showed real commitment to building for the future. Strong leadership from the senior players helped guide the group, while the newer and younger members made excellent contributions and grew in confidence throughout the event.  Overall, it was a rewarding and motivating experience that has set a strong foundation for seasons to come.

VOLLEYBALL

A team of senior volleyball players travelled to the Gold Coast, Australia, in early December to compete in the Australian Schools Volleyball Cup. The tour proved to be an invaluable development opportunity, with significant growth shown both individually and as a team, culminating in an impressive 5th-place finish.  This year, the team will look to defend their national title in March, so this trip was an important step in their preparation.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

6th - 8th February - Rowing Mini Camp - Kaiapoi

9th February - Prem Volleyball starts

11th February - Prems Tennis and Super Touch starts

11th February - Core n’ More starts

14th & 15th February - Senior Netball trials

14th & 15th February - Australian Hockey trials

16th & 17th February - Canterbury Tennis Championships - Wilding Park

16th February - Monday night Volleyball starts

17th February - Canterbury Primary Schools Triathlon

18th February - Wednesday Sport starts

19th February - Y7-13 SMC ATHLETICS DAY - Nga Puna Wai

19th February - Canterbury Secondary Schools Triathlon

20th - 22nd February - Mainland Volleyball Championships - Christchurch

23rd February - Y4-6 Swimming Sports - SMC

25th February - Equestrian Canterbury Dressage Championships - McLeans Island

1st March - SISS Triathlon and Duathlon Championships - Oamaru

6th - 8th March - SISS Rowing - Twizel

8th - 10th March - Summer Quad - Christchurch - Rangi hosting

11th March - Y7-8 Swimming - Zone Qualifiers 

13th - 15th March - Canterbury Championships Volleyball - Christchurch

9th - 15th March - Pre Maadi Camp

16th March - Y7-13 SMC SWIMMING SPORTS DAY - SMC

17th March - CSS Athletics - Nga Puna Wai

20th March - CSS Athletics Finals Day - Nga Puna Wai

21st -22nd March - SISS Touch - Burnside Park

21st -24th March - SISS Water Polo

23rd -28th March - Maadi Cup Rowing - Twizel

23rd - 27th March - NZSS Volleyball Nationals - Palmerston North

23rd - 27th March - NZSS Tennis Championships - Auckland

23rd - 26th March - NZSS - South Island Cup Tennis - Timaru

24th - 26th March - Satellite Volleyball - Christchurch

24th - 26th March - Cricket Ultimate 

25th March - Y5&6 Canterbury Primary Schools Swimming

26th March - Y7&8 Canterbury Primary Schools Swimming

26th - 27th March - NZSS Triathlon - Mt Maunganui

28th - 29th March - SISS Athletics - Nga Puna Wai

3rd - 5th April - NZSS Water Polo Nationals Div 2 - Wellington

6th - 16th April - Netball and Hockey Australian trip