Sports News Term 3, Week 6 2026

It has been another two very busy weeks of sport at St Margaret’s, and as we head into Winter Tournament Week next week, SMC has plenty of reasons to celebrate the season we have had so far.

Last Wednesday night, our Senior A Netball girls once again took out the SuperNet title. In what was a thrilling game that kept supporters on the edge of their seats, the girls showed incredible composure, worked hard for each other and pulled together as a team to come away with an outstanding victory over a very strong StAC team. It was a fantastic result and a well-deserved reward for all their hard work throughout the season.

Not to be outdone, our 1st XI Hockey girls had their final last Friday and also came away as champions. In front of a loud and enthusiastic SMC crowd, the girls made a brilliant start and controlled the game throughout, eventually claiming the title and adding another hockey trophy to the SMC cabinet. Another fantastic achievement for the team!

As we send our Junior Basketball, Senior Basketball, Football, Hockey 1st and 2nd XI, Rugby 10s, Badminton, Netball, Cycling, Equestrian and Skiing teams away to tournaments around the country next week, we wish all our girls the very best for what will be a massive week of sport.

A huge thank you to all the coaches and managers who will be travelling with our teams and supporting the girls throughout the week. And, of course, a massive thank you to our parents and supporters who will be cheering the girls on from the sidelines and following their results from home.

We look forward to hearing how everyone gets on and, hopefully, welcoming plenty more silverware back to SMC.

Good luck to all our teams, GO SMC!!!

SPORTS REPORTS

BADMINTON

This has been an awesome season for Badminton at SMC. As we officially wrap up the winter season this month, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our achievements and celebrate what has been a busy yet rewarding year.

One of the biggest highlights has been the incredible growth in participation. This year, we have entered a total of 12 teams, covering both competitive and social players, with over 60 keen players. We entered three teams in the competitive category, and to encourage participation and a love for the sport, we also entered 9 social teams who played for fun and fitness.

Our competitive teams performed at an exceptional level. The Senior A team fought hard throughout the season, securing a well-deserved 4th place in the Premier grade, showing great consistency and sportsmanship. Meanwhile, our Senior B team started the season unbeaten in Grade A Division 2.  Demonstrating incredible drive and ambition, they requested a mid-season upgrade to the Premier division to challenge themselves against more advanced opposition. I also want to congratulate the Shuttle Surfers, our third competitive team, who placed 4th in their respective division.

With the winter sports season coming to an end, we are looking forward to the NZSS Badminton Championships in Wellington next week. We wish all our representatives the very best of luck! Go out there and make SMC proud.

Tina Xiu - Badminton Head of Code

YEAR 6 BASKETBALL

The Year 6 SMC Magic team delivered an outstanding performance at the Primary Sports Canterbury Basketball Competition. Playing with immense pride, mana, and exceptional teamwork, the girls powered through pool play undefeated with three strong wins and a draw to finish top of their pool.  After advancing to the semi-finals, they put up a tough fight against St Joseph’s Primary, followed by a nail-biting third/fourth place playoff against Selwyn House. Though both matches ended in narrow losses, the team's resilience and spirit shone through all day long. Huge congratulations to SMC Magic on a fantastic tournament.

BASKETBALL SEASON WRAP UP

This season has been a standout year for basketball at St Margaret’s College, defined by high participation, individual development, and competitive grit across all age brackets. Our Senior A team set the standard by powering through their best year yet, under coach Stacey Hickford, finishing an impressive 4th place in the competitive premier Division 1 Whelan Trophy competition and setting their sights high for the South Island Secondary Schools (SISS) tournament here in Christchurch on the 2nd - 5th of September at Parakiore. The future remains bright as the Junior A team delivered a dominant run of their own, securing a fantastic 4th place finish in their league as they head into Junior SISS, which is also here at Parakiore from 29th August  - 1st September.  Talent continues to grow across all age groups: both the Green and Blue teams battled fiercely in the Year 9/10 grade, while the Year 7/8 grades demonstrated fantastic depth. Not to be overlooked, our youngest players in the Junior School are also building a strong foundation for the future of the SMC basketball programme. A massive congratulations to Lilia Hatton, Year 9 and Annabell Johns, Year 11, who made the U16 North Canterbury team that went to Nationals. Joined at U16 Nationals by Libby Clarkson, Year 9, representing Canterbury in the U16 grade. Shaye Edwards and Alyssa Clarkson, both Year 11, were selected for the Canterbury U18 team and also went on to represent Canterbury at the U18 Nationals.

Lucie Davis - Basketball Head of Code

HOCKEY SEASON WRAP UP

SMC had 6 teams competing this year with 85 Year 9-13 girls participating! We also had 7 teams in the Junior school with girls from Year 3-8 who competed on Saturdays and had a very enjoyable season and learned lots. Our 1st XI retained the shield the entire season and were the SSP Champions, beating St Andrew’s in the final 3-0! They are heading to Whangarei for the Fed Cup National Tournament, aiming to bring home the Fed Cup as back-to-back National Champions. The 2nd XI won the SSL Div 1 league, beating CGHS in the final; they are heading to Stratford for the Chris Arthur 2nd XI National Tournament. The Green Team had an unbeaten season and won the SSL Div 4 league, beating St Andrews in the final. The Red Team came third in the Div 2 league and the White and Silver teams finished in the lower half of their leagues after some close games and tough competition. We want to say a big thank you to all of the Coaches and Managers of these teams for their support this season! 

We also have had lots of SMC students representing Canterbury 

Canterbury U18A: Ciara Hartland, Greta Dalling, Tilly O'Donnell, Stella Valentine

Canterbury U18B: Gen Surridge, Maya Young

Canterbury U16 Team: Grace Jones, Isabella Stattery-Shannon, Jess Gearry, Kaia Hartstonge, Lily Taylor, Maisie Diver

U18 Alpiners Camp: Ciara Hartland, Gen Surridge, Greta Dalling, Tilly O’Donnell, Stella Valentine

Good luck to the 1st XI and 2nd XI for their tournaments! Make your moments matter!! 

Maya Young - Hockey Head of Code

NETBALL SEASON WRAP UP

It has been a very successful season for netball at SMC, with 19 Year 9-13 teams competing across Saturday and Wednesday grades each week.  Our Saturday teams performed strongly, with Senior A, Senior Blue, Senior Green, 13A, 11A, 10A, 10B  and 9A all finishing in the top four of their respective grades.  The 10A had a spectacular win on Saturday to take out the Year 10 title for the second year in a row.  

Wednesday netball was also highly successful, with the Senior A becoming Supernet champions last week, in what can only be described as a thrilling game.   The Senior Blue team took out the Senior A, edging out the Senior Green team in the final.  With another 7 teams finishing in the top 3 of their Wednesday grades, it really was a successful season as far as results go.

At the South Island Secondary Schools tournament, the 10A finished 5th, and 9A finished 3rd, representing the school with pride and competing strongly against other schools from across the South Island.

We are also proud to recognise our Canterbury U18 and U16 representative players:  Lucy Farrell, Year 13, Sophie Ockwell, Ruby Darwen, Elsie Seeto, Tatiana Matea, Year 12, Eva Grace, Grace Millar, Shaye Edwards, Alex Campbell, Alyssa Clarkson, Tayla Pou, Sophie Forward, Year 11, and Mackenzie Williams, Year 10.  

Overall, it has been a fantastic season, with all teams showing great commitment, teamwork and development throughout the year. Congratulations to all players, coaches and supporters on an excellent season.  

Katy Brown - Netball Head of Code

CELEBRATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Do you have anything to share with us? We want to get better at sharing the amazing things our girls are achieving, but we can’t if we don’t know about it, and we don’t want to miss anyone out.  Please tell us, share, share, share!!!  sport@stamargarets.school.nz 

Congratulations to Aisha Lee, Year 8, for her recent golf award.  At the Canterbury Golf award evening on 21st August, Aisha received Promising Junior Golfer of the Year. This award is based on the achievements of the tournaments 2025~2026.  

Old Girl Emma Hoskins has had amazing success at the U21 World Korfball Championships recently, playing a key role in the team that gained their highest ever world placing.  Check out this great article on Emma and her achievements.

https://hail.to/mixx-korfball/article/CIdTVQo

Mackenzie Welsh, Year 8, has been selected into the New Zealand Cadet Petite Aerobic and Fitness team to compete in the FISAF International competition in Invercargill in November.  We look forward to hearing how you go, Mackenzie.
 

SUMMER SPORT

All summer sport sign-ups have now been completed for Year 7 -13. By Friday, you should have received a letter indicating any sports that your daughter has signed up for, including trial dates and season information.  If you feel like you have been missed for a sport, please contact: sport@stmargarets.school.nz

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