Highlanders select 48-man squad for Secondary Schools Camp

A Highlanders Schools squad will assemble for a 5-day camp hosted at John McGlashan College from the 4^th to the 8^th of October. This will be the biggest Highlanders Secondary Schools camp with 48-players selected from over the Highlanders region and eight local coaches from Otago, Southland and North Otago and is being held off the back of a strong year of secondary school rugby for the teams within the Highlanders region.  

The main purpose of the camp is to develop the very best talent in the region and provide them the skills and opportunity to further playing aspirations. During the camp players will learn tactical and technical aspects of the game as well getting a better understanding of sports nutrition. Importance placed on players’ understanding the balance required, on and off the field, to become a well-rounded athlete, and preparing them for the transition from schoolboy to men’s game.

“The first couple of years out of school can be challenging for an aspirant young rugby player. This camp gives us the opportunity to provide them with some insights around the challenges they may face and the tools to work through these challenges when/if they arise” said Otago Rugby Regional Development Coach, Will Henry.

The squad is made up of a wide variety of players from around the Highlanders region with 2023 New Zealand National Secondary School’s First XV champions, Southland Boys High School, being well represented with 14 players including Captain, and son of former Highlander, Jason Rutledge.

Otago Boys High School also has strong representation, and the remainder of the squad is spread across Kings High School, John McGlashan College, Waitaki Boys High School, Gore High School, St Peter’s Gore, Taieri College and Wakatipu High School.  

The squad includes NZ Secondary Schools team representatives Quinten Holland (KHS), Kiseki Fifita (SBHS) and Dylan Pledger (KHS) who are currently away with the NZ Secondary Schools team in Canberra, Australia for a two-game tour against the Australian U18 team.

Coaches for the week are drawn from throughout the Highlanders region including Scott Eade (Southland), Josh Phipps (North Otago) and Regan Turoa (Otago) and will be supported by a strength and conditioning trainer, nutritionist, mental skills trainer and analysts. The 5-day camp culminates with an internal game where the on-field skills and learnings from the camp will be able to be applied in a game setting.

Current Highlanders Josh Dickson, Sean Withy, Cameron Millar, Jermaine Ainsley and Josh Timu have all attended past camps.

“These camps are definitely part of the pathway for our local players to showcase and further develop their talent, it’s a great opportunity for the young players from our region” said Highlanders Talent Development Manager, Kane Jury.

Highlanders Secondary Schools Camp Squad: 

Unavailable for selection (due to injury): Preston Evans

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