Friday 1 August

The countdown is on for the 2025 NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament (NZSST), with just four weeks to go until the biggest edition of the event yet. 

This year’s tournament will be held in Auckland from Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August, across Bruce Pulman Park and Walter Massey Park. 

With 62 teams locked in, over 1,500 players and staff will be involved, supported by hundreds of passionate spectators expected to turn out across the three days. 

The four competition grades remain: Junior/U15 Boys Carnival, Senior Boys Championship, Girls Championship, and Senior Boys Premiership.  

With more teams in each grade than ever before, the competition has lifted another level, and we eagerly anticipate seeing some thrilling football from Aotearoa’s next generation of rugby league stars. 

NZSST has gone from strength-to-strength post-COVID, growing from 22 teams in 2022, to 38 in 2023, and an impressive 49 in 2024. The momentum continues as more schools seize the opportunity to take part in rugby league and compete on the national stage. 

In recent years we’ve witnessed the emergence of St. Thomas of Canterbury College as a new rugby league powerhouse, claiming the Senior Boys Premiership title in both 2023 and 2024, and now eyeing a three-peat. 

Since its introduction in 2022, the Girls Championship has been won by Manurewa High School, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, and Southern Cross Campus. 

The 2025 Tournament promises to be a vibrant celebration of rugby league and our rangatahi. We’re also proud to offer free physio services for players, an activation zone, and a variety of delicious food vendors for all the whānau and supporters to enjoy. 

Stay tuned for more updates and NZSST news to come.