Palmerston North Boys’ High School has a proud rugby history dating back to the school’s foundation in 1902. Since that time PNBHS has been a strong rugby school, one that today sees more than 20 teams playing throughout the season.
These teams compete in local, regional or national competitions and rugby players at PNBHS have the opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest opposition in New Zealand. The Super Eight Schools competition, traditional interschool fixtures and national tournaments ensure that the standard of rugby is consistently high.
Our tradition is important to us. The 1st XV has played Napier Boys’ High School for the Polson Banner, the oldest trophy of its kind in the country, since 1904 and this match is a highlight of the 1st XV calendar. Other fixtures date back to the 1920s and these traditional matches see the 1st XV wearing the famed white jersey, which is reserved for our most important fixtures. In recent years there have been overseas tours for the 1st XV and Development XV, with matches against some of the strongest schools throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as a fixture against the Scotland U18 team.
PNBHS also regularly hosts visiting overseas teams, providing our young men in a range of teams and age-groups the opportunity to play against teams from all around the world.
The school has strong links with the local Manawatu Turbos, with a significant number of PNBHS players representing the province at age group level, and many Old Boys gaining selection for the senior side in the National Provincial Competition.
There are opportunities to work with the Manawatu coaching staff throughout a young man’s time at PNBHS. PNBHS is the perfect place for aspiring young rugby players to develop their game under the tutelage of a number of excellent coaches.
The Sports Development and High Performance Sport Programmes provide the opportunity for selected players at the junior and senior levels to benefit from specialised coaching and conditioning. The school has produced 16 All Blacks and one of them, Bruce Hemara, works with players and coaches as a Rugby Development Officer.
