Popular schools event shelved

New Zealand Schools Rugby Union yesterday announced the cancellation of this year’s National Secondary School 1st XV Rugby Championships (known as Top Four).

The Top Four Girls, Top Four Boys and Top Four Co-ed events will not be held, as a result of the delay of the rugby season due to Covid-19.

The championships involve secondary school teams who qualify through their respective regions and was set to be played in Palmerston North during the September winter tournament week.

NZSRU chairman Garry Chronican said that the early decision meant schools and organising committees can now prioritise local competitions.

NZR head of participation and development Steve Lancaster said the organisation backed the cancellation of the event.

School Sport New Zealand CEO Garry Carnachan said many popular sports are faced with similar difficult decisions.

‘‘Schools and organisers have faced significant disruption this year and we are disappointed for those students that were looking forward to these events.’’

Netball New Zealand this week cancelled this year’s secondary school regional and national tournaments. All will be rescheduled next year.

The South Island Secondary Schools, Lower North Island Secondary Schools and Upper North Island Secondary Schools which were to be played in Timaru, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland in early September will remain at the same venues, but will now be played in 2021.

Secondary schools football was cancelled earlier.