An action shot from the Palmerston North Boys' High School match. Photo credit: Victoria Bovey, Palmerston North Boys' High School.
The event brought together the top 32 secondary school boys football teams for a week of top-level competition. A total of 112 games were held across eight fields, culminating in a final match on the Friday afternoon.
The final ended up being between the same two teams who made the 2025 final: Auckland’s St Kentigern College and Wellington’s Scots College. However, this year the match was a much closer contest. The score was 1-1 at the end of full time and extra time, resulting in a penalty shoot-out that was ultimately won by St Kentigern College.
A new initiative this year was a quiz night for the athletes, hosted by Sport Massey and Future Students. The event was attended by 307 students and held in the Green Room at the Sport and Event Centre. Alongside the quiz, commentator and broadcaster Jason Pine held a Q&A session, and video messages from Football Fern Manaia Elliot and All Whites players Jesse Randall and Callan Elliot, who are all current Massey students, were played to the room. The competition was tight with a team from Wellington College coming out on top at the end of the four rounds.
The quiz night was held at the Sport and Event Centre.
Several out-of-town teams stayed in campus accommodation for the week, giving them a feel for university life. Many of the teams also booked recovery sessions in the cold pool at the Sport and Event Centre throughout the week.
Sport Massey Manager Angela Rainham says it was great to host the footballers on the Manawatū campus.
“The fields were busy over the five days with some tight matches and outstanding talent on show. Congratulations to all of the players, and particularly to Saint Kentigern College for winning the 2026 tournament.”
The event is set to return to Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University in 2027.
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