The 2022 Rising Stars Championship for netball and rugby will be launched today at Raemaru Park, with a total of 57 teams from primary and secondary schools across Rarotonga and almost 650 players competing for the top spot and sponsored prizes.

The championship is supported by platinum sponsors Vodafone and Bank of the Cook Islands (founding sponsor), and other supporting partners.

Tournament director Jackie Rongo, who has been working on the Rising Stars vision since 2016 with her husband Dr Teina Rongo alongside a group of passionate volunteers, said: “Our Rising Stars team is extremely grateful to our supporting partners in our generous community and very excited to be working with ‘Āpi’i Rūtaki this year to host the tournament for 2022.”

“Post-Covid times have been without doubt very interesting, and we are so pleased to be back to a full six-week competition this year weather pending!  “This year is also extra special with the addition of inclusive teams from Creative Centre and schools, which has been the next step in embracing participation across our community.”

The Rising Stars vision comes from a desire to bring the communities together and build resilience through sport. 

From its conception, Rising Stars has worked with community supporters and volunteers to make the dream a reality.

Objectives focus on providing opportunities for talented local juniors to develop their skills, to create a professional tournament to attract young athletes to the sport, to bring rugby and netball interest back into the communities to foster grassroots support, and to develop and strengthen local-based athletes for selection into the national squad.

The tournament also promotes healthy living and being sugar free/fizz free, smoke free, and green alongside core values of discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity.

This year, the Rising Stars Championship continues to link up with the Pacific Sporting Partnership and Healthy Living with Cook Islands Rugby Union and Netball Cook Islands, and also Te Marae Ora with combating non communicable diseases (NCDs) through the “10 Minutes to Change” campaign.

The opening ceremony starts at 11am at the Arorangi Sports Complex with games kicking off after with the Future Stars 11 and under and 13U netball and rugby games for primary schools followed by the Rising Stars 13U and 15U games for secondary schools at 2 pm.

The Rising Stars executive committee are extremely grateful to platinum sponsors Vodafone and Bank of the Cook Islands who continue to support the vision.

Schools are looking forward to the new uniforms sponsored for all teams. Gold sponsors are Te Marae Ora, CITC, the Cook Islands Rugby Union with the PSP Programme, Rongohiva, and Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau.  Parau Pearl sponsors are Captain Tamas, Rongokura Productions, Cook Islands Television, Peramedia, and Akau Film. Pipi Pearl sponsors are KiteSUP, Kuki Tag Adventures, Rehab Rarotonga bus, Palm Grove, Ariki Holidays, and Cook Islands Printing Services. Superstar sponsors are The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, Ministry of Cultural Development, Turamatuitui Bakery, Cook Islands Sports, Arorangi Sports Federation, Cook Islands Building Supplies, The Edgewater Resort & Spa, Island Craft, Moana Sands, The Islander Hotel, RaroXpo, and Kia Orana Values. 

“Meitaki ma’ata also to community volunteers as well as the Ministry of Education and all participating schools!”