Approximately 650 netball and rugby players making up 56 teams from primary and secondary schools across Rarotonga competed in the 2022 Rising Stars Championship which closed last Friday at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

Prior to the kick-off on the final day of matches for placings, the inclusive team from Creative Centre had a fun match of Quick Rip against tournament organisers and volunteers. 

“The Rising Stars Championship is an event that highlights we care about our community, social issues, and inclusion,” said Ben Koteka, the Cook Islands Rugby Union Sports Development Manager, and the Rising Stars Competition Manager for the rugby tournament.

“And the tournament facilitates utilising sport to help educate our youth and community.

“Not only do we push the tournament’s core values of striving for excellence, celebrating friendship, and demonstrating respect, but we actively promote the World Rugby values of ‘DRIPS’ - discipline, respect, integrity, passion and solidarity,” Koteka said.

This year’s event addressed social issues of smoking and vaping, which has taken hold of youth from the primary school level and up.  Rising Stars Tournament Director, Jackie Rongo collaborated with Gold sponsor Te Marae Ora to promote education and awareness in the schools and community about the harmful effects of smoking and vaping nicotine products.

 “Our Rising Stars team is extremely grateful to our supporting partners for making this tournament possible since the inception in 2016,” said Rongo.

“Seven years on, we see the vision growing and adjusting each year.  This tournament has given us the platform to help keep our children on better pathways and educate them about finding balance and a healthy lifestyle holistically through sport,” said Rongo.

The Rising Stars executive committee are extremely grateful to Platinum Sponsors Vodafone and Bank of the Cook Islands (founding sponsor) who continue to support the vision and say Meitaki Ma’ata also to the community volunteers as well as the Ministry of Education and participating schools.

Rising Stars is endorsed by Cook Islands Rugby Union, Netball Cook Islands, Cook Islands Sports & National Olympic Committee, the six week sports event was proudly supported by Platinum Sponsors Vodafone and BCI and other supporting partners.

Top prizes sponsored by generous community partners were awarded to the competitors.

The results are as follows. Pe’e - ‘Āpi’i Nikao, Special Mention - Creative Centre. Future Stars Netball 11Under: Most Inspiring Team – Imanuela Akatemia, 1st Nikao Bright Green, 2nd St Joseph’s, 3rd Avarua Red, 4th Arorangi, 5th Nikao Dark Green, 6th Nikao White, 7th Avarua Blue, 8th Nikao Grey, 9th Rutaki, 10th Te Uki Ou White, 11th Takitumu, 12th Imanuela Akatemia.

Future Stars Rugby 11 Under: Most Inspiring Team – Takitumu, 1st Avarua Blue, 2nd Te Uki Ou White, 3rd St Joseph’s, 4th Arorangi, 5th Imanuela Akatemia, 6th Nikao Green, 7th Takitumu, 8th Avarua Red, 9th Rutaki.

Future Stars Netball 13 Under: 1st Avarua Red, 2nd Avarua Blue, 3rd Nukutere, 4th Arorangi, 5th Te Uki Ou White, 6th Nikao Green, 7th Nikao Dark Green, 8th Imanuela Akatemia, 9th Te Uki Ou Blue.

Future Stars Rugby 13 Under: 1st Nikao Green, 2nd Avarua Blue, 3rd Imanuela Akatemi,; 4th Nukutere, 5th Arorangi, 6th Titikaveka, 7th Avarua Red, 8th Nikao White, 9th Te Uki Ou Blue.

Rising Stars Netball 13 Under: 1st Tereora Tiare Māori, 2nd Tereora Tiare Tīpani, 3rd Tereora Tiare Taina, 4th Nukutere.

Rising Stars Rugby 13 Under: 1st Tereora 1, 2nd Titikaveka, 3rd Tereora 2, 4th Nukutere.

Rising Stars Netball 15Under: 1st Tereora Poe Tiare, 2nd Nukutere, 3rd Titikaveka, 4th Tereora Poe Parau.

Rising Stars Rugby 15 Under: 1st Tereora 2, 2nd Nukutere, 3rd Tereora 1, 4th Titikaveka.