500 kids enjoy Rippa day!

The Avatiu field was a sea of colours as 500 school children gathered for yesterday’s one-day CITC Primary Schools Rippa Rugby tournament.

It was a ripper of day as parents and visitors alike stopped by to watch some fantastic games.

But it wasn’t just the boys showing excellent skills as there were some thrilling games in the girls’ and mixed divisions.

And with four games running at the same time from 8.30am to 1pm – there wasn’t a bored kid in sight.

Parents who made the effort to watch games commented that it was one of the most well organised events they’d seen with volunteers from the school and rugby community chipping in to officiate games.

The day was without doubt a huge success and with ex-All Black fullback Christian Cullen watching – everyone wanted to show the star their moves.

And there were some fantastic moves on the field with the most commonly seen ‘escape’ routine was the twist or twirl.

This is when the player with the ball charges towards the defenders and before the defenders can get a hold of a tag, the ball carrier spins around in the air, twists then turns in an attempt to keep his tags from being ripped off him.

And after a day of rippa action – the two top sporting schools on the island Avatea and Avarua emerged the champions, however there were big cheers all round for all the schools that took part from the smallest school on the island, Rutaki Primary School to Nukutere College and Imanuela Akatemia.

After some close battles, the boys A, B and C divisions were all won by Avarua School.

Avatea took out second in the A and B grades while the red army boys from Arorangi School came second in the C grade.

In the girls category – Avarua won both the A and B divisions while Avatea won the C division.

Avatea then placed second in the A and B divisions and Avarua second in the C division.

In the Mixed division, Avarua again proved too strong with Rutaki Primary School taking out second place.

Congratulations to all the schools that took part in the wonderful day of rippa rugby.