new principal John Kendall<\/a>, who, alongside head of sport Bruce Buckton, senior staff, and community support staff, have laid the foundation for cricket\u2019s rebirth at the school.<\/p>\nAt the heart of the resurgence is the Rotorua Boys\u2019 High School Cricket Academy, a full-time programme launched in early 2024 that combines academic rigor with high-performance cricket development. <\/p>\n
Spearheaded by Simmons, the academy gives young cricketers access to elite coaching, strength and conditioning, tactical awareness training and regular match play across all formats.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving been here during the school\u2019s golden years, it\u2019s a privilege to return and help rebuild something special,\u201d Simmons said.<\/p>\n
He said the academy operated year-round, blending winter training blocks with competitive summer scheduling with a strong emphasis placed on technical refinement, match awareness and character development. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not just creating cricketers \u2013 we\u2019re nurturing well-rounded young men who understand the value of discipline, commitment and legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Raukura 1st XI: A team reborn<\/p>\n
2025 marked the return of the Raukura 1st XI, the flagship school side now competing in the Lakelands Championship. <\/p>\n
Playing in the navy blue once again, the team has already begun to turn heads in its inaugural season back.<\/p>\n
A strong return in the Super 8 tournament in January saw the side finishing fifth in one of the most competitive schoolboy tournaments in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
![\"A]()
A match at Rotorua Boys’ High School last summer. Photo \/ Rotorua Boys’ High School.<\/p>\n
An impressive run in the local Lakelands T20 Championship saw the side reach a final, falling just one run short of winning in a thrilling match against BOP Indians.<\/p>\n
Several close contests also saw the side finish fifth in the Lakelands 40-over competition.<\/p>\n
For a team with no competitive history in the last decade, these results spoke volumes, Simmons said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe squad\u2019s blend of academy-developed players and natural talent has given Raukura a competitive edge, matched only by its hunger to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
A new era with Central Cricket Club: Raukura Central<\/p>\n
The school has entered a joint venture with Central Cricket Club in the Bay of Plenty Premier Men\u2019s competition. <\/p>\n
The result is Raukura Central, a combined senior team that plays under a shared identity with players from both the school and the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis partnership is about bridging the gap between youth and adult cricket,\u201d Buckton said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur top players are now emerging in one of the strongest regional leagues, which is critical for their development.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raukura Central gives academy and school players exposure to higher-level cricket while allowing senior players from the community to contribute through mentorship, stability, and leadership.<\/p>\n
While T20s and one-day matches continue to dominate the school cricket calendar, Raukura has made a clear statement about its values by entering its Under-15 team into the Seddon Cup, a unique 100-over declaration format competition designed to revive the long format of the game in the region.<\/p>\n
Played against regional rivals, the competition has a strong emphasis on tactical patience, batting time, and traditional cricketing virtues \u2014 areas often overlooked in the modern age.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Seddon Cup is about more than cricket \u2014 it\u2019s about mindset,\u201d Simmons said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese boys are learning how to build innings, bowl long spells, and understand the nuances of the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where real development happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Village Green alive again<\/p>\n
Another symbol of the school\u2019s cricketing rebirth is the refurbishment of the school\u2019s traditional grass cricket block. <\/p>\n
It has been restored to a picturesque, village green-style ground in summer where home matches are once again part of the school\u2019s weekly rhythm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feeling of walking out to bat on our home turf again is something we\u2019ll never take for granted,\u201d Raukura captain Peter Austin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just a field \u2014 it\u2019s a legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Families, staff, and the wider Rotorua community now gather on Saturdays to support the school, bringing the spirit that reflects the school\u2019s commitment to reconnecting with its cricketing past.<\/p>\n
![\"Rotorua]()
Rotorua Boys’ High School\u2019s traditional grass cricket block has been restored to a picturesque, village green-style ground in summer. Photo \/ Rotorua Boys’ High School.<\/p>\n
After re-entering competition, Raukura wasted no time throwing its hat into the ring for New Zealand school cricket\u2019s biggest prize: the Gillette Cup. <\/p>\n
Although 2025 marked their return to the qualifying rounds, the goal is clear \u2014 top eight in the Northern Districts region by 2026.<\/p>\n
With every match serving as both a test and a measure of growth, the program is laying down solid markers, identifying leaders, and targeting the elite level with realistic confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not rushing it,\u201d Simmons said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut we are building the right way \u2014 from the bottom up and we know that by making the top eight in our region we would be tracking in the right direction\u201d.<\/p>\n
Looking abroad: Development squad heads to India<\/p>\n
In September, the Raukura Development Squad embark on a five-match tour of India, taking on academy and school teams in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, and Mumbai.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndia will be a game-changer,\u201d Buckton said. <\/p>\n
\u201cTo expose our boys to international cricket, subcontinent conditions, and a cricket-mad culture is something few New Zealand schools offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tour will focus not only on performance but also on cultural experience, resilience, and global understanding of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simmons said with so many layers \u2014 from foundational work by our leadership group, to current staff support, to alumni involvement \u2014 the school had not just revived cricket, it had redefined what school cricket in the Bay of Plenty could look like.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a generational shift. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not chasing quick wins. We\u2019re building a program that kids in Year 6 and 7 are already dreaming about joining. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd for the first time in a long time, they won\u2019t have to leave Rotorua to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRaukura cricket is back \u2014 and it\u2019s here to stay.”<\/p>\n
Key Milestones (2024\/25):<\/p>\n
Full-time Cricket Academy launched under Jeff SimmonsRaukura 1st XI returns, finishes 5th at Super 8T20 Finalists and 5th in 40-over Lakelands ChampionshipUnder-15s compete in Seddon Cup long formatRaukura Central formed in Premier BOP club cricketRefurbished cricket block reopenedGillette Cup qualifiers enteredIndia Tour set for September 2025<\/p>\n
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