Student-led Rippa Rugby Tournament

What an incredible example of learning through play in action!

Lachie and Kahu (Year 6) planned, organised, and ran a full Rippa Rugby tournament. They stepped into the roles of coaches, referees, and organisers, learning on the spot and modelling real leadership and event management skills.
The result? A fantastic, inclusive event where some students who don’t usually play got involved, supported by more experienced players who helped develop skills and confidence across the field.

Beyond the game, these boys were building real-world skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, inclusion, and sportsmanship, all in a context they were passionate about.
Opportunities like this show what happens when students are trusted to lead: learning becomes meaningful, active, and powerful.

Student voice from Lachie & Kahu:
What did you learn about running a tournament?
"We had to communicate and work together to get it going. We had to talk to the teams and get them to line up and listen."
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What did you notice about those who don't usually play rippa or rugby?
"At first the people who did know how to play didn't share. So I stopped the game and highlighted that. It gave others an opportunity to get involved. If they didn't know how to play, they were learning how to play by the end of the tournament."