About Rongotai BEST Academy
A free, community-backed sports development programme for young people funded by old boys and supporters.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide free, high-quality coaching and positive development opportunities for young people, in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. We use sport to encourage participation, build confidence, wellbeing, teamwork and lifelong values - creating pathways that support students on and off the field.
What We Do
The Rongotai BEST Academy Charitable Trust became an incorporated board of trustees and a registered charity in 2025. RBA provides free coaching, camps and development opportunities that help young people grow as athletes and as people. We focus on skill development, fitness, confidence, teamwork and wellbeing - all delivered in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
Our free programme includes and is planning:
Technical coaching and movement development
Age-appropriate fitness, agility and physical conditioning
Positive team culture, leadership and resilience-building
Mentoring from old boys and community role models
Holiday camps, workshops and guest coaching sessions
Clear expectations, supervision and safeguarding at every event
As the Academy grows, we will expand into new sports and activities and look to create a long-term, sustainable pathway for young people to develop.
Our Values
At RBA, our values shape every session, every interaction and every decision we make.
They come from the Rongotai tradition and guide how we coach, how we learn and how we treat one another.
The Rongotai BEST Academy Charitable Trust
The Rongotai BEST Academy Charitable Trust provides governance, oversight and long-term direction for the Academy. The Trust exists to ensure the programme is safe, sustainable and aligned with our mission of supporting young people.
RBA is still in its early stages and we are building a strong foundation that will allow RBA to grow responsibly and sustainably over time.
The Trust is responsible for:
Financial stewardship and transparent use of funds
Setting long-term strategy and programme priorities
Ensuring all coaching and volunteer staff are appropriately vetted, resourced and trained
Maintaining safeguarding and wellbeing standards
Overseeing programme quality and continuous improvement
Supporting strong relationships with schools, families and supporters.
Leadership & Coaching Team
RBA is guided by a dedicated group of leaders and coaches who bring governance, experience and passion to the development of young people. Our team is responsible for ensuring the Academy is safe, sustainable and aligned with our BEST values.
Leadership
Jeremy Simpson
Chair of the Rongotai BEST Academy Charitable Trust & Old Boy
Jeremy leads the Academy’s vision, programme design and long-term strategy. He oversees school partnerships, governance, funding pathways and operational delivery. His longstanding relationship with Rongotai College and commitment to youth development sit at the heart of the Academy’s creation. Jeremy was a prefect and in the first XV (1980).
Jim Marsh
Trustee & Old Boy
Jimmy supports operational planning, programme structures and marketing. He brings coaching insight, business skills, football academy management expertise and strong ties to Rongotai’s sporting community. He is on the board of Eastern Suburbs AFC in Auckland and was in the Rongotai 1st XI (1975-77).
John Soulis
Trustee & Old Boy
John contributes governance oversight and supports school engagement and community relationships, helping ensure the Academy operates responsibly and cohesively within the wider Rongotai community. An Old Boy of the school, John represented the school in the 1st XI during his time as a student. He has a strong passion for football and is deeply committed to helping young people be their best, both on and off the field.
Matt Eagle
Trustee & Old Boy
Matt is a well-known former teacher of many years at Rongotai College and member of the Old Boy’s Association Board. He has strong connections with many old boys and a deep understanding of pupil and parent expectations and has extensive experience in basketball coaching and administration. Matt was a prefect in 1980.
Chris Osborne
Treasurer & Old Boy
Chris manages financial systems, accounting processes and compliance. He supports the Trust’s commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship of funds and is an owner of Plus Accounting Ltd in Wellington. Chris was First XI captain and prefect in 1993.
Coaching Leadership
Wynton Rufer
Football Director & Old Boy
One of New Zealand’s most celebrated footballers, Wynton leads the Academy’s football development, primary school outreach and coaching model. He brings decades of professional playing and coaching experience, international insight and youth mentoring expertise to RBA.
Patron
Simon Woolf
Patron & Old Boy
Simon is a prominent Rongotai old boy and runs his family photography business and is a Wellington Regional Councillor. He has significant experience across businesses, trusts, charities, sports and local government. He was a member of the First XI from 1975-1978 and is a strong supporter of the school.
Ambassador
Jesse Randall
Partnerships & Community Support
RBA exists because of the strength of the community around it. Our programme is supported by local schools, trusts, sporting organisations, old boys and community partners who share our belief in creating positive opportunities for young people.
Together, these relationships help us provide safe, high-quality coaching, access to facilities, mentoring, and wider development pathways.
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![A logo featuring a shield with the Latin phrase "Lumem Accipe et Imple" around it, and a blue ribbon beneath with an oval shape.]()
Rongotai College
Our home base and key education partner.
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![Coat of arms with a yellow and black shield, a trident, and a scroll with the Latin motto 'Lumen Acipi Et Imperti' in blue.]()
Rongotai Old Boys' Association
A key partner for community and school connection and long-term sustainability.
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![Yellow circular logo with black text reading 'Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust since 1984' and 'Sports Trust' in the center.]()
Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust
Supporting athlete development and community sport and helped fund our December & January holiday camps.
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![Evans Bay Intermediate School logo featuring a stylized creature with a leopard print pattern, and four blue and gray beacons, with school name and Maori translation.]()
Evans Bay Intermediate School
Collaborating to open opportunities for younger students.
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![Neon outline of a soccer ball with text that reads 'Soccer' and 'The Beautiful Game' on a black background.]()
WYNRS
Providing expertise in coaching, movement development and football pathways.
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![HPB logo with an orange symbol above the words 'HPB' and the tagline 'Innovation Advocates' underneath.]()
High Perfromer Building
Supporting the RBA team who are helping young players grow confidence, teamwork, and passion for the game.
These partnerships form the foundation of RBA. They ensure our programme remains accessible, inclusive and sustainable - and they help us build a supportive environment where young people can grow on and off the field.
Safeguarding & Wellbeing Commitment
The safety, wellbeing and positive development of young people sit at the heart of everything we do. RBA is committed to creating fun, inclusive and well-supervised environments where every young person feels supported, respected and able to grow.
We ensure:
All coaches and volunteers are appropriately vetted before working with young people
Every session is actively supervised by trained staff
A zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment or unsafe behaviour
Clear expectations that students follow their school’s code of conduct during all Academy activities
Respect for privacy and image permissions
A focus on wellbeing, resilience, confidence and healthy social environments
RBA works closely with schools, families and community partners to maintain high standards of safety and care across all programmes.