Wellington | June 2026

On 3 June 2026 the Rongotai College Old Boys Assn (RCOBA) and the Rongotai BEST Academy (RBA) hosted the Football Banner Unveiling event in the school gymnasium celebrating the national titles won by the First XI in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979 and 1989, a golden period of football at the school. The Banner Project celebrates sporting excellence with the banners a permanent reminder that is visible to future students and helping them to take pride in the school and strive for future excellence. We look forward to working with RCOBA on future banner events celebrating the success of other sports.

The evening doubled as the Wellington launch for RBA, following our Auckland launch event in April and was a chance for our Chairman Jeremy Simpson to provide more old boys with the story about the formation of RBA in 2025 with our registration as as charity and our mission to provide fun, safe and inclusive free coaching designed to help young people participate, grow in skill, confidence and well being.

The day and evening was a memorable occasion with around 50 old boys, family members and supporters in attendance. Special thanks to the old boys that travelled. It was great to have many of the players from the winning teams as well as two coaches Paul Cameron and Wayne Nichols. We acknowledged the sad passing of legendary school teacher and coach Bruce Simpson who made a major contribution to this period of footballing success, and late old boys and team members Andrew Bayliss, Michael Howard and Paul Bagshaw. Jamal Fiso, the President of RCOBA spoke about the history of the banner project and its role in helping cement the schools values of being respectful, encouraging brotherhood, striving for excellence and taking pride. Also attending were current teachers including the Principal Kevin Carter who spoke about plans for the school’s centenary celebrations in 2028 plus two members of the current First XI. In attendance from RBA was the full board of trustees being Jeremy Simpson, Jim Marsh, John Soulis and Matt Eagle and a large number of old boys who have helped RBA significantly in its establishment.

Following the awarding of school caps to old boys and All Whites Wynton Rufer and Jesse Randall at our Auckland launch, Jeremy presented caps to All Whites Paul Cameron and Shane Rufer.