The 2025 Rising Stars Championship finals in rugby and netball were held on Friday at Raemaru Park in Arorangi.

In the Under-11 Rippa rugby boys’ competition, Avarua Red finished on top, followed by Rutaki in second, Te Uki Ou in third and Avarua Blue in fourth place.

In the U13 boys’ division, Nikao Green took the title, with Nukutere College finishing second and Avarua Red in third.

In the U11 girls’ competition, St Joeseph placed first followed by Takitumu in second while Nikao Green won first place in the U13 girls followed by Titikaveka in second.

The rugby 7s finals were held after the Rippa rugby competition.

In the U14 boys’ division, Tereora College I placed first, followed by Nukutere in second and Titikaveka in third place.

Nukutere College won the U16 title followed by Tereora I and Tereora II in second and third places, respectively.

The U18s finals, which drew a good crowd, concluded Friday’s competition. Tereora Maungaroa were crowned the champions, with fellow school teams Te Kou and Te Manga finishing in second and third places, respectively.

According to tournament director, Jackie Rongo, this year’s tournament ran smoothly with “minor issues and more opportunities” to new additions.

There were some special guests and volunteers from overseas who attended the tournament to work with Rongo and her team.

“Post-tournament, we will get their feedback and it will help us to become more efficient next year, if we work within this same format of four-week tournament.”

Rongo shared with Cook Islands News their plans for the Rising Stars Championship.

“We look forward to taking Rising Stars to Aitutaki next, possibly in Term 3. We flew over last week, Monday, to engage with the schools and also the Aitutaki Sports Association supporting this initiative coming over.”