Marcellin College has a history of rugby league, with players like Roy Asotasi and Monty Betham having come through the school, and they are looking to return to those historic ways.

In recent years, the rugby league programme had stalled with the students participating in the school’s rugby union 1^st XV, that was until this season, when the students opted to switch to rugby league, led by their captain Atelea Filo.

Marcellin Head Coach David Osofua, who has been a successful 1^st XV Head Coach in Auckland, talked through how they had decided to make the switch.

“We set up to have a big year of coaching the under-15s in rugby union last year to progress them into 1^st XV this season. Our captain Atelea, was a good league player and was begging for a 1^st XIII in the rugby league competition.”

Captain, Atelea Filo plays for the Mangere East Hawks, as well as being a part of Auckland the NZRL Representative tournaments earlier this year. From there, Osofua gave his captain a chance and called a league meeting to see whether there was much interest from other students.

“I called a meeting and said if you want to play league, turn up. This was me expecting maybe thirteen boys, but our gym was full with over thirty boys there”.

David Osofua and manager Michael Barlow realised that Marcellin College was still a league school, with not many students playing rugby union away from the school, they were more suited to make that switch to league.

Backed by the school Principal Maria Prescott, they agreed that if rugby league is what the students are wanting to play, then they would help facilitate that. Head coach, David Osofua, who has only ever been involved with rugby union, even joined the Mangere East Hawks to help him understand the game.

This week, ahead of their first game this afternoon against Henderson, they held a jersey presentation at the school chapel with whānau and guests, including Auckland Rugby League. ARL CEO, Rebecca Russell spoke to the players and presented their jerseys to mark the occasion for the school.

The school has entered their 1^st XIII into the Senior A competition, as well as another team into the under-15s grade.

College Rugby League returns today at 4:00pm with the boys’ grades of Premier, Senior A and U15s getting underway throughout Tāmaki Makaurau, while the girls' competition kicks off tomorrow afternoon.

You can find the full College Rugby League draw here.

Article added: Wednesday 07 June 2023