A Voice in the Wilderness Archive
Blood, Grit, and Victory – An Immersion in Rugby and Culture
In August 2025, several Shawnigan students and alumni joined Thunder Rugby – an organization that promotes rugby in Indigenous communities across Canada, and a group that Shawnigan is proud to partner with – on a trip to New Zealand, where they immersed themselves in the rugby and Māori cultures. Two of the Shawnigan students who made the trip shared their reflections about what made the trip memorable and meaningful for them
In August, I had the opportunity to travel with Thunder Rugby to the north island of New Zealand, or Aotearoa in the Māori language.
Some of my best memories were sleeping in the marae (communal or sacred places that serve religious and social purposes), experiencing the haka (ceremonial dance), and visiting the different schools. The first marae we visited was on a hilltop in Auckland overlooking the ocean. The carvings inside were stunning and it was warm and welcoming.
Our first game in Auckland was against Grammar TEC RC. It was a real wow moment for all of us. Watching the other team step onto the field made me feel like I was in a dream.
In terms of the schools we visited, Te Aute College was one of the most interesting. It was very different from Shawnigan, as the boys have to wake up at 4 a.m. if they want to work out, since that is the only time they have. The rest of the boys wake up at 5:30 a.m. Chores are a major part of their school program. They all must complete chores to look after their school. The students also have to march to Chapel. It was the singing that was the most memorable part. These guys can really sing. Their singing was so powerful. They were all in harmony and the joy for the singing is truly incredible. I felt so moved to see what they do in their chapel. It was truly an amazing experience.
We also played rugby against them. The team tried to intimidate us with the haka, but it fired us up and our energy matched theirs. Blood. Grit. It was a true battle until the end against their first XV team. In the end, we won, 16-15. Victory.
Thank you to Mr. Clay Panga, Mr. John Lyall, Ms. Noelani Avveduti, and Mr. Elliot Logan for supporting our team on this amazing adventure.
The day we left for New Zealand was supposed to be the biggest day of my life, but there was one problem: when I got to the airport, I realized I had the wrong visa. I was devastated, and I had to wait five more days to get my paperwork sorted.
Finally, the day came when I could leave. I landed safely in New Zealand and joined my Thunder Rugby teammates. That first day, I was so happy – it was one of the most exciting moments in my life to arrive in New Zealand.
My experience in New Zealand was fantastic – especially the rugby and the culture. My first game was so great, as we played against a high school 1st XV team. The team was pretty good, but we won 16-15, and I scored my first try in New Zealand in that first game. It was so cool watching the team do the haka. It was pretty amazing because I had always watched the haka on TV while watching the New Zealand national team, but to be standing on the field and having the experience myself – wow.
Thank you to Mr. Panga and the other organizers.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
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