Friday, 21 November 2025 10:55

Big day at Clash of the Colleges

Written by Staff Reporters

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The event featured traditional rural sports like Skellerup’s gumboot throwing.

Craighead Diocesan, Darfield High School and Christchurch Boys' High School took out the three age groups at the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges, which was held at the recent Ashburton A&P Show.

164 students from 11 schools took part in the event, which was supported by Danone, South and Mid Canterbury Community Trust and Ford.

Established by the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, the event motivates, supports, and empowers young peole to pursue careers in the Food and Fibre sector by taking part in an Amazing Race-style competition.

Event manager Daniel O'Regan says it was a fantastic day with students testing their practical skills and industry knowledge while having fun and networking with industry professionals and their peers from across Canterbury and North Otago.

Modules included: Telford - SIT ATV safety, Ford Ranger wheel changing, RX Plastics irrigation setup, Gallagher Break Fencing, St John's first response, Evolution Vets animal health, PGG Wrightson Wool ID & handpiece skills, PGG Wrightson Seeds feeds and seeds ID, Discovery Forestry module, Girls Who Grow and Future Farmers riparian planting.

The energy was burned off with traditional rural sports like Skellerup's gumboot throwing and Harnes Racing's sulky race & Thoroughbred Racing's hobby horse race.

O'Regan had special thanks for Value Pack Meats, Property Brokers, and FMG for hosting the BBQ, and to their volunterrs from MPI On Farm Support, Ashburton High School, Hinds Young Farmers Club, and Growing Future Farmers.

Adding to the excitement, the event was emceed by Tangaroa Walker of Farm 4 Life, a leading agri-edutainment creator with over 340,000 followers.

Participating schools include Ashburton College, Beaconsfield School, Christchurch Boys' High School, Craighead Diocesan School, Darfield High School, Mt Hutt College, Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Timaru Boys' High School, Wakanui Primary School, Waimate High School, and Waitaki Girls' High School.

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