The Mission Cup (Netball) and Te Toa Shield (Hockey) Tournament is an esteemed annual sports exchange uniting our sister schools. Since its inception in 1972, the tournament has fostered great camaraderie and enriched our Mission Spirit. We extend a warm welcome to our fellow Sacred Heart Colleges as we host this year’s tournament.
- Sacred Heart Girls’ College Hamilton
- Sacred Heart College Napier
- St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College Napier
- Sacred Heart Girls’ College New Plymouth
- Sacred Heart College Lower Hutt
- Sacred Heart Girls’ College Oakleigh, Melbourne
This year’s schedule can be found here.
The History of the Mission Cup
Sister Mary Euphrasie was the Principal (1932) of Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, for more than 30 years. During this time, she took a great interest in Netball and was regularly seen on the sidelines encouraging teams.
During the 50’s Sacred Heart, Christchurch and Sacred Heart, Lower Hutt travelled alternatively by ferry to an annual Netball challenge.
The Hanratty family recognised this by donating the trophy on the occasion of Sister Mary Euphrasie’s Golden Jubilee of Religious Profession.
For various reasons, not least the change of the ferry terminal from Lyttelton to Picton, the trophy was only awarded for two years. Both times were won by Lower Hutt. Thereafter it was not used again till 1972.
In the 70’s the trophy was named the Mission Cup and an invitation was extended to the Mission Colleges: Napier, St Joseph’s, New Plymouth, Hamilton and Redwood College, Nelson to participate in an annual tournament at Queen’s Birthday weekend. The tournament was seen as a way to foster the Mission spirit in our Colleges and an opportunity to promote the sport of Netball.
Since 1972:
- Redwood College in Nelson has closed;
- Sacred Heart College, Christchurch has amalgamated with Xavier College and was renamed Catholic Cathedral College, a co-educational school and
- Sacred Heart College, Whanganui, was originally invited to the tournament when Catholic Cathedral College was unable to attend, but then became a regular participant in the tournament and
- Tenison College, Hastings, amalgamated with Sacred Heart College, Napier, in 1983.
When Sacred Heart College Whanganui amalgamated with St Augustine’s College to become Cullinane, it was decided that they would no longer participate in the Mission Cup tournament after 2004.
Each College hosts the tournament on a rotational basis, and where possible, the teams live together in a hostel environment to encourage the growth of friendships.
‘one heart and one soul’
Euphrasie Barbier
The History of the Te Toa Shield
The Te Toa Shield was presented by Valerie Stephenson of Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt in 1982. Sacred Heart College, Napier were the inaugural winners of the shield that year. Since then, the shield has fortunately resided in the current participating schools at some stage.
Unfortunately, there are no records for the 1982 or 1983 tournaments, but according to the information from 1984, all of the current participating schools participated some 30 years ago. This proves that there is a strong history and commitment to this very special occasion.