Former ABs Sevens stalwart plans to take Sacred Heart back to the top

An Auckland high school hopes to stage a major rugby comeback, recruiting a new management team and a Commonwealth Games gold-medalist sevens player as coach.

Sacred Heart College has enlisted the services of Sherwin Stowers in an effort to regain the 1A title it won in 2023 following a 58-year drought.

Stowers played for the All Blacks Sevens team that won gold at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

He also made 18 appearances for the Blues Super Rugby team and 78 appearances for the Counties Manukau Steelers over a nine-year professional career.

Stowers says his approach to coaching this season will be based on values of “hard work, a strong culture, and continuous growth.”

“Sacred Heart’s 1A title in 2023 was a remarkable achievement, and the next challenge for me is to build on that momentum and remain a powerhouse in schoolboy rugby”, Stowers told Te Waha Nui.

New head coach Sherwin Stowers in the First XV changing rooms. Photo: Patrick Marsters-Fonotoe.

Year 13 student and senior member of the First XV, Cruiz Simpson says Stowers has already made a difference.

“With Sherwin being appointed the head coach, he’s made sure to let us boys know that our spots are never safe in the team, and that’s helped the boys compete a lot more, which has made training more tense at times but it’s good.” 

“I’m thrilled to step into the role of director of rugby at Sacred Heart, a programme with a rich tradition”, Stowers says.

“This is a great opportunity to build on that legacy while introducing fresh ideas to help our players grow both on and off the field.”

Stowers will be supported by newly appointed assistant coaches Karl Pokino, Ben Bacon and Shaun Simpson.

Sacred Heart after their 39-29 win over archrivals St Kentigerns in the 2023 Auckland 1A Final. Photo: Zach Quin / courtesy of SHC Rugby Supporters Club

Stowers says his extensive playing experience has taught him the value of speed, fitness, and adaptability, things he plans to integrate into Sacred Heart’s playstyle.

“My focus will be on professionalism, building discipline, strong work ethic, and the skills needed for success.”

Luke Adams, Sacred Heart’s strength and conditioning coach, and part of the successful 2023 campaign said: “It’s definitely different, but sometimes, different is good.

“The new coaches bring fresh ideas and different philosophies, along with a wealth of experience as both player and coaches.

"That injected a real sense of energy into the group. They’ve shown resilience, maturity and a willingness to keep showing up for each other."

He says he is confident the current First XV’s experience, the calibre of the leaders within the squad, as well as new management, are working well to build something strong again.

Sacred Heart open their 2025 1A season against St Paul’s College on Saturday May 3 at 2.30pm.