The young OHS player contributed to a strong 4–0 opening win for the Cook Islands in the OFC U16 Championship qualifiers.

Onehunga High School footballer Tere Te Tini flew to the Cook Islands last week to play for the Cook Islands U16 Men’s team in a Championship Qualifier against American Samoa.

Tere is one of two New Zealanders in the team competing in the Road to Oceania Football Confederation OFC U16 Men’s Championship Qualifiers 2026. The match, played in Tonga on Tuesday, saw the Cook Islands secure a convincing 4–0 victory over American Samoa.

Tere Te Tini was part of a strong opening performance as the Cook Islands returned to the qualifying stage for the first time since 2018. The team took control early and maintained their dominance throughout the match to secure a confident win.

The result provides a positive start to the Cook Islands campaign as they prepare to face Tonga and Vanuatu in their upcoming matches. Tere’s involvement is a proud achievement for both himself and the Onehunga High School community, as he gains valuable experience competing at international level.