Watch: Scotty Stevenson apologises to Christ's College over 'syrup suckers' remark

Friday, 5 December 2025

Scotty Stevenson has issued a public apology to Christchurch's Christ’s College after describing a group of its students as “syrup suckers”.

The remark was made on Tuesday during live cricket commentary of the Black Caps' first test against the West Indies as a drone camera showed students near Hagley Oval during

Stevenson addressed the controversy ahead of day four of the test match on Friday, acknowledging the comment caused offence.

“In my defence, I didn’t have the most up-to-date knowledge of where that term had come from and its origin story,” he said.

“Over the last couple of days I’ve been given an education – no pun intended – on that phrase and what it means to the school. To them, I apologise unequivocally. I take it on myself. It’s mine and mine alone as a mistake.”

Cricket commentator Scotty Stevenson prompted an awkward on air moment after referring to Christs College as the syrup suckers during cricket coverage. Mark Richardson asked him to explain leading Stevenson to clarify it was an old term not his own.

The headmaster of Christ’s College has reportedly written to parents and is pursuing a formal complaint with TVNZ. Stevenson confirmed the broadcaster will cooperate with any official process.

“As a father of two teenage boys, I like to instil values in them as well. One of those values is when you make a mistake, stand up and own it. And that’s what I do today,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming his respect for the school community and returning focus to the test match, describing cricket as “another lesson for us all – respect, values, care, consideration.”

TVNZ has not yet commented on any internal disciplinary action but is expected to meet with Stevenson.

The TVNZ sports commentator says comment made during live cricket broadcast was a mistake and has apologised 'unequivocally'.

The broadcaster said on Thursday that Stevenson missed the mark with a 'sexualised slur' about Christchurch school boys.

'It is a sexualised slur directed towards minors, and such language has no place in any public forum, least of all a national broadcast,“ headmaster Joe Eccleton said.

The comment came during The Blacks Caps cricket test against the West Indies.

'A bit of catching practice for the syrup suckers, the Christ's College boys,' Stevenson said.

In response, commentator Mark Richardson asked him to explain.

'I didn't come up with a term. It's just what others call them,“ Stevenson said.

'It's howls of disapproval from the public school kids in the back of the commentary box. That's why you end up working for them.'