EDUCATION: Westlake Boys
Hamish McKay interviews Westlaker Rio Olympians James Coughlan, Michael Brake and Gary Francis
Staff Award Winners Hamish McKerrow, Heath Nola, Karl Jorgensen and Jawal Nalloul.
Sports Awards Dinner 2016 On Friday 4 November, Westlake Boys students, parents, staff, coaches, managers and corporate supporters celebrated the school’s individual and team sporting achievements at the annual Sports Awards Dinner. Special guests for the evening were a panel of three Westlakers, Michael Brake (Rowing), James Coughlan (Hockey) and Gary Francis (Paralympic Swimming Coach), all of whom were involved with the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio this year. Panelists were interviewed by Sports Broadcaster, Hamish McKay, and gave a fascinating insight into life in the Olympic village, a typical day in their training programmes, what motivates them and how they overcome setbacks. Sports Colours were awarded to 52 students across 20 sports for exceptional service to their sport over a number of years or their sporting achievement during 2016. In addition to the many students who received sporting colours and individual awards, a number of staff and volunteer parent coaches were presented with awards in recognition of their selfless contribution to the school’s sports programmes. Team of the Year was awarded to the Premier Squash Team, who were simply unstoppable and won six trophies, barely losing a single set. Their captain, Rafa Yam, who has led the team to win every single trophy possible for two consecutive years, won the Alf Butt Trophy for True Sportsmanship. He won every game he played this year and also represented both New Zealand and the Philippines. Winner of the Colin Pascoe Cup for outstanding attitude and sportsmanship was captain of the National-winning Volleyball team and member of the Premier Basketball team, a New Zealand Representative and Westlake’s 2016 Sports Captain, Greg Vukets. Zae Wallace, 2016 Captain of the Rugby League Team for three years, won the Simon Bryan Award for Outstanding Achievement. He was voted halfback of the year for the second year in a row for the College Rugby League team of the year and also received MVP of the Tournament. The final award of the night was the Arblaster Family Cup for Sportsman of the Year. There were nine students nominated, all of whom have had an exceptionally successful 2016 • Oscar Guo – one of the top Badminton players in New Zealand • Rafa Yam – premier squash player, New Zealand and Philippines representative • Zae Wallace – significant achievements in Rugby League • Fine Inisi – exceptionally talented Rugby Union and Rugby League player • Greg Vukets – Sports Captain, Volleyball Captain, Premier Basketball player and NZ Beach Volleyball representative • Daniel Hoy – world class triathlete, NZ Cross Country and Road
122
2016 Sportsman of the Year, Dan Hoy with his proud mum Jane Hoy.
Running Champion • Victor Ma – Table Tennis Captain and NZSS Singles Champion, NZ World Junior representative • Jason Churches – exceptional swimmer, NZ representative • Finn Kennard-Campbell – another outstanding swimmer holding several NZ age records The 2016 Westlake Sportsman of the Year was Dan Hoy. Dan is the first Westlake student to win the Sportsman of the Year Award twice, having previously being awarded the accolade in 2014 for his silver medal in the triathlon at the 2014 Youth Olympics. 2016 proved to be one of the most impressive years to date of his rapidly flourishing Triathlon career. Dan is the NZSS National Champion, winning the race by a record margin, and now regularly competes against the best triathletes in the world amassing six top ten finishes at world events this year. His best result was a win in the Senior Men's Asian Cup in Korea in October. Dan has also had a stellar year with Distance Running - he is the North Harbour, Auckland and New Zealand Cross Country Champion, as well as a National Champion in Road Running. Well done Dan – Westlake is very proud of your commitment, work ethic and well-deserved accomplishments!
Issue 72 - December 2016 January 2017 www.channelmag.co.nz