Sport

Director of Sport

Paul Braddock

How lucky were we that we were able to finish off all winter sport games and programs. It was looking a little unlikely towards the end of term two.

All winter sporting codes started their season around the end of July, with most getting a ten week competition. All went well for the first six weeks and then round two of Covid came back to haunt us. The return of the Covid strain had meant that games could take place but with no spectators. This was easier said than done and the later we got into the term the harder it got to comply with the Government’s wishes.

Our basketball teams had to be dropped off and only the coach, manager and team were allowed into the venue and only after the prior games had finished.

Our Netball teams played on a Friday and Saturday with all parents and support excluded from inside the netball courts. Which meant all supporters were made to stay on the outside of the fenced off courts.

Hockey was the same, with supporters made to stay on the outside of the fence surrounding the hockey turf.

Rugby and football teams had it a little easier with supporters asked to either sign in or use the NZ Government’s QR scan and were made aware of contact distancing.

This also brought out the best and worst in people with a few not so kind words spoken on occasions. The frustration of wanting to support all players and not being able too, took its toll on a small few.

In the end our students got to play the sport they love and finished with some great results. The Prem 1 netball team won their division with a 20 point winning margin in their final game. Rugby has made great strides this year and got pipped by a single point in their semi final. Our football girls have again shown great form being unbeaten this year with some great results. Both our Senior Hockey Boys and Girls teams have had a wonderful season with the girls team drawing in the final, yet losing on a shoot out.

We have had our teachers involved in our winter rugby, netball, basketball and football teams this year, as well as our support staff being involved in rugby, hockey and basketball. Thank you to all that have coached and supported our teams.

The unfortunate cancellation of most winter sport teams’ for winter tournament due to Covid saw a few regions scramble to put on something for our athletes over the normal tournament week. Hockey was the most fortunate one with a weeklong tournament hosted for them in the Hawkes Bay. Our Senior Girls were confident going into the tournament. Yet still needed to play some constructive and polished hockey if they were to make it into the finals.

competitive three day tournament in Rotorua, where they played in some tough games. Battered and bruised our talented team can hold their heads up high and what they learnt from their tournament helped them win their division in the Harbourside Netballs Weekly League.

After an uncertain time when there was a football tournament then there wasn’t. Our Boys and Girls 1st XI teams managed to get a one day tournament in. Both teams played three games in one day, with our girls undefeated and the boys losing only one of their matches. Congratulations to our hockey and football girls winning their respective tournaments.

With the end of the school year approaching it was time to set up our Sports Awards. Lots of consultation went into deciding what this would look like in 2020. Lots of term 1 & 2 BOP sports did not go ahead, There were no Representative or NZ teams announced which made it a little tougher for our coaches to pick their codes cup and trophy winners.

Paul Braddock

The decision to invite only Year 12 and 13 students to apply for our top awards and to send in their sporting CV which contained all that they had done whilst in their senior years (11,12 &13) allowed more athletes to be recognised by the selection committee.

The selection of our top Sports Boy and Girl was a tough decision with lots of debate over multiple athletes. Congratulations to Lilly Muspratt, Rose Akkerman and Zac Reeder who are our single sport top recipients and to Olivia Cummings and Ashton Gordan our top Sports Girl and Boy. Well done to all who received an award at our school’s Sports awards night.

To finish the year we have a girls team entered into the BOP Rugby 7’s, Junior Volleyball teams entered in the BOP Junior Volleyball Champs and North Island Champs, BOP Junior Tennis, North Island Junior Badminton and the final event for the year the NZ Secondary Schools Athletic champs.