The Burnside Bears Ice Hockey team took out the Canterbury Secondary Schools' title for the first year in a very long time!

The Burnside Bears Ice Hockey team started off the final game of the season with two quick goals from captain, Nathan van Slooten, setting the pace to finish an amazing year winning the CMIH (Canterbury Minors Ice Hockey) Cup 6-5 against Shirley Boys/Avonside Girls Mixed team in a tense overtime win. Whilst gutted to lose key players, Jack Swift and Jacob Carey, during the final game, the team pulled together and put everything on the table with the result showing this - each and every player putting their heart into the exciting game. The team comprised of: Abbegail Anderson, Alyssa Murphy, Caleb Forsythe, Indy Williamson, Jack Swift, Jacob Carey, Jaedyn Ellenbroek, Kyle Swift, Nathan van Slooten, Quinn Mannix, Sophie Jefferies, Tom Scotter (Goalie), Reagan Gabbard (Home Schooled) and Pippa Russek (Rangi Ruru).

It was amazing to have Mr Holstein (Principal) watch this nail-biting game and see Tom Scotter show huge potential for Burnside as a Year 9, taking out the League Top Goalie. 

Another first for the Burnside team this year was competing in the South Island Secondary Schools' tournament, held in Dunedin, where we took out 6th place in B grade, with Alyssa Murphy sitting out the last game due to an unfortunate concussion. This was an awesome effort by the team, being the first time competing in this tournament and playing with both first-year and experienced players.

The team would like to thank their sponsors, which through their generosity made the cost of attending the SISS Tournament more reasonable, along with completing a sausage sizzle fundraiser. The team appreciated the support from: SuperValue, Wairakei Road Countdown, Avonhead Caltex, Withells Road Growers Direct, Yaldhurst Road The Warehouse, Riccarton Raeward Fresh Tower Junction. 

The team would also like to give a big shout-out to their coach, Rachel Gabbard-Jaspers, for her expertise and guidance given throughout the season. The team displayed a really great culture whilst playing their home games and at tournament in Dunedin, excelling the playing ability to achieve such great results. 

Nathan van Slooten

Captain