Always put in the hard work no matter what, and to never give up.

Article By: Caleb Wichman

Unfortunately due me breaking my foot the weekend before sports camp this year, my highlights will be based on Sports Camp 2019 as a Year 7. The number one thing that stood out for me, was the amazing meals we got to eat everyday. It definitely fuelled up the energy levels for all the sports we played. Spending the week hanging with all your mates & building new friendships everyday is also another highlight that stood out for me in 2019.

The Training Session for Yr7 was definitely harder than Yr8, from my personal opinion. It was based over a longer period of time, therefore the early 4 days a week, 7am training sessions definitely started taking a toll on you as you approached closer towards sports camp. Not only did you have to commit to your early morning sessions, but making sure you were up to date with your school work, and all your club training commitments. Whereas this year, due Covid-19 I feel the training sessions weren't tiring because of the shorter preparation time frame for sports camp. The most frustrating thing is when people muck around during training, which leads to the whole team being punished and having to do extra fitness.

The biggest sports learning curve for myself as a sportsman, is having to learn the rules of rugby, as I come from a league background. I found Yr7 very frustrating with the rugby training sessions, as my knowledge of rugby was very limited. As the weeks progressed, and my knowledge of the sport grew, so did my confidence as a rugby player.

So make sure you attend all your training sessions, especially if you're not confident in a particular sport. Rugby as a Yr8 this year was definitely more enjoyable, as the knowledge of the game was there and it became more about combining my love of tackling, setting up plays, and driving the boys to always going hard on the field. Due to my own personal experience as a Yr7 last year learning how to play rugby, it was easy to encourage the Yr7 boys this year who didn't know how to play rugby, or couldn't get the game plays off the bat.

Due to me breaking my foot this year, my goals are to come back stronger and fitter. So endurance, and strength training is what I am focusing on at the moment.

For all the Yr7 students wanting to trial for sports camp in 2021. My advice for you is to always put in the hard work no matter what, and to never give up. That's the difference between going down and winning, because you've prepared as a team...and losing. Always remember once you put on that sports camp uniform, you do not only represent yourself, but your team, and the school. So wear it with Pride. Make sure you attend all your training sessions even if you are injured from your weekend sports, show up anyways to support your team.

Article By: Hunter Taua

To the Year 7’s to come and next year's Year 8’s..

Sports Camp was a really intense week. It was filled with A LOT (like A LOT) of mixed emotions (Gladiators basketball team) Overall the week was really fun. My favourite moment has to be when they announced us as winners for Sports camp, a feeling that most of us will never forget. An intense moment I experienced was the volleyball final against Mt Maunganui, if any of you guys end up in a high pressure situation like that the best thing to do is calm down, listen to your coach and play your game. 

The journey leading up to Sports camp is not easy. There's A LOT of early morning trainings and nonstop fitness but all I can say is push through and try your hardest, never give up no matter how hard it gets. When you guys trial for sport try your best, play as hard as you can but also demonstrate a good attitude because attitude plays a big part in making all those top teams. Next Years Year 8’s you guys already know what’s expected of you guys so make sure you guys push those Year 7’s to come.

But most of all HAVE FUN and enjoy every little moment of all the early morning trainings and fitness session