Last year the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) Touch tournament was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID. The 2021 Touch team was devastated by this, as we had spent virtually the whole year preparing for this one tournament. The HBHS Senior Touch team wants to leave a lasting impression in the upcoming Touch event this year as we aim to win our 9th NZSS National title.

As 2022 rolled along, in Term 1 we began preparations for the upcoming NZSS National Tournament in Rotorua. Along with our own preparations, senior players have assisted in coaching our Junior Touch teams with a goal to not only improve their skills but also Touch in our school community. 2020 was the last NZSS Tournament we played in, where we placed 11th and won the Plate Division respectively. Our Term 4 preparations began consisting of morning and after school training on Tuesday and Thursdays. The 2022 Touch squad are working hard in the hopes that we will be rewarded with an improvement from the last time we competed at the NZSS National Touch Tournament.

As Captain of Touch for 2022, I am truly grateful for the endless support Matua Graham, Mr Hotham and Mr Bayley Waudby have given the Touch programme. I also want to express my gratitude to the players who have shown persistence throughout the continuous cancellations of events they worked so hard for. As my time at HBHS comes to an end, I have my utmost confidence in the future of the Touch programme.

Caleb Wright

Captain of Touch