Hero photograph
 
Photo by Dan Koni

Touch - Week 7 (Term 1) update

Dan Koni —

King’s boys take out MVP awards at the online Otago Touch Ceremonies.

Due to the current Red-Light restrictions, this year's Otago Touch Award ceremonies were conducted and presented online.

The four age grade categories were U12, U14, U16 and U18 for both boys and girls. Based on Tournament performances from the players seasons in December 2021, the coaches selections were made. Current King’s 1st Touch members, Dylan Pledger, Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu and Kairangi Koni received the high honours taking out the Most Valuable Player awards in their various age grades, for Otago. Here’s what was said about them from their coaching staff.

  • U18 MVP - Dylan Pledger – "We know Dylan is a safe player, dynamic in all facets of his game. He is humble, unassuming, deceptive and cares nothing more than to do his best for his teammates".

King’s Otago U18 players – Orlando Tuhega-Vaitupu, Samuel Nemec-Vial, Oscar Cameron.

  • U16 MVP - Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu “A true leader in the sense. With not many words but leading by action. He was a dominant figure on the field. During the final, he took over the roll in the end and demanded the ball. Lead the team in creating the winning try in the final. A young leader with a bright future in the game. Our most valuable player”.

King’s Otago U16 players – Jack Soal, Henry Smale, Isaac Kramers, Joel Cook.


Image by: Dan Koni
  • U14 MVP - Kairangi Koni “Kai was picked for being our Game driver who asserted himself and kept a cool head. His communications to his team-mates meant we could change tactics at any point in time. Due to Kairangi's understanding and tactical awareness, he connected the sub-box to on-field execution. This allowed our team to play a dynamic, quick and a less predictable game pattern”.

King’s Otago U14 players – Albert Reed, Jaxon Moeahu, Lafa Tofiga, Kairyn Tatana, Bodhi Clarkson

Image by: Dan Koni


Bishopcourt Open Men's (Thu 17th March)

Division 1: Kings 1st Touch Team defeated Strawberry Jammers, 5-4

Touchdowns: J.Harvey (3), J.Hill, O.Tuhega-Vaitupu

Congratulations to the above King’s 1st Touch team for their win on Thursday for the 3rd Place Final in the Bishopcourt Men's competition. Unfortunately, due to their absences during the summer school holidays, they were unable to progress to the Grand Final play-offs. However, with 10 players from the current squad out of action, the team called in 2 players from the wider squad so that they could field a team. The game resulted in various ‘tit for tat’ show of tries, with the fate of the game being sealed by Co-Captain and Head Boy, Orlando Tuhega-Vaitupu, who intercepted a ball through the middle of the field to ensure the win.


Metro Secondary Schools Touch (Tue 15th March)

All games were cancelled due to various schools having to default.


Important Touch Events

  • Otago Secondary Schools Touch Tournament – 27th March (Kensington Oval)
  • NZSS Touch National Champs – 9th–11th December (Rotorua Stadium, Rotorua)