It was wonderful to celebrate the sporting achievements of our students at our Sports Awards evening last night. We are constantly amazed at the wealth of talent we have at school and it is such a privilege to share in their success all the while knowing that many of our Blues recipients will go on to compete on the international stage. We are sharing the Sports Prefects speeches with you from last night which were heartfelt and moving. We wish our leaving students all the very best and hope they continue to enjoy the sport they love.

Abby Harris

Hello everyone, it has come to that time of the night where Isy and I speak about our time here with Otago Girls' sports. For me sports has pretty much been my life for the past five years and it is fair to say it's been eventful. Looking right back from when I was a Year nine, about as tall as I am today with a high pony, I had no idea that I would have had such a great time meeting so many incredible people and experiencing the whole range of emotions that I did. I have had my fair share of tournaments, starting from Year nine being convinced to play in the senior A Basketball Team and going away to my first national tournament was absolutely nerve-racking. This was the beginning of my love for the game and sports in general. I experienced my first initiation this year as a junior. This involved cracking an egg on my head, fake tanning OGHS down the side of my legs and running around the block with undies on our heads.

Confused as to what I had got myself into I soon realised that team sports are not just about playing the game but I learnt the connections that you make off the court are just as important. Numerous times I have caught myself cry laughing with my teammates, may that be from my basketball team fully getting into the wrong van at nationals, Harriets reenactments of the musical Hamilton at 7:00am every Tuesday and Thursday morning, convincing the juniors they had lost our luggage at the airport, Miss Mackay teaching me the famous pregnant technique for a volleyball pass coincidently while we were at a basketball tournament and my all time favourite, ranking all of our accommodations as soon as we arrive.

I could go on and on but I want to talk about one of my tournaments from this year, Christchurch with the senior A sirens volleyball team. Not only did we take out the tournament with the gold but we took out the tournament with a van full of covid. I can tell you now a sweaty, smelly, covid filled 5 hour drive back to Dunedin was not how we wanted it to end but we still found it in us to sing Bruno mars from the top of our lungs for the last time.

Playing so regularly often meant that our ever-growing crowd of parents began to form their own little friend group. Meeting up at sports games became more of a social gathering for them, bringing their blankets, sharing their weekly parent gossip and constantly acting like they knew the rules to basketball. I want to thank them for all their support and entertainment over the years as it felt so nice to be the school with a crowd.

I want to also take time to thank all of my teammates, coaches and management over the past few years that have been a part of these lasting memories for me. Along with the P.E staff and teachers who came and supported our team from the sideline, it doesn't go unnoticed. To Ms Hokianga, or Hoki as I call you, thank you for being an amazing person and doing all the behind the scenes work that you do as well as also stepping in to coach a few teams here and there. You are always there to talk to or to have a laugh with, Isy and I were very fortunate to have had work alongside you this year and we will miss you and all the P.E staff when we leave next year.

I want to give a shout out to my parents in this part of my speech, to Donna and Grant. Firstly I want to say my apologies to you, I am sorry I used you both as taxis for 17 years, I am sorry that your Friday nights and Saturday mornings were spent in the freezing cold Edgar Centre, I am sorry dad that your money for a jet ski has been spent on all my tournaments and mum your travel money too. But all jokes aside, your time and effort has meant a lot to me. You are always supporting me no matter what and giving your words of wisdom, like “don’t worry about things you can’t control”, and “deep breaths”. I can’t thank you enough for everything that you do. I appreciate it so much.

Lastly I want to thank my fellow sports prefect Isy parry. Even though we play opposite sports and are vividly opposite in height we work so well together and it has been amazing to work alongside you. It has been great having someone so smart and funny to be around as well as someone who can pull off a road cone costume with class. Isy and I only just recently worked out that we have known each other since year 6 which is 7 years going strong and I am sorry Isy but you're not going to get rid of me that easy as we will be living together next year in the same hall. Thank you again for making this year so fun and easy. I will miss adjusting the microphone to fit my height, our last minute stress before assembly and our fun chats on the cricket field while waiting to bat. Thank you again to everyone. It has been a blast and I would like you all to remember, to have a fabulous rest of your night and week and I will see you all court side.

Isy Parry

Kia Ora Koutou. Firstly I would just like to thank Atawhai for speaking. It's always inspiring to hear about an Otago woman performing on the world stage. I also want to congratulate all of you athletes for being here. I hope you are proud of yourselves and the effort you put in to be the successful people you are, you certainly should be.

I have been at Otago Girls' High for almost five years now, that's the same time as about 43,000 netball games or 29,000 football games or two cricket matches. In my time here, I’ve made lots of memories but my favourites have been through sport. Cliche as it is, I can say with certainty that OGHS sport has changed my life.

In Year 9, I went to football nationals in Taupo, I have no idea where we placed or how many goals we scored but I do remember eating pickles with chocolate during initiation and watching an R16 TV show with the older girls on the team. I remember when we got our bright orange away kit and looked like prisoners and when we ate donuts as a team instead of training in torrential rain.

I remember all the days I got time off school to play cricket in the sun. Having water fights in the innings break, facing white ferns in the Hildas team as a 13 year old, celebrating wickets like we’d won the world cup and winning the bates cup last weekend with the best group of girls.

But what I’ll remember the most is the community that surrounds sport here at OGHS. I love that everyone here is encouraged to participate in a sport and that we have such a large range to pick from. A couple years ago a group of girls decided to start a curling team called the curly fries and they went on to win nationals. OGHS also has one of the highest sports participation rates in the country and I think that says a lot about our school. I have made so many friends in different year levels and have felt an overwhelming sense of belonging which I’m sure most of you have too.

Juniors, savor the memories you make. I took my junior years for granted and sometimes even wished they would be over when in reality I was already having so much fun. I know you will all experience the joy I did at OGHS sports and I hope you don’t forget to appreciate it.

Seniors, I know these years are stressful but don’t forget why you play sports: to have fun. Get to know your teammates, laugh at trainings and enjoy your games. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. To quote Ms Nielsen: “choose joy my friends”

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has helped me and OGHS sport, there are so many of you and I feel so lucky.

Mrs Hickley, Mr Trickey, Mrs Millar, Miss Ward, and Mrs Clements to name a few.

To Mrs Mitchell who had the faith in bringing a tiny year 9 to nationals. And Mr Richards too you have both made school football unforgettable.

To my parents who have sacrificed so much for me and my sport. Who drive me to every single practice and game. Who push me to always be better.

To Mrs Flanagan who loves OGHS cricket so enthusiastically. Who braves the cold Kensington Oval every Wednesday to score our games. Who got us fancy new uniform. You make me and the team feel like we are Suzie Bates and I can’t thank you enough for the past 5 years.

To Ms Hokianga, who has made my life so easy this year. Who has put up with my last-minute emails about assembly. I don’t think people understand just how much you do for the school, Abby and I are so thankful.

My biggest thanks go to Abby: who made this role look easy; capable, respectful and loved by everyone – she would have done amazing with or without me. However, I couldn’t have done this without her. Many of you know her as an outstanding sportswoman and student but she is an even greater person and a friend who has changed my oghs experience.

Finally, I want to thank all the coaches, teammates, managers and staff who have been apart of my years here. I am just so thankful for everything you have all done for me.

I actually can't believe that this is the last time I will speak as the Sports Prefect of this school, that I have played my last game of Football for OGHS and that cricket is almost finished as well. I am sad to be leaving but I’m so grateful to know that when I look back at my time here it will be with the fondest of memories. Up the nautilus!