On the last day of term 1 the Year 11 Physical Education classes ran a futsal tournament for local primary schools. Over two weeks in the planning, the ‘Battle for the Hills’ was played out at the school’s re-developed tennis courts with Wakari School being crowned inaugural winners.

Having decided to organise a futsal tournament, Otago Boys’ students took on responsibilities such as tournament director, photographer/videographer, first aid officer, court manager, results collectors and referees. With the support of Wayne Gray, from Futsal South, students were asked to think about what their jobs would entail and begin preparing themselves for possible obstacles they might encounter. Students then all completed a refereeing course to get an understanding of the game and began turning their focus to preparing and the physical organisation of running the event.

While more formal feedback will be sought this term, the responses from teachers, parents and the students themselves would suggest the boys did a fantastic job.

Thank you to Futsal South and the participating school’s students, staff and parents for their support. With five schools, namely Balaclava, George Street, Kaikorai, Maori Hill and Wakari,(and nine teams in total) it is hoped the tournament will become a regular event and perhaps draw in more participating schools.