The PNBHS 1st XI Football team is nearing the end of their 2023 season, with only the NZSS Premier Tournament remaining. The Horizons Premiership Manawatu men's league concluded with PNU claiming the title and PNBHS finishing a respectable third. PNBHS has finished in the top three in the league for the third year in a row. With changes afoot, we wait with anticipation to see what PNBHS's entry into this league will look like in 2024.

After a great interschool season, the squad will travel to Christchurch at the end of the month to compete in the NZSS National competition, hoping to build on their top-five result in 2022. Wins against Scots College and Wellington College, as well as draws against New Plymouth Boys' High School and St Patrick's Silverstream, indicate that the squad is on course to finishing well; nevertheless, tournament football can be quite a different beast.

Outside of PNBHS football, our players, both past and current, have found success. Xavier Coleman made his debut for Stop Out FC, a Central League side based in Hutt Valley. Xavier scored the second goal for Stop Out and assisted in the third. Jack-Henry Sinclar, a PNBHS Old Boy and NZ U17/U20 player, opposed Xavier. Wellington Olympic, the eventual victors of the match, took the lead early in the second half thanks to Jack-Henry's goal. With another Old Boy, Brooklyn Brown, in goal for Stop Out, it's important noting the partnership PNBHS is developing with Stop Out FC: a good Wellington club looking to cultivate a depth of ambitious players.

It is also critical to express gratitude to our Season Sponsors: Manawatu & TRC Toyota, Drake New Zealand, Youm, Watson Integrity and JG Residential. Without your continuing support, PNBHS would not be able to provide the current development program. The benefits to our athletes because of this assistance are enormous. Thank you also to the Mainland Foundation for your kind grant, which has enabled the team to travel to Christchurch at a much-reduced cost.