After almost 2 whole years of fundraising, the boys’ 1st XI Hockey team went on their first official tournament.

 Held in Clareville, Masterton, the team played their first game upon arrival, and after what many considered to be the finest game of hockey the team played, the game finished with a 3-2 loss to Katikati. We later became good friends with Katikati, supporting them until the end of the tournament. The games in the following days would constantly pit the team against many difficult and tricky opponents, and improvements were seen every day.

All the players put in their best effort and understood what they needed to do; the team was kept excellently fed with home cooked meals and snacks provided by the players' families and our morale and physical well-being was kept afloat by our wonderful volunteers and supporters. Amongst the supporters was Ex-Raphael House teacher, Ken Issac. His Raph House hockey team won this tournament back in 2005.

A huge thank you to Irene, Merlin, and Maxine for their tireless support from the sideline and an even bigger thanks to our coach, John Adair, who without his passion and encouragement, the team wouldn't have come as far as they had.

Unfortunately, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and the team says goodbye to two of our dearest players, who for various reasons, are unable to play next year, a big thank you and good luck to Ruifu Zhou and Billy Lummis for their contribution to the team.

Despite finishing 6th overall, the team came away with a bucket of KFC and an air of confidence. Many of the players are already thinking of next year’s tournament and how to do even better. After the team recoups and heals up, we plan to begin fundraising in full force for next year’s tournament.

Overall, this was an amazing experience that everyone benefited, and learned from and we hope to return next year to do it again.

Nga mihi, the Raphael House  Boys 1st XI Hockey team

By Max Letifov (C10)