This year the 1st XI Boys hockey team travelled to Greymouth for the Coaches Cup. Edward Heenan, in his 5th and final tournament for Roncalli, captained the side with composure and class ensuring a team made up of all year groups gelled perfectly both on and off the field.

Visiting Greymouth on a sporting trip is always an exciting prospect, having to pack all your tricks to meet the needs of the wild and unpredictable weather. Roncalli shook off the cobwebs against South Otago High School with a 1 all draw, then blew through Mackenzie College 3-0  showing that development plans and having two hockey teams has led to an increase in talent from competition for places, with everyone getting a run.

Our final game in pool play saw us needing to beat a confident, and as yet, unbeaten Papanui side, to ensure we topped our pool. Despite Papanui scoring first Roncalli fought hard and won the game 2-1, with a goal in the final minutes. On a roll now and brimming with confidence, in the quarter finals they backed up, skillfully beating Geraldine High School 6-2. Huge excitement followed as we were assured of a top four placing for the first time in 4 years!

The jump to the semi-final was reminiscent of Neil Armstrong on the moon with eventual winners, Tawa College showing superior speed and skill to teach Roncalli a lesson in hockey 0-8. Unfortunately a tired looking Roncalli arrived at the subsequent third and fourth playoff game in the final afternoon, against a very clinical Katikati College who put the game away quickly in the first half to finish 0-6. 

Despite this all the boys displayed excellent determination and sportsmanship throughout these losses, with each and every player stepping up and lifting their games to pleasingly take 4th place overall in the tournament.

Campbell Henderson was also playing his last tournament for the school and defended strongly in the goal all week. Thomas Flynn was outstanding in the midfield and was named Roncalli’s Tournament MVP.

With 3/4 of the team returning next year and South Canterbury representatives from the U15 (Year 10s ,Harper McKerrow and Conor Boult) and U18 (Year 11s, Ben Kerr and Thomas Flynn) teams growing in maturity, there is a solid base of players coming through to challenge again next season.