Hockey, Volleyball, Surfing, Rowing.

Hockey

It was a busy morning at Shirley Boys on Saturday 17th March with approximately 80 boys and staff gathering at school. The rowers leaving for Maadi Cup in Twizel and the Hockey Boys travelling to Timaru to play Timaru BHS in their annual preseason exchange. Seven players would be playing their debut game against Timaru BHS, at 4pm that afternoon. The trip allows us to incorporate new players into the team environment and to allow players to realise the high standard of hockey required when playing against 1st XI teams.

Thanks to Mr Jackman for allowing the boys to pitch their tents on the lawn of his rustic fishing hut in Pleasant Point. After tents were pitched, it was then off to Timaru to play our first game of the season. The result  was a 2-2 draw. Goals to Matheson Graham and Hamish Church. A pleasing result for our first game of the season.

The second game of the weekend was played on Sunday morning. The result was a 6-0 win to Timaru BHS. Playing these two games has given the players an idea of the level of play required, when playing against top teams.

This is the fifth year we have played Timaru BHS as part of our pre-season warm-up and is becoming an important fixture for both schools.

Both teams will play again when they compete at the South Island ANZAC Hockey Tournament being played in Timaru, 23-25 April. Please see the draw for this tournament attached.

Volleyball

In the recent Nationals for Volleyball, SBHS came 8th in NZ out of 73 teams!

Boys had to battle sickness and grind out some games with sub-par health! Thanks to Dr Yuki & Nurse Jaz for the care and support!

Another group of  Year 13s out.

Thanks for your leadership and sharing of knowledge especially this season.

Surfing

Shirley Boys High School won the Wednesday Surf League this month at New Brighton.

Shirley regained the title after conceding it to St Bede's in Term 4 2017.Shirley won the title in Term 1 last year.

Josh McCaffery (Shirley) won the U16 Boys, Dara O'Malley (Shirley) won the U14 Boys.

The top schools trophy was dominated by Shirley Boys High with 101 points. Christchurch Boys High was second with 49 points and St Andrews College third with 24 points.

Rowing

A squad of 32 rowers competed  in the NZ Secondary Schools Championships, commonly known as Maadi.

Competing in heats, repecharges, quarter and semi finals over six days, several crews qualified for the top eight A finals raced on the Friday and Saturday.

Results included:

• Under 18 Novice Eight – 9th  in New Zealand
  
• Under 17 Quad Scull – 13th  in New Zealand
  
• Under 17 single scull- 7th in New Zealand
  
• Under 16 eight - 8th in New Zealand
  
• Under 16 single scull -  12th and 4th in New Zealand (2 boats)
  
• Under 16 quad scull - 3rd in New Zealand
  
• Under 15 eight - 2nd in New Zealand
  
• Under 15 Quad Scull – 11th in New Zealand
  
• Under 15 Four – 9th in New Zealand
  

To come away with 2 national medals is an outstanding achievement.  Credit to all rowing squad members, coaches and supporters.

With the younger age groups performing at the highest level, the future looks bright for SBHS rowing.