Many students received their Sporting Caps in May. Congratulations to the following students.

Rowing Caps

Jayden King

Jayden started as a novice in 2021 in a season highly disrupted by COVID. This did not deter him and he showed outstanding progress, qualifying for the Maadi Cup in the following two seasons. He narrowly missed the podium in the U18 quad sculls at North Islands finishing 4th. Jayden has played an exceptional part of the rowing community as one of our rowing captains in the 2023 - 2024 season.

Liam Fairweather

Like Jayden, Liam started rowing in 2021. Since then his improvements have been exponential, culminating in an outstanding U18 season, a highlight of which was a bronze medal in the U18 double sculls at the North Island Championships.

Sophie Dunn

Sophie started rowing at St Paul's in Y11. Over the previous three seasons, she has gone from strength to strength, with consecutive Maadi medals, North Island U18 representation and outstanding leadership as one of this year's rowing captains.

Austen Plimmer

Austen has represented St Paul's at four consecutive Maadi Cups. He has consistently stood on the podium at the North Island Championships and, in his final season, gained bronze medals in both the U18 single and U18 double sculls. He has managed his training commitments alongside his role as a rowing captain.

Austen Plimmer, Sophie Dunn, Liam Fairweather and Jayden King — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

Rugby Caps

Liam Inman

Liam made his debut in the 2022 pre-season at Gisborne Boys' High School. Injuries have halted his progress; however, he never gave up the dream to get here and is now showing his game awareness and skill by leading the team around the field in a calm and controlled manner.

A key leader in attack, Liam is becoming a real threat to opposition defences, making him a key player in our group.

Salesi Tauaika

Salesi made his debut in the 2022 pre-season against Palmerston North Boys' High School. Four appearances in 2022, eleven in 2023 and finally here in 2024 Salesi has been a key weapon within our backline. An increase in his skill set has created a triple threat to the opposition every time he gets the ball, he can either run, pass or kick.

A solid and reliable defender, Salesi's injuries have reduced his game time, but we look forward to having him back, fully fit and creating havoc in opposition defences.

Toby Shale

Toby made his debut in the 2023 pre-season against Palmerston North Boys' High School, clocking up 14 caps in his first season. Niggling injuries hindered Toby's progress last season; however, 2024 has brought more confident play using his speed, footwork and agility to create plenty of scoring opportunities on the wing. Currently, Toby is our top try scorer, and we look forward to seeing Toby beat defenders while creating and finishing opportunities.

Nate Bodle

Nate Bodle made his debut in the 2023 pre-season impressive win against Palmerston North Boys' High School. He is a gentle giant who is realising that hard work, fitness and mastering his positional skill as a prop can lead to durability and confidence in playing every game of the 2023 season. Nate is a part of the 2024 leadership group and continues to drive standards with scrum and collision. He is reliable, dependable and skilled for a big man who could have a big future if he continues his development.

Max Makeham

Max made his debut as a replacement in the 2023 pre-season game against Palmerston North Boys' High School, being thrown in the deep end, and then he played every game in the 2023 season. Typical traits of speed, breakdown, quality passes and fighting above stature were key to his consistency in starting all games. Max has grown his game and confidence with his kicking and running; he will be key to our positive style of play. Max will never take a step back, and with his competitive nature, we will see him cause havoc with defences this season.

Max Makeham and Nate Bodle — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

James Cunningham

James made his debut in the 2023 pre-season impressive win against Palmerston North Boys' High School. New to school from the mighty north, he has impressed with his work ethic and attention to detail not only in his own game but in the opposition's strengths and opportunities.

Playing all but two games in the 2023 season showed his durability in a hit-impact position as a blindside flanker. The year 2024 has brought a different role, lineout leader along with the ability to empty the tank in every match and training, James is a key of the 2024 First XV Rugby team.

James Cunningham — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

Nate Bodle — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

Hockey Cap

Izzie Watson

Izzie Watson arrived at St Paul's in 2022 with a relatively small amount of hockey experience. It is a huge testament to her attitude and dedication that she has become such an important part of St Paul's First XI Girls' Hockey team's success in recent seasons. Izzie is a quick and dynamic striker who always works herself into the ground.

She is brave and not afraid to put her body on the line. Izzie is also very cool under pressure; on three separate occasions over the past two seasons, she has taken and scored a must-get for the sudden death penalty. Her selection in the Waikato U18 team this year speaks volumes about how far she has developed as a player in such a short time. A thoroughly deserved cap for an outstanding team player.

Izzie Watson — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

Netball Caps

Brianna Griffiths

Brianna Griffiths has been a member of the Premier Netball team for two full seasons and again in 2024. In that time, Brianna has developed into a strong shooter and she is now the most senior shooter in the team. In the circle, Brianna has worked on her composure under pressure, utilising her height to her advantage and positioning herself for the mid-court players to feed her the ball. Brianna is always positive and motivates others. She made the ‘Magic in the Making’ development squad in Year 11 and again in Year 12.

Jessie Morris

This season is Jessie Morris’s third year as a member of the Premier Netball Team. Jessie is aptly described as a rocket on the court using her reach to her advantage. Jessie’s strength lies in taking space from her partner and intercepting passes. Jessie has the ability to push through in a game and adapt to different positional play. A strong mid-court player, Jessie is always positive and a great motivator for others. Jessie has been involved in the Eastern Waikato Under 18 and Hamilton City Under 16B teams. She was selected for the ‘Magic in the Making’ netball camp in 2023.

Sophie Dunn

Sophie Dunn has been a member of the St Paul’s Collegiate Premier Netball team since she joined St Paul’s in 2022. A versatile player, Sophie can play in both the attack and defence ends of the court. Sophie demonstrates an outstanding level of fitness and ability. Her versatility and obvious leadership qualities have led to Sophie becoming captain of the Premier Netball team in 2024. Sophie supports and mentors younger netball players and is a valued member of our school netball community. Sophie was selected for the Under 16A Hamilton City representative team in both 2022 and 2023, and this year, she has been selected to play for the Under 18A Hamilton City representative team. In 2022 and 2023 Sophie was also selected for the Netball New Zealand National Development Camp through the “Magic in the Making” selection programme. Sophie has been an integral part of the St Paul’s Collegiate Premier Netball team for the past three years.

Sophie Dunn, Jessie Morris and Brianna Griffiths — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

Sophie Dunn: Receiving two sports caps on one day: rowing and netball — Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

The Month That Was - May 2024

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