2019 Girls first XI hockey team by Andrew Constable

Capping off the sporting year

The following students have been awarded their caps in their respective sports, having reached the required criteria.

Hockey

Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

Toby Grindlay has played a vital role in the 1st XI team since he was in Year 11, having played 50 caps for the team. He has amazing ball skills and a huge work ethic, playing all 36 games this past season. Toby played in the mid-field but was all over the field attacking and defending where needed. He never fails to launch an attack if the opportunity arises. In the mid-field, he creates good pressure which ensures that there is a contribution to scoring goals. He is a great team member, who is committed and works hard.

Jai Fitzwalter has been a member of the 1st XI since Year 11 and has played 57 caps for the team. He has the privilege of being the third most capped member of the 1st XI team, having played all games so far this season. Jai has played well over the course of the two seasons and has been dominant as a defender in the back line. His skill of getting on to the ball fast, creates good pressure on the opposition’s strikers ensuring that they are shut down as quickly as possible. Jai has good positioning, a great sense of anticipation and has demonstrated good leadership in the past two years. He is a dependable member and a real asset to the team. Jai has also been selected to represent Waikato Hockey. He is currently a member of the Waikato Under-18 team, and has been a member of the Under-13’s and Under-15’s.

Hector Munro has also been a member of the 1st XI since Year 11 and has played 54 caps for the team. He helped to organise the defence from week to week and plays with great courage by attacking the ball and denying it to the opposition, all while working with his teammates, to secure a solid backline. Hector has supported other members of the team in the defensive tasks and ensures that they worked well together. He is a dependable defender and is able to calmly attack the ball even under great pressure. Hector is vocal on the field, rallying the team when the score line is not going St Paul's Collegiate School’s way and encourages the boys to work hard. He is a dependable member and a real asset to the team. Hector has also been selected to represent Waikato Hockey, where he was a member of the Under 13’s, Under 15’s, and Under 18 teams.

A highly skilful and talented hockey player, Darcy Hunter has played 50 games for the girls’ 1st XI hockey team over the last two years. This year, as captain of the team, Darcy has demonstrated her leadership skills and commitment to St Paul’s girls' hockey. Playing in the midfield, Darcy has outstanding ability to tackle the opposition, distribute the ball wisely or run with strength on the ball, when the opportunity presents itself. She is a real team player, never giving up, always running back, always supporting her teammates and being an excellent role model for younger players. She has scored some outstanding field goals for the team this year, further demonstrating her all-round talent as a hockey player. Darcy gained representative honours playing for Midlands U18 this year and led the St Paul’s girls to their history-making silver medal at the recent Chica Gilmer Hockey tournament, securing the team a place in the top tournament for 2020.

Cate Wilson has played 50 games for the Girls’ 1st XI hockey team over the last two years. Cate is a very composed player who has an amazing ability to read the game, be in the right place at the right time and make excellent decisions regarding her next move. This year, Cate was required to step into the centre back defence position where she has made a massive difference to the outcome of key games. While not often being on the goal-scoring sheet, Cate has led the defence in such a way that she has equally contributed to securing wins for the team. At the recent Chica Gilmer Hockey tournament, Cate’s absolute determination, commitment and leadership on and off the field gained her the most valuable player of the tournament award. An outstanding role model for younger players.

Ayla Hall has played 51 games for the Girls' 1st XI Hockey team. Ayla is a passionate, committed hockey player who is never satisfied with second best. Playing in the midfield, Ayla impacts on the game with threatening dribbles towards the opposition goal. She also looks to find short passes to link with her fellow midfielders, allowing them to collectively go forward. Ayla’s ability to score from the top of the circle during penalty corners has put her on the scoreboard on many occasions when the team needed it the most. With her ongoing presence in the attacking third of the field, Ayla was one of the creating players at the recent Chica Gilmer Hockey tournament.

Kate Healy has played 50 games for the Girls’ 1st XI Hockey team. She is a feisty, determined, player who has covered a number of positions over her time in the team. Currently playing defence, Kate has a real ability to sneak the ball off the opposition and use her unique skills to send it well up the field to the midfield and forwards. With her excellent work ethic and total commitment to the team, Kate is a fine role model for younger players. She is a worthy recipient of her hockey cap. 


Netball

Abby Payne has been in the Open A team for two years and has played 60 games. Throughout these years, she has shown grit and a strong work ethic to learn and develop, to better her game. Her determination to improve has paid dividends this year, as she co-captains the Open A team and has resulted in her selection in the Eastern Waikato Under 19 netball team. Abby is a pivotal member in the mid-court where her skills and abilities are an asset to the team.

Lily Carr Paterson joined the Open A team three years ago and has played 82 games. Throughout this time, she has developed her skillset. Lily has been able to take the experience gained and put these out on court in 2019, where she also co-captains the team. Lily has been an age-group representative player, and brings great vision and clever ball skills on attack, and is also a hard-worker on defence. Lily is a great asset to the team.

Abby Bartels has been in the Open A team for three years and has played 75 games. Throughout these years, she has grown and developed her game as a shooter, having previously played defence. Abby is a quiet achiever, who builds her game on confidence. 2019 has been a strong year for Abby, where her skills developed over the years are really starting to shine through. Abby’s shooting accuracy and her strong presence in the circle are a great asset to the team.


Football

Image by: St Paul's Collegiate School

In his second season as a member of the 1st XI Football squad, Callum Donlon has been an essential figure within the team. He is a clear leader amongst the group. Tenacious and dogmatic, the consistency he brings is vital. In league, tournament and cup competitions, Callum has represented the school 50 times, scoring 13 goals. Extremely competitive, he always plays with energy and aggression and was easily the team’s best at the recent National Tournament. No one works harder in a game. Recognition of Callum’s talents led to his selection in the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Football squad, where he was also appointed captain. It is a pleasure to issue him his honours cap for service to football.

Monique Lawrence has played for the 1st XI Girls’ Football team since she was in Year 11 and has played a total of 61 games. Monique may be small, but her throw ins go further than anyone else’s. She has a foot of steel, which has saved the team many times defensively. She is always reliable and a complete asset to the team.

Lucy Simmonds has played for the 1st XI Girls’ Football team since she was in Year 11 also and has played a total of 55 games during this time. Lucy is another one of our solid defenders, playing centre defence. She reads the game well, counter-attacking effectively. Lucy leads by example on the pitch, always giving 100%.


Rugby

First XV rugby 2019 — Image by: Andrew Constable

John Hustler has been a part of the 1st XV since 2018 and has currently had 24 games for the team. He is very consistent at scrum time, very handy with the ball in hand and he is an outstanding team player. His strong running with the ball has meant he has already scored five tries this season, three in the last three games. Outstanding from a front-row man. He was a big part of last year’s championship winning team, starting at loose-head prop. John has a great understanding of the game and will once again play a big role moving in the second half of the season.

Henry Brown has been a part of the 1st XV since 2018 and currently has played 24 games for the team. He served his apprenticeship behind some good seniors last year, the likes of Liam Allen and Brigham Moeakiola. This year Henry has really stepped up and taken on a leadership role within the team. He starts as vice-captain. Henry has a very good work rate on and off the field and is just realising his potential on the rugby field and is consistently improving every week.

Havila Molia has been a part of the 1st XV since 2018 and has recently earned his 22nd cap for the team. As a big young man, he has played a big role since joining the team. He is devastating with ball in hand, but also has a tidy step and completes his core roles to a high standard. Havila has scored five tries this season – two in his most recent game. Havila has grown as a leader and last year captained the Waikato Under-16 team. He will be excited at the opportunity to gain higher honours when he attends the Chiefs under-18 camp in July.

Mattheus Pio has been a part of the 1st XV since 2018 and he too recently earned his 22nd cap for St Paul’s. He is an exciting young player with great acceleration and brings another dimension of play to the team. His genuine speed can open the game up at any time, and he has shown some great form in the last two games, scoring long-range tries and also becoming more and more competent at kicking goals. Mattheus’ X-factor is a major weapon for the team leading into the second half of the season.

Campbell Robb has been a part of the 1st XV since 2018 and in the game against St John’s Hamilton, he earned his well-deserved 20th cap. He is a fit, strong athlete who competes at every opportunity. Campbell is an outstanding prop/hooker, consistently completing his core roles at scrum and line out time to a high standard and really starting to offer some impact with ball in hand. He is a great team man who will play a big role in the second half of the season.

Ben Strang has been a part of the 1st XV since 2018, who has also earned his 20th cap in the most recent game played last weekend. He is an exciting athlete who has worked hard to move from the wing into halfback position this season. He has a quick offload and is developing a useful box kick. He is a talented footy player who is fast becoming a leader in the 1st XV. All signs point to Ben having a great end to 2019 and even bigger 2020.

Nick Karton who played his 20th game for the 1st XV in the CNI final has been awarded his Rugby Cap at the end-of-season dinner. Words that describe him are: dedicated, coachable, hardworking, and ruthless in his desire to be the best he can, reliable and a quality team man. Highlights for Nick were scoring a great try against Wesley College in last year’s semi-final; his attack and defence in the April camp games against Palmerston North Boys' High School and Tauranga Boys’ College and his return to rugby in this year’s semi and final, after a long layout with a shoulder injury.