STC Under 16 2018

This is a team made up of a group of free spirited boys with plenty of energy & short attention spans, but excellent rugby skills. This team was based on last years Under 15Bs plus extra boys from other STC teams last season. We started the season by agreeing on the team having a SIC culture meaning Supportive, Inclusive of all members and Competitive within and on the field.

As the season progressed we’re pleased to say the team held to our SIC culture, they supported each other welcomed new team members from outside the country & school & competed hard all season. The boys started out with some very tough losses against some big teams, but won many games against teams of similar size and ability. The season finished with the boys making their section final and unfortunately going down to a team we had convincingly beaten 2 weeks previous. The boys played in their section final against a number of boys they had never played against before.This team was a challenge for us as coaches as they were at times very frustrating, especially at trainings and pre match warm ups, but somehow they’d click at game time and put together a great game and was one of the most entertaining teams to watch on the field.The boys always played with sportsmanship, passion, belief and importantly played for each other with a never say die attitude. 

The boys always stayed positive in the face of adversity especially when playing some teams that were massively bigger than them. On the field we kept our game plan simple and the boys had an ability to play what was in front of them & scored some spectacular well worked tries often from deep inside their own half. The team was well led by Co captains Teahu & Mata with several other senior boys showing leadership on and off the field. 

Whenever the boys went out they looked as if they were having fun, which was commented from those on the sideline. This made it easier to find boys who helped out when we were hit by injuries half way through the season, where for 2 weeks we were missing 9 boys for various reasons.A big thanks goes to the 2nd XV boys who helped us out and the Under 15s especially George and Max who got us through at least 6 games when we were very short.Thanks also to the boys parents & the STC school for your support during this testing season.

We’ll miss the Friday/ Saturday Facebook banter in all sorts of languages that we strangely looked forward to & miss the missing shorts or jerseys panic shortly before kick off.Thanks for a fun season men.

Pete & Brian, (The coaches)

Most Improved Player Reupena Fofoa Under 16

Best Trainer Finlay Hunt Under 16

Best Forward Will McCorkindale Under 16

Best Back Tatsuya Todd Yasumuro Under 16

MVP Te Ahu Wall Under 16

Player of the Year Matariri Halbert-Pere Under 16

Team Spirit Letone Loto Under 16