Read updates on a variety of our sporting codes....Cricket, Rugby League and Basketball

WINTER CRICKET ACADEMY:

Our winter cricket academy has recently trained at Eden Park's indoor cricket nets with ex and current Black Caps. What an excellent start to an ambitious season for our 1st XI with captain Siupeli Aho soaking up every minute of the high performance environment. With fortnightly sessions leading into the summer, I'm predicting big things from our cricketers. The academy is made up of students who have shown talent from Year 9-13 with one eye on the present, and another on the future.

Keep an eye on: Justus Telea - A powerful hitter of the ball and natural cricketer.

RUGBY LEAGUE UPDATE:

1st XIII:
The 1st XIII has had a mostly successful start the season with 4 wins and a loss. A young team still finding its feet in what looks to be a long season, I have no doubt that captain Jeremiah Margraff and his team will bounce back from their disappointing loss vs MAGS - the old saying, "you win or you learn" and no doubt there are plenty of learnings in the result. Onwards and upwards gentlemen.

Keep an eye on: Reuben Fruean - big carries, a strong runner.

2nd XIII: 

The 2nd XIII has made it 4 wins and 1 loss to start the season. I've been impressed with the efforts of this group, plenty of pressure on the 1st XIII to keep their spots week to week which is a good thing for any team.

Keep an eye on: Kobe Kaiser-Day - A tall prop growing in confidence every week. 

U15:

The U15 have finally started their season after what seems the longest pre-season ever! Starting with a 26-16 win over Sir Edmund Hillary, this is a talented team who will only improve as the season goes by. Thank you to Mr & Mrs Mafoe for stepping up to coach and manage this team. Without strong family support, St Paul's sport program would not be what it is and this team is no different.

Keep an eye on: Quainn Mafoe - A smart play-maker with exceptional skills.

BASKETBALL:

The 1st V have made an excellent start to the season going through their first 3 games undefeated. Year 12 Orlando Lima has been leading the basketball program at all levels with his commitment to the code, picking up where Luke Kelemete and Anitoni Finekifolau left off, speaking of which - both are coaching this year, except now they're "old boys" from the class of 2019.

Keep an eye on: Orlando Lima - Outstanding leadership and passion for basketball

U15:

The U15s have made a strong start to their season with plenty of training before & after school and during the school holidays. It's this type of commitment that sets up successful seasons - the undefeated start is no fluke, it's a direct results of the hours of coaching that go in behind closed doors.

Keep an eye on: Malachi Filipo - Ultra competitive and hard working on and off the ball.

U14s:

Our U14 Basketball team as per usual are playing up a grade in a very competitive junior competition. With a mixed bag of results, this team will only get better as the season goes by.. It takes courage to play up a grade, it takes commitment to keep turning up when the results aren't going your way - hang in there gentlemen, tough times don't last but tough people do.

Keep an eye on: Billy Baice - A well rounded sportsman & student.

Mr Dave McDermott
Director of Sport