Sports News week ending 6 November 2020
U15 Rugby 7s
Our U15 rugby 7's recently competed in the ARU 7's where they did enough to impress the right people, earning an invite to NZ's Condor 7's tournament. This is a compliment to the coaching staff who worked through the school holidays with this team. Quiann Mafoe (Yr 10) and his team will no doubt continue their commitment to Rugby 7's after an impressive campaign, we look forward to this tournament in December.
Cricket
Our 1st XI started their season with a narrow defeat to Western Springs, losing in the final over after making 153 runs. Siupeli Aho and his team have been working hard this week to improve accuracy of bowling and sharpen up the close fielding - focusing on two areas after Saturday's defeat. The old saying "we win or we learn" is evidenced here and these are two statistics where we can do better. Keep working hard gentlemen, the college is right behind you.
A familiar face umpired the game with 2019 head boy Joseph Johnstone offering his services. Joseph was and still is, a committed SPL 1st XI man, making time for his old team during his University exams - good on you Joseph, confortare esto vir.
Touch
The U15 & U14 touch teams have started their season on Tuesdays at Cornwall Park. After winning last year's U14 grade, this year's U15s will be hard to beat with speed, skills, experience and fitness. The U14's, led by Compton Purcell & Steven Moala have also started strongly with 4 consecutive wins to start their season. Recently our U14s were drawn to play ACG Parnell who were short on players and short on experience, our students offered to help their team - reversing their singlets and helping coach the opposition through the game. This is the kind of initiative, sportsmanship & leadership we should all be very proud to see coming through our sports program. Well done, keep up the great work team.
(St Paul's students also in white singlets)
We received the following feedback from ACG Parnell - well done boys. You made St Paul's proud.
"Kia Ora Dave,
Tonight we played your St Paul's Touch Team in Central Zone B Grade.
Four of the boys kindly offered to play for our team who had no subs and had never played Touch before this competition start.
We are truly grateful! It was a great experience for our kids who said they learnt alot.
Thank you!
Kind Regards,
Steph Trowill Sports Coordinator"
Waka Ama
A sport new to St Paul's, but one with a big future. Our U15 Waka Ama paddlers have been training hard as they look to compete this saturday at Orakei domain. Good luck to our team, we look forward to your competition.
Referees
It's not often you will read a sport report with an update on the officials, however over 20 of our U14/U15 touch players recently stepped up to ref the Central Zone Year 7/8 touch tournament. I observed calm, confident and balanced refereeing from all students over many games - patient with players who didn't know the rules, firm in their decisions and a good "feel for the game". These young men represented St Paul's College to over 20 schools and did so with the highest standards. Well done gentlemen - it takes courage to referee any sport at any level.
Thank You
Our sport program is privileged to have commited, knowledgeable & talented parents volunteer to coach or manage our teams. Thank you to all the parents who have put their hand up this season and in term 4, if you'd like to be involved next year, please get in touch.
Dave McDermott
Director of Sport
