Dean Stafford ... Napier Boys College

Dean Stafford grew up in sleepy Wairoa. He lived across the road from a rugby field where he spent hours by himself kicking, hitting or throwing a ball or just running around.

Stafford says Wairoa was a peaceful existence:

“Wairoa is a really small place and there isn’t a lot to do. I used to spend most of my time at the park playing sport and it’s helped me. I love sport. I love the outdoors.”

Stafford is a Year 13 border at Napier Boys’ High School. He is an outstanding all-round sportsman.

At the schools’ athletics day he won the Senior 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and was 4th in the 3000m. It’s the first time in the schools history (Napier opened in 1872) that those events have been won by the same boy.

Stafford was the National under-16 800m champion two years ago. He has a best time of 1.55s over the distance, but has more recently focussed on the 200m and the 400m.

In the 200m his best time is 22.60s which ranks him inside the top ten for seniors in the country. In the 400m he was second at the North Island championships on Saturday and his personal best time of 49.70s ranks him fifth in the under-20 age group.

“It’s been a good season. I have been working really hard with my Coach Bruce Smith. I could win the National 400m title if I avoid injures,” Stafford says.

Stafford’s had minor injury complaints throughout the athletics season. His struggle with injuries could be attributed to his busy sporting schedule. In addition to athletics he is an accomplished baseball player. He has represented New Zealand at under-18 level. Stafford explains a rugby tour was the reason he got into baseball.

“We went to America with a Colts team at Napier Boys.’ While in San Francisco we went to a Giants major league game and I got hooked. I really like the sport. I joined a club and still follow the Giants.”

Despite little competition locally, Stafford has been good enough to earn selection for the under-18 New Zealand team. Stafford often plays in Auckland and last year posted the third highest batting average at the National Championships. Strafford says baseball is a growing sport in New Zealand:

“It’s starting to take off. There are more scouts looking at the game. The MLB on ESPN means people can watch high-standard games.”

Stafford hopes to play rugby to a high standard. He trailed for the First XV as a first-five and fullback and stands a strong chance of selection. Stafford says Napier had a “really disappointing season” in 2014 and he hopes to contribute to a revival.

“Rugby is really important at this school and 2014 wasn’t good enough.  We have some good players and we are building nicely.”

Stafford knows how to find success. He has won two national orienteering titles with the Napier Boys’ team.  He says he “isn’t sure” what sport he wants to pursue after school, but says he will always find time for the little park when he is back in Wairoa.

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