Hayden Phillips played an incredible 124 matches for the Palmerston North Boys’ High School First XI hockey team. He made his debut in 2011 as a Year 9 when he was called up to play in the Rankin Cup in Invercargill and was never usurped in the midfield. In April this year Phillips’ high school coach Bruce Kensington, who also coached Black Sticks striker Nick Wilson, told the Manawatu Standard he believed Phillips could be selected for the Rio Olympics later this year. “I’m very biased because I watched Nick Wilson and Hayden Phillips closely because (of my) association with Boys’ High….I don’t think he’s (Hayden) doing anything wrong; he’s playing very good hockey,” Kensington said. Since debuting for the Black Sticks against South Korea, Phillips was picked for the team that’s competed at the Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia and has now played 11 tests. Phillips was modest when asked about his initial performances for the Black Sticks. “My debut was against Korea and it was a 3-3 draw. To be honest my performances have been nothing special. I think I have done my job and that’s been enough.” Phillips loves the Black Sticks environment. The side will be led by two-time Olympian Simon Child (260 tests) and features seven others with 150-plus tests. “The experienced players have really embraced me. They have been quick to offer me support when I need it and have always encouraged me to be myself.” Despite a warm reception from veterans and solid form, Phillips was surprised to make the Olympic cut. “I found out while driving in the car and about a week before the team was made public. I told Mum, but it was hard to contain the news from my friends,” Phillips admits. Bates won the Super 8 title in 2014 and 2015 at Boys’ High. He was named MVP of the tournament in the final and scored the winning goal against eventual Rankin Cup winners, Hamilton BHS. “Hockey at Boys’ High played a huge role in my development. I had a strong relationship with co-captain Greg Bates in my final year. Mr Kensington was a great teacher and mentor,” Phillips says. In July 2015 Phillips was MVP at the National regional championships. His Central under-18 team won the title defeating Midlands 2-1 in the final in North Harbour. Central didn’t drop a game at the tournament, beating Auckland 4-3, Canterbury 4-2, Northland 8-0, Midlands 2-1 and North Harbour 3-0 before reaching the final. Phillips scored the winning goal in the decider. Phillips’ quick assent in hockey was accelerated by a hockey-mad family. His two sisters and mother are all fine players. “I was brought up on hockey. I love it. It’s surreal I am training and playing with the guys I used to watch on TV and pretend to be in the back yard,” Phillips says. The Black Sticks are set to face world No. 1 Australia first up at the Games, with Great Britain (unranked), Belgium (5), Spain (11) and hosts Brazil (32) also in their pool. “I can’t wait. It’s a massive opportunity,” Phillips concludes. The New Zealand men’s hockey team will take plenty of experience as well as some youthful talent into the Rio Olympic Games in August. The team of 16 players named by the New Zealand Olympic Committee today includes four players who will be playing at their third Olympic Games and a further four confirmed for their second campaign. Captain Simon Child (260 test caps), Ryan Archibald (313), Shea McAleese (225) and Bradley Shaw (179) will suit up for the third time while Hugo Inglis (176), Nick Wilson (156), Blair Hilton (153) and Stephen Jenness (150) were all members of the New Zealand men's team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. An exciting addition to the team is 18-year-old Central Mavericks midfielder Hayden Phillips who has earned Olympic selection having made his debut against Korea in Auckland earlier this year. Phillips, from Levin, is an impressive young talent who has progressed from the New Zealand Youth Olympic Team which competed at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games. With his slick elimination skills he will be looking to cause trouble for anyone marking him in Rio. Midlands 20-year-old Nic Woods (47 tests) also lines up as a defender, having developed into one of the country’s most lethal exponents of the drag flick as well as offering sharp athleticism and quick hands on the ball. Goalkeeper Devon Manchester will be under the bar in Rio and looking to use his speed, agility and awareness to keep the ball out of New Zealand’s goal. Head coach Colin Batch said the naming of the team now allows the group time to work together and focus solely on hitting the turf in Rio. “We have named our team early which gives us extra time to prepare and train together as a unit. I believe we are in a good position to accelerate our development, both individually and also as a team,” Batch said. “Our team is well balanced with eight new Olympians and eight having experienced Olympic competition before, although Rio does offer many more challenges than what athletes experienced at London 2012. “It is not just about coping with the environment, but all teams face tough competition in both men’s pools. Hockey has developed into a global sport and the depth and consistency of the competition means there is no easy path to securing a quarter finals spot. However, I’m confident that we can perform well and be a strong contender at the business end of the tournament.” New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith noted the opportunity that lies in front of both the men's and women's hockey teams in Rio and wished them well in the final stages of preparation for the Games. "Rio is set to come alive in August as a vibrant and exciting city and with the newly renovated Olympic Hockey Centre forming a key part of the Deodoro cluster of venues, we're looking forward to cheering on the team at this world-class facility. "With the men's hockey team named today, the players are one of the first team-sports to be formally welcomed into the New Zealand Olympic team and the players can now knuckle down over the next two months in the lead up to the Games. "One thing we can be sure of is that the competition well and truly shifts up a gear at the Olympic Games, I know the team will be looking forward to laying it all on the line in Rio and New Zealanders in turn are looking forward to tuning into the hockey teams' progress at the Games." The New Zealand Men are in action on the opening day of competition against trans-Tasman rivals Australia at 4:30am on Sunday 7th August (NZ time) before the Women open their campaign against Korea at 1:00am the following Monday morning. Two pitches will host both events and for the first time in an Olympic hockey competition, quarter-finals will be played with the top four teams from each pool qualifying for the knock-out stages. The winners of the quarter-finals will qualify for the semi-finals which will determine who will play in the gold and bronze medal matches. These final two men's matches are scheduled for Thursday 18th August. The New Zealand Women’s team will be named in early July following the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in London. New Zealand hockey teams have won several Commonwealth Games medals dating back to Kuala Lumpur 1998 right through to Glasgow 2014. The Olympic hockey highlight for New Zealand came at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 when the men's hockey team triumphed over Australia to claim the Gold medal. Canterbury Hockey has announced their men’s and women’s U18 teams for their 2016 campaigns. Four U18 teams have been selected, men’s and women’s Regional sides and men’s and women’s Association teams. A number of exciting up and coming secondary school athletes have been picked, to follow in the footsteps of many players before them that have gone on to play at the elite level and represent New Zealand after first wearing the red and black colours at age-grade level. The Regional sides compete in the National U18 Regional Tournament in Palmerston Norths from10-16 July, whilst the Men’s Association tem competes at the National U18 Association Tournament in Invercargill from 11-16 July and the Women’s Association team plays in their comparative tournament at Timaru. Also looking ahead, the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rankin Cup/India Shield (Boys) and Federation Cup/Marie Fry Cup (Girls) tournaments are in Wellington and North Harbour respectively from 29 August to 3 September. Three of the four top hockey schools in New Zealand in 2015 were Canterbury sides, with Rangi Ruru Girls’ School beating fellow Christchurch school St Margaret’s College 1-0 in a heartstopper to win the NZSS Federation Cup title and St Andrew’s College finishing runners-up to Westlake Boys’ High School in the Rankin Cup final. U18 Men Regional Louis Beckert Shaun Coles Matt Cummins Mitchell Davis Sam Dawson Jono Ellis Hamish Findlay Xavier Hay Moss Jackson Will Mace-Cochrane Callum McGregor Lachlan Miller Henry Phelps Michael Ridgen Balthazar Ruscoe Sam Taylor AJ Tyler Joseph Yoon U18 Men Association James Donaldson Cameron Douglas Will Duston Fletcher Edmond Ben Epton Llewelyn Heale Keeley Legge Josh Mariu Felix McIntosh Joshua Morrison Scott Muir Will O’Brien Jayden Rakowitz Liam Sharp Ryan Smith Simon Yorston U18 Women Regional Danielle Ackland Jessie Anderson Claire Bamford Millie Calder Hayley Cox Izzy Gibson Sarah Hay Charlotte Lee Abby Lennon Georgie Mackay-Stewart Libby Morris Maddie Story Phoebe Spiers Lucy Turner Margot Willis Annabelle Wilson Emily Wium Maddie Wotton U18 Women Association Olivia Allan Bayley Anderson Kaycie Austin Jessy Brant Maddie Earle Maddie Fairbrass Yzzy Maindonald Neve Marshall Pippa McKinnel Grace Murphy Melanie Puckett Ruby Spencer Biddy Tothill Paige Waddington Taylor Waddington Sophie White Mitchell Ottow suffered a serious neck injury in 2014 which prevented him from touring Australia in early summer 2015 with the New Zealand Under-19 hockey team. It was a bitter blow for Ottow who had been knocking on the door of national selection for several seasons. Injury has strengthened his resolve. Last year he captained Westlake Boys’ High School to the Rankin Cup title (celebrations below), trialled for the New Zealand Under-21′s and regained his place in the 19′s. “I am really looking forward to the Aussie trip. Playing other countries and the best in your age group is a really exciting challenge,” he says. In December a training camp was held in Auckland where 36 players were selected to tour. They will be divided into two teams, White and Black. Ottow enjoyed interacting with the other players. “Seven of the players are from North Harbour so I know them really well and compete with or against them regularly. I have come across many of the others before, but I haven’t really talked to them because they are the opposition. It was nice to talk to them and realise they are nice guys,” he admits. Ottow concedes New Zealand knows little about their opposition, but will be filming games on tour to build knowledge. Managing the summer heat will be a big factor. “I have been working hard on my fitness, but nothing can really prepare you for the extreme heat on the Gold Coast. We will have to manage our fluids and subs really well,” he says. New Zealand hockey Campaign Manager Hemant Lala said: “The challenge for these young players will be to see if they are able to implement their new learning’s in an international competition environment.” Ottow identifies Rankin Cup winning teammates Benji Edwards and JP Rossouw as players to keep an eye on while Sam Hiha a striker from Napier BHS has also impressed. “Sam is really good. He is controlled on the ball and every time he gets it you sense something positive will happen,” Ottow says. It’s a positive time for hockey at present. Later in 2016 both the men’s and women’s senior teams will compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. PLAYER NAME - REGION - POSITION Zane Anderson - Midlands - Striker Reuben Andrews - Midlands - Defender Mark Bell-Kake - Auckland - Striker Wade Bennett - Midlands - Goalkeeper Jonathon Bloor - Midlands - Striker Malachi Buschl - Southern - Defender Te Hiraka Chase - Midlands - Defender Sean Crook - Central - Goalkeeper Lawrence Darling - Canterbury - Defender Garrick du Tiot - Midlands - Midfielder Benji Edwards - North Harbour - Defender Hamish Findlay - Canterbury - Midfielder Brandon Ford - Northland - Striker Kurt Ford - Northland - Striker Jesse Forsyth - Canterbury - Striker Travis Good - North Harbour - Striker Connor Greentree - North Harbour - Defender Angus Griffin - Central - Goalkeeper Xavier Guy - Auckland - Defender Xavier Hey - Central - Defender Sam Hiha - Central - Striker Moss Jackson - Canterbury - Striker Kalyan Jeram - Auckland - Striker Timothy Kerr - Capital - Midfielder Ethan Martin - Midlands - Defender Hamish McGeorge - Midlands - Striker Paraone Muru - Midlands - Defender Mitchell Ottow - North Harbour - Midfielder Max Rasmussen - Auckland - Midfielder JP Rossouw - North Harbour - Midfielder Dion Spackman - Central - Defender Ross Stembridge - Central - Midfielder Dylan Stevenson - North Harbour - Defender Jordan Ward - Southern - Defender Henry Will - North Harbour - Striker William Zhou - Capital - Goalkeeper Match Schedule Sunday 10th January – NZ Black vs NZ White Monday 11th January – NZ Black vs Japan/NZ White vs Australia Tuesday 12th January - NZ White vs Japan/NZ Black vs Australia Thursday 14th January - NZ Black vs Japan/NZ White vs Australia Friday 15th January - NZ Black vs NZ White An extended squad has been named for the Junior Black Sticks Women’s tour to Australia in the New Year. The tour is a development opportunity for young players who are deemed 3-5 years away from National Squad selection. The squad will play as two teams in games against Australia and Japan Under 19 groups on the Gold Coast from 8-15 January. Junior Black Sticks Women’s Squad Gold Coast Tour Josie Ackroyd - North Harbour Jessie Anderson - Canterbury Johanna Avery - Central Millie Calder - Canterbury Ailsa Connolly - Auckland Frances Davies - Midlands Ella Hyatt-Brown - North Harbour Polly Inglis - Auckland KateIvory - Auckland Hattie Jones - North Harbour Acacia Kelsen - Midlands Bridget Kiddle - Canterbury Kelsey Lewis - Midlands Alex Lukin - Midlands Amelia Marlow - Auckland Hayley Maunder - Northland Clodagh McCullough - North Harbour Maddi McLean - Southern Neve McLean - Southern Annie McNaughton - Midlands Whena Munn - Capital Tegan Muraahi - Central Siobhan Nuzum - Midlands Holly Pearson - Central Emma Rainey - Central Kayla Reed - North Harbour Tori Robinson - Midlands Kate Sellar - North Harbour Charlotte Symes - Canterbury DeborahYung - Midlands Casey-Mae Waddell - Central Tayla White - Auckland Madeleine Williamson - North Harbour Ginny Wilson - Southern Emily Wium - Canterbury Maddie Wotton - Canterbury
14/11/2015
Phillips makes NZ Hockey U23 at just 17Future Black Sticks Men’s head coach Bryce Collins has named a talented team ahead of a five test series against their Australian counterparts. The Future Black Sticks side (Under 23s) includes players who had a strong Ford National Hockey League and is led by National Squad member Matt Rees-Gibbs (Midlands). New Zealand will play an Australian U23 team five times from 21-27 November at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra. It’s an important series in the lead up to next year’s Junior World Cup, and also provides a high quality development opportunity for the next tier of potential Black Sticks. Collins said the series gives players exposure to top class international competition which will help build depth for the Black Sticks going forward. The series also shows the strengthening connection between New Zealand and Australia, with more international competition at all age groups lifting the strength of Oceania hockey. One additional player will be named later this week to replace Central’s Rob Creffier, who was to be named in the team but had been withdrawn due to a broken finger. Brennan ALEXANDER-PARKER Martin ATKINSON Ruan BEZUIDENHOUT Robbie CAPIZZI Daniel HARRIS Hugh HENRICKSON Connor HEREWINI Sam JIMMIESON Richmond LUM Thomas MALLON Oliver McINTYRE Kieran O’CONNOR Daniel PANCHIA Hayden PHILLIPS Matt REES-GIBBS Joshua SMITH Matt SYMONDS Benedict VAN WOERKOM Chad WHITEHEAD Kerikeri High School's Samantha Polovnikoff and Whangarei Boys' High School's Callum Prime take the top awards at the Northland Secondary School Sports Awards. See below for the full list of winners from the night. Ben Armstrong, AFL, Bay of Islands College. Jessie Parr, AFL, Whangarei Girls' High School. Scott Gregory, Athletics, Whangarei Boys High School. Aimee-Leigh Scott, Athletics, Whangarei Girls' High School. Jack Ding, Badminton, Whangarei Boys' High School. Rewi McPherson, Basketball, Huanui College. Kona-Ariki Hippolite, Basketball, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe. Richard Young, Bike, Huanui College. Alex Dickson, Boccia, Tikipunga High School. Kyle Chen, Boxing, Kerikeri High School. Phoebe Armstead, Cheerleading, Rodney College. Matthew Lobb, Cricket, Whangarei BHS. Olivia Lobb, Cricket, Whangarei Girls' High School. Kyla Smith, Crossfit, Kaitaia College. Ioane Job, Crossfit, Whangarei Boys' High School. Mihi Shepherd, Equestrian, Whangarei Girls' High School. Samuel Marlow, Polocrosse, Dargaville High School. Malcolm Young, Football, Huanui College. Anya Gross, Football, Pompallier Catholic College. Nada Walker, Futsal, Kerikeri High School. Julian Fowler, Golf, Whangarei Boys' HS. Soktaera Sean, Golf, Whangarei Girls' High School. Zoe Espie, Gymsports, Huanui College. Maia Prochazka, Gymsports, Whangarei Girls' High. Sarah deBruin, Highland Dance, Dargaville High School. Samantha Polovnikoff, Hockey, Kerikeri High School. Zachary Litchfield, Hockey, Whangarei Boys' High School. Enele Levita, Jiu jitsu, Kamo High School. Yvette Hendrikse, Karate, Whangarei Girls' High. Artem Maltsev, Kenpo, Dargaville High School. Justin Palmer, Kickboxing, Kamo High School. Cullen Curtis, Motocross, Otamatea High School. Kacey Potae, Netball, Bay of Islands College. Jessie Cresswell, Official, Whangarei Girls' High School. Te Rau Aroha Totoro, Official, Tikipunga High School. Sadieux Tua, Official, Tikipunga High School. Ethan Codlin, Official, Huanui College. Paige Lawgun, Olympic Weightlifting, Whangarei Girls' High School. Callum Hill, Orienteering, Whangarei Boys' High School. Daniel Gaualofa, Parafed, Kerikeri High School. Joshua Edmonds, Powerlifting, Okaihau College. Ben Monaghan, Rowing, Huanui College. Ashlee Greenhalgh, Rowing, Huanui College. Levi Clark, Rugby, Kerikeri High School. Cydney McNally, Rugby, Okaihau College. Caleb Aekins, Rugby League, Whangarei Boys' High School. Konrad May, Target Rifle Shooting, Kamo High School. Hainee Musgrove, Clay Target Shooting, Whangarei Boys' High School. Caitlin Reed, Clay Target Shooting, Whangarei Girls' High. Samantha Skovlund, Air Pistol Shooting, Whangarei Girls' High School. Keegan Bridges, Special Olympics, Tikipunga High School. Rachel Harvie, Special Olympics, Kerikeri High School. Finn Trimble, Squash, Whangarei Boys' High . Abbie Palmer, Squash, Bream Bay College. Max Brunker, Surfing, Whangarei Boys' High School. Grace Pevats, Surfing, Whangarei Girls' High School. Callum Prime, Swimming, Whangarei Boys' High School. Hayley McIntosh, Swimming, Whangarei Girls' High School. Bradley Greenwood, Taekwondo, Kerikeri High School. Connor Van Dalsum, Tennis, Otamatea High School. Nalani Karena-Waenga, Triathlon, Kaitaia College. Killarney Aikens, Touch, Te Kapehu Whetu. Lee Turner, Touch, Whangarei Boys' High School. Sheena Wejendorp, Ultimate Frisbee, Whangarei Girls' High School. Heemi Rihari, Volleyball, Whangarei Boys' High School. Teina Rihari, Volleyball, Whangarei Girls' High School. Jasmine Milton, Volleyball, Whangarei Girls' High School. Zane Heta, Waka Ama, Whangarei Girls' High School. Baden Curel, Water Skiing, Dargaville High School. Shae Donahoe, Yachting, Kerikeri High School. Taimana Ngakuru-Smith, Area School Award, Tauraroa Area School. Sullivan Tito, Area School Award, Mangakahia Area School. Patrick Harris, Team, Kerikeri High School. Michaela Hawkins, Team, Kerikeri High School. Shae Donahoe, Team, Kerikeri High School. Francis Cassells, Team, Kerikeri High School. Jack Bunce, Team, Kerikeri High School. Frank Dair, Team, Kerikeri High School. Connor Bartlett, Team, Kerikeri HS. Emily Jones, Team, Kerikeri High School. James Mortimer, Male All Rounder, Huanui College. Mackenzie Johnson, Female All Rounder, Whangarei Girls' High School. Ioane Job, Male Sporting Excellence, Whangarei Boys' High School. Kyla Smith, Female Sporting Excellence, Kaitaia College. Callum Prime, ASB Sportsman of the Year, Whangarei Boys' High School. Samantha Polovnikoff, ASB Sportswoman of the Year, Kerikeri High School. Hard work paid off for the Rangi Ruru Girls’ School’s hockey team in winning the 2015 Federation Cup New Zealand Secondary Schools hockey tournament in Tauranga last weekend.
One of three Christchurch schools to reach the semi-finals, Rangi Ruru captain and the tournament’s leading goal-scorer Charlotte Arthur scored in extra time to secure a 1-0 win over St Margaret’s College to help her school win the Federation Cup for the first time in 15 years. Rangi Ruru was coached by John Radovonich and Rachel McCann. Radovonich, a former New Zealand men’s hockey captain, also won the Boys’ Rankin Cup with Christchurch Boys’ High School in 2010. College Sport Media caught up with him about the latest victory. What were the team’s expectations heading into the tournament and did you exceed these by making the final and then winning it? We felt that we had a group who could win the Federation Cup if they played as a team, but you are never sure what the opposition can do to you in a tournament and how strong the North Island teams are. We spent the season growing players, improving our skills and working on team work. How long has this group of players been together and how hard did they work over the winter building up for this? We had a good core of players who won the South Island Six – A – Side tournament at the start of the year. We then won the Porritt Cup and showed an ability to score goals which was exciting for our team. Throughout the season we had a few injuries to key players and, we had to balance injury management and fitness so that we had a full team for Federation Cup. You beat another Christchurch school St Margaret’s College in the final. Are they traditional rivals and did this make it extra special meeting them in the final and then beating them? We always have tough games against St Margaret’s and know each other’s strengths well. We have finished ahead of them at Federation Cup for four out of the last five years and were very proud of that record and wanted to maintain it going into the final. The final was close, how did it play out? The game started with a huge amount of pressure on our defence. St Margaret’s were awarded numerous penalty corners from the start. Excellent goal keeping from Aimee Hayward, and defensive deflections by Sophie Radovonich, Jess Gunn, Phoebe Spiers and Danielle Ackland really saved the day. The ability of the girls to make good passes under pressure changed the momentum and the game evened out as it progressed. The game was tense throughout and numerous attacking corners were not converted. Our key goal scorer, Charlotte Arthur, and Margot Willis created some good opportunities. The game went to drop off; once again the defence were calm under pressure with Gunn making a number of timely tackles. The attacking skills of Margot Willis, Sophie Radovonich and Charlotte Arthur led to the winning goal. What were some of the tournament highlights leading up to the final? We played against Columba College late on Monday evening on a flooded turf in torrential rain. The ball could not travel more than a few metres so it was a memorable game with skilful over-heading by Danielle Ackland ensuring we maintained a territorial advantage and got the win. A highlight also was the complete team effort on defence against Villa Maria in the semi-final and Claudia Reid’s winning goal from a powerful strike at the top of the circle. A turning point in the tournament was when one of our key players Annabelle Wilson was injured before our quarter final against Auckland Dio and suddenly we had to change all our plans. The girls overcame this obstacle with focus and determination to prove we could win games with our team structure altered. We won 4-1 So there were several leading players that contributed to the tournament win? Charlotte Arthur was a standout with her skill and leadership throughout the week. She was the tournament’s leading goal scorer with 10 goals. The senior leadership team of Arthur, Rebecca Skurr, Radovonich and Gunn provided maturity and leadership in the games and the younger players Amelia Wilson, Brittany Wang, Emma Hewitt, Alex Summerfield, Alice Luxton, Reid, and Lucy Simpson developed throughout the week. Our goal keeper Aimee Hayward had a wonderful week and did not concede a goal in the semi or final. The team were supportive of each other and had fun which contributed to a positive attitude. How is the team shaping up for the future? The team has an even spread of players across the age groups. There are only four Year 13s so it leaves a strong core of players for the future and we have a strong group in the Second Eleven to fill the spaces. Rangi Hockey is strong and focusses on developing players throughout the season. How does the rest of the year pan out locally for Rangi Ruru? We have finished our season for 2015. The girls will now be focussing on their school work and some individual hockey programmes. The Canterbury under 15 Girls will be going to a National Tournament in the holidays and Rangi Ruru has a number of girls involved in this programme. Who were some of the other people behind the scenes that helped you win the Federation Cup? Vanessa Trent has been an amazing physio for many of the girls and helped with the rehabilitation and conditioning throughout the season. Her expertise was crucial to our success. We also appreciated the support from Rangi - Dr Stubbs at the tournament and Jo Fogarty, Head of Sport. Also huge thanks to the parents who catered for us in Tauranga with their nutritious meals. To Karen Radovonich, the Team Manager, plus it’s terrific reward for Rachel Mcann and I as coaches who have spent many hours planning and coaching.
11/9/2015
Westlake - the best in NZMitchell Ottow has played a lot of hockey for Westlake Boys’ High School. He has been a part of the First XI since Year 10. Ottow is a seasoned campaigner. Prior to this season he had contested two previous Rankin Cup finals, both ended in defeat. In 2012 Westlake stumbled to King’s College. In 2013 they were ripped apart by Hamilton Boys’ High School. Ottow reflects on those disappointments: “The King’s game could have gone either way. We lost 1-3 and were left to rue some missed chances. Hamilton destroyed us 9-1. They were unbeatable to be honest.” In 2015, Westlake won the Auckland City title defeating King’s College 3-2 in the final. They won their first three pool games at the Rankin Cup to guarantee a place in the quarter finals. The last pool game against Hastings Boys’ High School proved to be a valuable lesson. “That was a real struggle,” concedes Ottow. “We were already in the finals and our approach was too casual. We nearly lost, and might of last year.” Westlake won 4-3 and was switched on for the quarter and semi finals. In the final they faced St. Andrew’s College from Christchurch. A South Island school hadn’t won the Rankin Cup since 2010 and STAC proved to be talented and stubborn opponents. “We weren’t sure what would happen. We picked out a few of their players to target, but it was a real tight game. We both had chances, but lucky for us we took one of ours.” Ottow admits his experience as a captain helped him keep claim in tense moments. “I guess my experience is the biggest thing I bring to leadership. I have been in this position before and I was a bit more confident about what to do,” he says. Westlake scored a solitary goal to win their second Rankin Cup. Their last was in 2008. Ottow describes the goal. “The goal was scored in the first half. One of our players dribbled the ball baseline and passed it into the circle. Wesley Sleep dived towards it and tapped it on the dive into the goal.” Sleep is a South African exchange student. He was the team’s leading goal scorer and a First XI cricketer who was due to return to his native country in October, but will stay for December’s Gillette Cup which Westlake qualified for by winning the Auckland competition. Sleep scored both goals in the tough semi-final win against St. Paul’s Collegiate. Mitchell was named Westlake’s player of the tournament. He is a member of the Future Black Sticks squad who will compete in the Junior World Cup in India next year. He plans to study engineering at University in 2016. Season Record Played: 31 Won: 27 Drawn: 3 Lost: 1 Goals For: 149 Goals Against: 19 Rankin Cup Results 5-0 versus Rathkeale College 5-1 versus Sacred Heart College (Auckland) 4-3 versus Hastings Boys’ High School 3-0 versus Christ’s College 2-0 versus Wairarapa College (Quarter Final) 2-1 versus St Pauls Collegiate (Semi Final) 1-0 versus St Andrew’s College (Final)
30/8/2015
Rankin Cup ContendersThe Rankin Cup, the Premier Secondary Schools' boys hockey event, will be staged at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, Auckland. The tournament has been extended from 24 teams to 32 teams. Who are the contenders to win? These four schools' will be hard to beat. Hamilton Boys' High School - In 2013 Hamilton stormed to their first Rankin Cup success winning 31 games on the trot and scoring a staggering 274 goals. They defended their title in 2014 beating Wairarapa College on penalty strokes. Hamilton competed the season with 22 wins, two draws and a one goal defeat to Palmerston North Boys' High School. In 2015 Hamilton have successfully defended the Midlands Intercity title and have performed strongly in their school exchanges. Players to watch include: Captain Ethan Martin, a New Zealand Under-18 rep and the Super 8 top goal scorer. Defender Te Hiraka Chase another New Zealand Under-18 rep and Zane Anderson who brings a lot of attacking flair. Westlake Boys' High School - Westlake are the Auckland Super City champions after beating King's College 3-2 in the final on Wednesday night. They have played 24 games this season and enjoyed 22 wins, one defeat and a draw. They are the current holders of the Bartholomew Cup after beating St Pauls Collegiate two weekends ago. Westlake have two players in the Future Blacksticks squad, Mitchell Ottow (captain) and Benji Edwards (VC). They are supported by JP Rossouw and Keegan Russell. All four boys represented North Harbour at the National Under-21 tournament. Westlake won the Rankin Cup in 2008 and since 2000 have produced the following Blacksticks: Steve Edwards, Joseph Bartholomew Nick Wilson, James Coughlan, Cory Bennett. Palmerston North Boys' High School - In the last decade Palmerston North has had five top three finishes at the Rankin Cup and enter the 2015 tournament with a strong team, the last for veteran coach Bruce Kensington. Kensington played in the Rankin Cup final as a schoolboy and has guided Palmerston North to eight Super 8 titles, including the 2015 crown where they beat Hamilton Boys' High School 2-1 in the final. Players to watch in white include goalie Angus Griffin, New Zealand age-group rep Hayden Phillips and Captain Greg Bates. King's College - The Runners up in the Auckland competition have won the Rankin Cup in six times; they defeated Westlake in two of those finals. King's has a strong squad stacked with Auckland reps and Zander Fraser and Daniel Easton who are New Zealand Under-18 representatives. The side is well led by Captain Max Rasmussen and despite losing the Auckland final on Wednesday to Westlake, they are the only team to have beaten Westlake this year. Since 2000 King's have produced the following Black Sticks: Michael Gunn, Ken Robinson, Cain Fleming, Simon Child, Marcus Child, Devon Manchester and Jared Panchia. Others To Watch: Wairarapa College who made the Rankin final last year. Wellington champions, Hutt International Boys' School. Wellington College who have finished fourth at Rankin in the last two years. India Shield winners Scots College and St. Andrew's College from Christchurch appear to be the strongest of the South Island schools. Historic Tally Of Wins Auckland Grammar School: 23 Christchurch Boys’ High School:17 King’s College: 6 Wellington College: 5 Shirley Boys’ High School: 5 Taumarunui District High School: 4 Palmerston North Boys’ High School: 3 Wanganui Collegiate School: 2 Wanganui Technical College: 2 Nelson College: 2 Gisborne Boys’ High School: 2 Stratford High School: 2 Longbay College: 2 St. Andrew’s College: 2 Gisborne Boys’ High School: 2 Cashmere High School: 1 Hamilton Boys’ High School: 2 Wairarapa College: 1 Christchurch West High School: 1 Burnside High School: 1 Westlake Boys’ High School: 1 Note: The Bartholomew Cup is the equivalent of schoolboy hockey's Ranfurly Shield For More Details Check: http://www.hockeynz.co.nz/Events/Full-Events-Listing/2015-secondary-school-tournaments |
Archives
September 2021
Categories |
OrganisationCollege Sport Media is dedicated to telling the story of successful young sportspeople in New Zealand
|