Participation, achievement emphasised
The Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association profiles another bunch of sports leaders.
Queen’s High School Jorja Gibbons
Sports: Athletics, hockey.
Highlight: NZ U20 relay squad.
Aim as sports prefect: Getting people involved and seeing how we can make it enjoyable for those playing. Also getting to see pupils excel in their chosen sport. Cromwell College Zanjoe Valentin Sports: Rugby, basketball, touch, Rippa Rugby, volleyball, athletics. Highlights: U14 most consistent for Cromwell Rugby Club, second U16 100m and long jump at Otago athletics.
Aim as sports prefect: To bring joy to sports, catering to both the enthusiastic fans and those less interested. I aim to inspire and bond with my peers, guiding each toward their best by sharing what I know. Otago Boys’ High School Ethan Des Fountain Sports: Football, futsal. Highlight: Going undefeated in Fletcher Cup last year.
Aim as sports prefect: To get boys within the school more involved in sports, whether this is through playing in teams or coaching teams. Mack Wrigley Sport: Rugby. Highlight: Making my debut for the First XV last year. Aim as sports prefect: To recognise and celebrate the achievement of boys in all of their sports, whether it is individual success, team success or boys’ improvements throughout the year. Jonathan Tucker Sports: Football, futsal. Highlight: U19 New Zealand secondary
schools football team, U20 New Zealand football team first identification camp 2024. Aim as sports prefect: I want to be able to help grow the popularity and level of sport at Otago Boys’ and encourage boys to push themselves to achieve their goals. Columba College Bella Adams Sports: Touch, netball. Highlight: Being part of the Columba senior A touch team that made the final of the national secondary school tournament in Rotorua. Aim as sports prefect: To encourage pupils to participate in a wide variety of sports regardless of their age and ability. Millie MacKenzie
Sports: Netball, basketball.
Highlight: Winning South Island secondary schools netball and finishing fourth at nationals.
Aim as sports prefect: I want to increase the participation rate in physical activity throughout the school and promote it as a way to connect with friends and have fun while doing it. Logan Park High School Lauren Davey Sports: Sport climbing, basketball, badminton, tennis, multisport, adventure racing, crosscountry. Highlight: Attending South Island secondary school climbing championships. Our team won the girls section. Aim as sports prefect: To help and support others to participate in sport. I like how I can influence change in sport at school, and have a voice. I particularly love inspiring girls to give sport climbing a go. Trinity Catholic College Aya Oseki
Sports: Netball, basketball, beach handball, handball. Highlight: Captain of U17 New Zealand handball team for Oceania champs in New Caledonia.
Aim as sports prefect: Organise lots of lunchtime events for our pupils to take part in throughout the year. Blue Mountain College Jack Body
Sports: Rugby, touch, cricket, tennis, volleyball, kickboxing
Highlight: Winning our grade in rugby.
Aim as sports prefect: To revitalise the traditional interhouse spirit that has been declining over my years at BMC. My vision is a competition between the houses that goes beyond the athletics, swimming sports and music festivals, where all pupils feel they have a chance to participate and excel regardless of their strengths or preferences.
Tokomairiro High School Jacob Murray
Sports: Hockey, touch, rugby.
Highlight: Being able to travel with Otago hockey around the country to places I wouldn’t normally go to. Aim as sports prefect: To promote competitive behaviour in the sporting environment to enhance wellbeing. Murphy Lister Sports: Hockey, touch, rugby, cricket, rugby/touch refereeing. Highlight: Getting Level 3 touch referee badge. Aim as sports prefect: Start a school squash club. Maniototo Area School Jack Steele Sports: Curling, hockey, rugby. Highlight: Just a few months ago in January, when I competed in the
Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games for curling. It was an amazing experience and representing New Zealand still feels surreal. Aim as sports prefect: I want to get more young players within Maniototo Area School into curling, as it’s an amazing sport with great opportunities to travel the world. Jake Smith
Sports: Luge, hockey.
Highlight: Getting selected to go to South Korea to participate in the Asia FIL Luge School in Gangwon. It was very cool to compare artificial luge to the natural luge we have in Naseby.
Aim as sports prefect: To inspire participation and encourage enthusiasm and positivity in all sporting events. Keisha McFadyen
Sports: Netball, cricket, hockey, futsal,
athletics. Highlights: Otago U16 cricket, third in South Island schools javelin. Aim as sports prefect: To get pupils involved in sports. I want our school to start doing more things together, both junior and senior, and include more sports at lunchtimes that involve the whole school. Olivia Russell Sport: Curling. Highlights: U21 women’s team in 2022 and 2023, first NZ junior mixed doubles championship, represented NZ at the 2024 Youth Winter Olympic games in Gangwon.
Aim as sports prefect: To get at least 70% of our pupils involved in lunchtime sports activities, whether this be games, workout sessions or a running club. I want everyone to feel involved and to help support them in their chosen codes to become a successful athlete.