SPORT Football
MiC/Manager: Matt Cortesi The 2023 football season was one of the wettest seasons in recent memory. It meant interruptions, irregular training, venue shifts, and possibly the boggiest Christ’s College grounds in some time. It also made the season seem very long. Nonetheless, everyone managed to adapt, and credit should go to all the players, coaches, managers, and supporters for their enthusiasm and perseverance. As the team reports show, that attitude has provided many highlights in a season bookended by a development training session with the New Zealand Football A-Licence coaches and an amazing tour to the United States and Canada. On tour, 28 boys and four staff explored Boston, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Washington, Virginia, and New York. Eight different schools
– also all part of the International Boys’ School Coalition – warmly hosted the group. The highlights included attending NFL and MLB games, touring the CN Tower in Toronto, a boat trip under Niagara Falls, and exploring Washington’s monuments. However, it was the kindness of the host schools’ staff, students, and families – along with the 13 football games – that defined the tour. With a 9–2–2 record across the tour squad, College not only performed well, but also ensured an unforgettable experience. Sincere thanks to Ollie Hawkins, Tom Bailey, Ren Tamayo, Lachie McIsaac, and Warren Dunick for their knowledge, expertise, and efforts in helping to coach our teams, and to the College staff for their great work and commitment as managers and coaches this year. Special mention needs to be made of two coaches, Old Boys Kynan Salt and Finbar
Gallaway, who are leaving us this year to take up their professional careers elsewhere in the country. Both have had a significant impact on Christ’s College football, having played 50- plus games each for the 1st XI and coaching for the past few years. It has been special to see these two young men grow, develop, and become fine coaches. We wish Kynan and Finbar the best for their futures. 1ST XI It was an up and down season for the 1st XI. Some excellent results and moments were mixed with periods when the team made things difficult for itself. With 14 teams, the Mainland Premier School Competition had six rounds of pool play, followed by a top-eight and bottom-six competition. As a result, it was important that the 1st XI had a good start to the season. A resounding 13–0 victory against
237
Register 2023 Sport
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting