Huntley stepped in to take on the coaching role until he had to leave for another commitment and Lachie McIsaac took over for the last few games. When you mix positive ‘can- do’ coaches with a positive ‘can-do’ team, great things can happen. The team faced horrendous weather, ground closures, and difficult calls but never lost sight of its goal – becoming the division champion. The team enjoyed a significant mid-season winning streak until a shock penalty in a crucial late-season match played a pivotal role in the outcome of the season. Despite falling short of the goal, the team took pride in its accomplishments, winning games by good margins and fighting hard in closely contested ones. The 3rd XI showcased the power of embracing differences to perform at its best, ensuring a very successful season for all involved. U15A The 15A team’s season was marked by substantial growth, both as individual players and as a cohesive unit. Comprising Years 10–11 students under coach Warren Dunick’s guidance, the team competed in Division 2 of the 15th Grade. A string of impressive results in the opening weeks of the season cemented College as one of the promising teams in the competition. Most notably, the 5–1 win against Christchurch Boys’ High School, a 6–4 win against Cashmere Technical, and a tough 4–5 loss against Hurunui Rangers highlighted the team’s attacking prowess and potential. The match of the season was a dominant 7–0 win against Cashmere Technical. From the first whistle, the boys played with incredible energy and intent to create goal-scoring opportunities. Excellent combination play catching the opposition defence off guard on numerous occasions and the deadly striking by Tasman Daly and Louis Fogarty were the hallmarks of the season. However, as the season progressed, prolonged sickness, and a string of injuries posed a difficult disruption
to the team’s momentum. Despite a string of losses during this period, 15A consistently approached each match with great enthusiasm. Players embraced the opportunity to play in different positions, forced by necessity to do things differently. Regardless of results, the boys thoroughly enjoyed their football, representing themselves and College with pride. U15B The 15B team had a solid season, defined by considerable improvement. Despite a few early losses, the team displayed camaraderie and determination, working towards a convincing win over St Bede’s College before the league reset for the second half of the season. The team began the new league with a strong 7–2 win over Christchurch Boys’ High School. The poor weather in the middle patch of the season posed a few challenges, but the interruptions did not impede the team’s momentum as players continued to meet weekly for team runs and the occasional classroom strategy session. When the weather allowed, the team got back on the pitch and began to play its best football. This included a run of 11–1, 9–4, and 2–1 wins. The players certainly found their form, displaying good possession- based football, defensive solidity, and strong finishes at the goal. This improvement propelled the team to a commendable 2nd in the league. To top off this success, 15B received the Carville Stewart Trophy for team spirit and sportsmanship at the football prize-giving. This award was well deserved. Not only was the team unrecognisable from the start of the season but the players brought a positive and encouraging attitude to every training session and game, no matter the circumstances. U14A The 14A team’s season had a positive yet somewhat disjointed start as the boys adapted to playing together for the first time. Grading games yielded wins, draws, and close losses, showcasing their skills and potential within the league. Despite the
positive start to the season proper, the inability to be able to build consistency resulted in several games being lost from winnable positions where the team would push and push, only to slip up in the final 10 minutes. Despite this, the 14A team managed to play some enterprising and attractive football, carving out some impressive results against some strong competition. The 4–0 win against eventual winner Halswell United, and the 4–6 loss against the same side later in the season stand out as highlights, particularly given that College scored eight of the 12 goals that team conceded all year. Several individual highlights included Alex Lascelles scoring two hat-tricks, Oscar Singleton scoring four goals in 20 minutes in an outstanding performance, James Parker scoring multiple top-corner goals from outside the box, and Max Wilkinson putting his body on the line every game, getting up from each challenge with a huge grin on his face. All reflect the positive team attitude and effort throughout the season. U14B The 14B team comprised a mix of experienced and novice Year 9 players who were relatively unfamiliar with one another. Over nine competition games, the team secured five wins and suffered four losses, concluding the season with a total of 32 goals scored. Casper Talbot led the team in scoring nine goals, followed by Toby Sharr with eight. The team finished a respectable 5th in the division. Notable moments included the first victory against Parklands, winning 2–1 with all goals coming from their own team. After a few tough grading games, this result left the team ecstatic and gave the players a renewed sense of determination. Another highlight was the dominant 8–0 victory over St Bede’s College where training came together for a satisfying series of plays. This highlights the team’s collective improvement and transition from individual play to a more coordinated, team-based approach.
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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