Joseph Chalabi & Henry Murfitt Football Rising College football stars
for Christchurch United. Both have been “striving to represent New Zealand on the world stage and are thrilled to say that we play for this country”. Henry has launched his professional football aspirations moving to Barcelona to join a football academy. Both plan to play in the top leagues, with a spot with Arsenal on Henry’s wish- list and Joseph keen to play in the Netherlands league. Henry adds that “they have appreciated the support of Football Master-in-Charge Matt Cortesi and his ambition for the sport” while playing for College.
Their passion for football was ignited at a very young age, with Henry “playing as soon as I could walk” and Joseph “kicking a ball around the local parks from age four”. “Everyone played football in Egypt where I was born, so I was soon involved in the sport here after moving to New Zealand when very young,” Joseph says. “At age nine or 10, I was already quite tall and was moved into the goalkeeper role.” Ollie Gormack Gymnastics College gymnast Ollie Gormack has represented New Zealand at the International Junior Classic in Auckland this year. The Year 13 student has already claimed a national age-group title. In 2023, Ollie also represented New Zealand at the Junior World Gymnastics competition in Turkey, as well as being selected for the Oceania Junior Invitational on the Gold Coast.
Joseph Chalabi and Henry Murfitt are members of the New Zealand team crowned OFC U16 Champion in Tahiti in 2024. Following the title win, the national team is lining up a spot at the U17 World Cup in Qatar next year. Both Year 11 students feature in the College 1st XI, while Henry, a goalkeeper, also plays for Selwyn United FC and Joseph, a goalkeeper who is also eligible for the national squad next year, plays
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