SPORT Football
It was another football season disrupted by Covid-19 in 2021, but it was more of an annoyance than a major issue. However, the 1st XI was most effected, missing the Premier National Tournament for the second year in a row. The other teams completed most of their seasons, with just the final few weeks cancelled because of a lockdown. That aside, it was great to witness an astonishing, history-making season for the school’s top team. College fielded eight teams, comprised of 138 players. The 1st XI team continued to play in the Mainland Schools Premier Competition, with the Ravens, 2nd XI, 14A and 15A teams also playing in the top divisions of their respective Saturday competitions. The 14B, 15B and 3rd XI teams also played in the Saturday competition. In a slight shift of structure, the 14A squad also doubled as the Junior XI, to include boys who were representing clubs in other competitions. They played as the Junior XI in the top junior division of the Wednesday schools competition. The Ravens followed a similar structure, also playing on Wednesdays in Division 1 of the senior grade. The 15A team had a slight structural shift, with College expanding its collaboration with Ferrymead Bays from the previous year. In 2021, the team played in the Canterbury United Development League (CUDL) under the Ferrymead Bays banner and in its colours. It was essentially a College team, but three Ferrymead Bays players were added to the squad. The continued collaboration ensured a sharing of resources needed for the team, and allowed the boys to play in the grade
most suitable and challenging. The partnership also led to Ollie Hawkins, the Ferrymead Development Officer, being appointed as 1st XI coach. The understanding between the two clubs benefited the school and the trio of Ferrymead players who would not have had a team. With the season finishing slightly prematurely, working out where teams finished in their respective leagues was problematic. There were some good performances and commitment, along with some mixed seasons. The 14B team took some time to register its first win. However, when it did, the boys’ joy, jubilation and excitement delivered a priceless sporting moment. The 2nd XI started the season well and was promoted, joining the Ravens team in Division 1 of the 17th Grade. Both teams struggled a bit at this level, with a very good Nomads 17s team dominating the grade. The Ravens did win the Wednesday competition comfortably, beating Hillmorton High School, 4–1, in the final. At the other end of the 17th Grade, the 3rd XI was tracking nicely in its division and was placed 2nd – just two points behind Papanui- Redwood – with a couple of games to go. The 15A team found life in the CUDL division really tough at times and despite good improvements throughout the season, ended up in the lower half of the league. The Junior XI/14A squad finished third in the Wednesday schools competition and, along with the 15B team, had a mid-table finish in the Saturday leagues. The story of the season was the success of the 1st XI. In 2020, the College 1st XI had its most successful season, finishing third in the Mainland Schools Premier
Competition. However, the team went one better in 2021, going unbeaten through the league season and suffering just one loss to St Bede’s College (1–2) in the final. After a good pre-season trip to Dunedin, the 1st XI was unbeaten in 12 games, conceding a mere six goals to top the league. It won the Connectics Shield off Cashmere High School in Round 1, defending it 10 times to retain the shield for the summer. It was the first time this feat was achieved by any school in the current format of the competition, which made the loss in the final a tough pill to swallow. After the final, the 1st XI was awarded the Mainland Referees Jubilee Cup for the team of the year in terms of fair play, performance and sportsmanship. A truly remarkable season. As always, a huge amount of thanks must go to all the players, coaches and managers who have put in a great effort to make the season successful. It was a wet, cold, damp and muddy season at times and the commitment of the whole Christ’s College Football Club to get out there and get stuck in was greatly appreciated. It takes a lot of work to support the College teams and we are very fortunate to have such enthusiastic and passionate people involved in the game. To the large number of College staff and our external coaches, Ollie Hawkins, Kevin Guttman, Ricardo Felitti, Kynan Salt, Jack Lindo, Tom Bailey and Warren Dunick, our sincerest thanks for your time and commitment this year. We find ourselves in a very enviable position to have all that experience and knowledge in our coaching ranks. Football is in a strong space heading into 2022.
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Register 2021 Sport
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