Lifting the Covid veil this year, saw a flurry of activity in 2022 as students returned to the playing arena with gusto and supporters followed closely into the stands. Thousands celebrated a return to regional and national tournaments and even more cheered as a larger number of athletes than normal, headed overseas wearing a silver fern to represent New Zealand on the world stage at Junior World Championships. The high calibre of talented athletes at Westlake Girls was noticed most at the annual Sport Excellence Prize-Giving in October where more than 100 awards were given to over 200 students in recognition for all the hard work and commitment they had shown their sports and school the season. Twenty-two Blues Awards, which recognise national champions and New Zealand under-age representatives, saluted some of the best young athletes in the country.
Double international and the 2022 Sportswoman of the year, Zoe Crawford highlighted this perfectly. Zoe is a member of the New Zealand Junior Swim team and the co-captain of the New Zealand Under 19 Surf Lifesaving team. Her achievements on the international stage were second to one, winning 4x silver medals at the World Youth Championships in Italy, Zoe won a team silver and 3 individual ones. But if that’s not enough, she is also a member of our Premier Hockey team.
The Team of the year award went to the Premier Basketball team, who were unbeaten as they collected the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship trophy for the first time in the school’s history. Holly Williams maintained her commanding position as the school’s top All Rounder, leading the way for Rugby and Touch at school. Year 10 student, Emma-Kaye Schroeder was rewarded for her multi-talents, by receiving the Junior Sportswoman of the year award.
The seven targeted Sports, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rowing, Rugby/Touch and Volleyball continue to be the most popular and talented codes in the school. Basketball and Rugby won their local competitions, Hockey, Volleyball and Touch finished 2nd. Football is determined to get back into the premier grade. Rowing medalled on every stage from Head of Harbour, North Island Secondary Schools to Maadi. Netball is still the largest participatory sport in the school with over 400 students putting on the red dress each week during winter and helping the school to an impressive 20 podium finishes across 22 junior and senior grades at North Harbour Netball.
Now as we move into summer, the juniors have our attention with their focus on Volleyball, Cricket, Athletics, Adventure Racing, Touch and now after qualifying for the 2023 National Championships for the first time, Ki-O-Rahi has become another summer favourite.
