Blue Mountain College
Name: Riley Johnstone
Sports: Basketball, football and cricket
Biggest lesson in sport: Having the right amount of confidence so that you have enough to back yourself in situations. Teamwork and communication are needed to be successful as an individual and as a team.
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026: To set an example for the younger students that no matter how big your school is, you can still achieve at a high level if you put in the work. To inspire the future generations not to give up on their sporting dreams and that it’s never too late to try a new sport and put the work in to become really competitive in a couple of years.
Columba College
Name: Shanti Kara
Sports: Basketball, netball and touch.
Biggest lesson in sport: The importance of leadership. Not just being a leader now, but from making my way through teams over the years, I have learnt the importance of having leaders to look up to and how beneficial it is for me to grow my own skill level and confidence, but most of all, to use that confidence to benefit the team.
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026: Now that I’m that leader, I hope to use these learnings for this year to become that supportive and encouraging leader for the younger girls coming up through our senior teams. Senior sport is demanding both physically and mentally and it’s important for them to understand that they have my full support and help to find their confidence and enjoy playing sport itself.
Logan Park High School
Names: Lucy Kahn and Anna Goodin
Sports: Both are involved in adventure racing, triathlon, netball and volleyball
Biggest lesson in sport: We have learned how to take a step back from a competitive viewpoint and simply enjoy ourselves playing the sports we love. It provides the opportunity to have fun working alongside other people and create lasting memories together, which has made sport invaluable to us as busy high school students. We have also learned that it is never too late to try something new and step outside of your comfort zone, seizing the litany of opportunities available and simply just giving things a go.
How they hope to use that lessons as sports leaders for 2026: We hope to encourage a lighthearted approach to sport, encouraging a social and competitive atmosphere, boosting involvement, especially for younger year groups and more timid students. We want to make it known that sport can be fun for everyone, no matter what level you participate at, and that the connections you build with your team-mates as you strive towards a common goal are much more valuable than the overall outcome.
Maniototo Area School
Name: Jae MacDonald
Sports: Hockey, basketball and motocross.
Biggest lesson in sport: I think school sports are important. Playing on a team, especially at school, has taught me life skills like teamwork and leadership. These aren’t just for the game, they help us become better leaders in school too.
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026: My goal this year is to encourage everyone to try a new sport. School sport builds character, makes you resilient and helps you make great friends.
Mount Aspiring College
Name: Caroline Smith
Sports: Netball, basketball, football, volleyball and touch
Biggest lesson in sport: Improvement and success requires consistency, effort and dedication. Sport has taught me the importance of showing up even when it is challenging, to be resilient, and to work with those around me.
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026: I hope to use this learning of commitment to set a strong example for others. I want to encourage people to get involved in sport and stay involved, to create an environment where people feel motivated to keep improving, and to stay engaged in sport. Because sport has taught me so much and offered me so many opportunities, I am motivated to give back as a sports leader by creating opportunities for others to grow, feel included, and enjoy sport. The legacy I hope to leave behind is a ripple effect where others will continue to stay involved in sport and encourage those around them to do the same.
Otago Boys’ High School
Name: Coen Breen
Sports: Rugby and hockey
Biggest lesson in sport: Leadership
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026: I want to use my learnings to help make all boys feel comfortable in their chosen sport and to help boys not be afraid to speak up when they are entering a new team, and are still learning plays or are still trying to get to know their team-mates.
Queen’s High School
Name: Kotomiyo Cowell
Sports: Athletics, cross country, orienteering, netball, volleyball and tri/duathlon
Biggest lesson in sport: Initially, I had the idea in my head that I had to perform perfectly and that results defined my worth. When in reality, sport is so much more than that; it is a great way to make friends, find confidence, learn how to work with others and become active, which is also great for your mental health and hauora.
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026:
As the sports prefect, I will be working with the Queen’s Sports Council to put in place the ideas we have come up with to make sports more accessible at school. For example, we are going to hold lunchtime sporting activities, aiming to create a fun social environment while also getting students active. Hopefully, this will inspire others to try new sports and discover new interests.
Trinity Catholic College
Name: Paige Clark
Sports: Volleyball and netball
Biggest lesson in sport: I’ve learned that mistakes are not failures, but opportunities for growth. It has taught me how to handle pressure when things go wrong, not only the pressure from my surroundings and the intensity of the moment, but also the expectations I place on myself. Sport has helped me develop valuable life skills, including the ability to see the bigger picture rather than focus solely on immediate results. I’ve come to understand the importance of perseverance, patience, and self-reflection, recognising that setbacks are often stepping stones to improvement, and that continuous growth matters in every area of life.
How you hope to use that lesson as a sports leader for 2026: I hope to bring these lessons into my role as a sports leader in 2026 by creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels connected and confident, rather than intimidated by pressure or self-doubt. I want to make a space where people can grow, try new things, and learn together, providing opportunities especially for those who may feel less confident. My goal is to foster resilience, encouragement, and a love of sport, leaving a legacy where all athletes feel empowered to develop and succeed.
