Otago Boys High School: Blair Soper

Blair Soper
Blair Soper
Blair Soper (17) is planning a career as a delivery boy - but not just any old delivery boy.

He wants to be a highspeed cricket ball delivery boy.

The Otago Boys High School pupil is already a member of the New Zealand Under-19 World Cup Cricket Squad and the Otago Under-19 Cricket team because he can fire cricket balls at batsmen at an average speed of 135kmh.

Blair spends many hours in the cricket nets, fine tuning his deliveries, and has been the school's leading bowler for the past two years.

He says he trains hard because he likes to scare batsmen with his fast balls, and admits when the middle stump goes cartwheeling out of the ground, it's an awesome feeling.

‘‘I live for those moments. They make the hard work worthwhile.''

Blair started playing cricket with his older brother at an early age.

‘‘It's always felt like a game to play with family.

All my father's family played cricket, and even today, I see my team mates as extended family.''

In the winter months, Blair puts cricket on hold and throws himself into his other passion - hockey.

He has been a member of the Otago Boys High School 1st XI since 2006 and a member of the Otago Under-18 hockey team for the past two years.

Despite his passion for hockey, it is cricket which has won the toss.

He hopes to make cricket his career by gaining selection for the Otago Volts and eventually the Black Caps.

Achievements: Otago U15 hockey (2007); Otago U18 hockey (2008-09); 2007 India Hockey Shield winner; 2nd 2008 Rankin Hockey Cup; OBHS 1st XI hockey (2006-09); NZ U19 World Cup cricket squad (2009); Otago U19 cricket (2009); Willows Cricket Club youth representative team tour to Sri Lanka (2009); OBHS 1st XI cricket (2008-09); most improved OBHS cricket player (2008).

Role model: Former Black Cap Shane Bond. ‘‘He pushes young people to strive for their goals.''

Hopes for the future: To forge a career as a professional cricketer.

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