Otago Girls’ High School
Eva Gardner
Sports: Basketball, netball, volleyball.
Lessons: Through playing multiple sports, I have learned that sport is all about connection, teamwork and communication. I thrive in a team environment and love working alongside my team-mates to achieve a common goal. One of my biggest learnings has been the importance of clear and precise communication, especially under pressure, to keep the team focused and confident without causing confusion.
Role model: I hope to use my strong communication skills and passion for teamwork to support and inspire those around me. I want to help create a positive and connected team culture where everyone feels included and motivated. By leading with confidence and clarity, I aim to guide my peers to perform at their best while staying focused on shared goals and enjoying the game together.
Kaikorai Valley College
Azariah Hughes
Sports: Rugby, netball, rugby league, volleyball, handball, futsal.
Lessons: The importance of leadership and being a role model. I have learnt how to lead by example and show younger players how to work as a team.
Role model: I hope my legacy is inspiring younger students to get involved in lots of sports, to work hard and take every opportunity. I also want to give back by coaching and umpiring junior teams and sharing the skills and knowledge I have gained from being in rep teams.
John McGlashan College
Lachie Davies
Lessons: Sport has been a huge part of my life and has helped shape who I am both on and off the field. Each sport has taught me valuable lessons that I carry into my role as a sports leader. The biggest thing I have learned through sport is the importance of teamwork and leadership. Being part of different teams has shown me how important communication, trust and supporting others are when working towards a common goal. Sport has also helped me build confidence, resilience and the ability to stay positive during challenges.
Role model: I hope to use these skills to encourage greater participation in sport across the school and help create an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. I want to lead by example, whether that’s through my attitude, work ethic or willingness to help others. The legacy I hope to leave is one where students feel inspired to get involved, challenge themselves and enjoy the opportunities that school sport provides. I want to help strengthen our sporting culture and ensure that sport continues to be a positive and enjoyable experience for all students.
Taieri College
Harper Conley
Lessons: Responsibility on and off the court and pitch. Throughout my years at Taieri College, I have been given so many opportunities to play sport, and as I have got older and higher up in the school, I have been given opportunities to give back to the school by coaching and reffing the sport that I love playing myself. Responsibility has come from making sure I am there to help coach and guide the younger athletes at school, being there for every practice and reffing whenever is possible to help them get a better understanding of the sport they like playing too.
Role model: At the end of the year, I will have hoped to pass on the responsibility to the new year 12 and year 11 students coming up the ranks at school to become leaders themselves. Hopefully to give them an understanding of how much the school has done for us and how we can give back by supporting and teaching the younger athletes of Taieri College.
Dunstan High School
Avie Morgan
Sports: Netball and softball.
Lessons: Striving to grow not only as a player, but also a leader. As captain of the Dunstan senior A netball team for 2026, this mindset has developed my understanding that effective leadership relies on being supportive and approachable and being a player my team-mates can look to on and off court.
Role model: I want to create an environment where students feel comfortable to share ideas they have about how to improve sports at Dunstan. Whether this is through increasing participation, or introducing new initiatives, I want students to feel empowered to contribute to the future of sport at our school.
Jake Mullally
Sports: Rugby, hockey, softball, golf.
Lessons: Leadership is important, but being a reliable, hard-working team player is just as vital. Being captain of the First XV rugby and First XI hockey teams has been a massive privilege that has taught me to stay calm under pressure, unite everyone toward a common goal and support my peers through both wins and challenges. As a coach of the Second XI hockey team, I have had to lead by example and be a positive role model for my players.
Role model: It is important to lead by example, both on and off the field, and encourage everyone to give everything their best shot. I like how students don’t have to specialise in a sport but rather are encouraged to play several sports over the year at the highest level they can. I hope to leave behind an environment where students enjoy their sport, have a go at everything, and have their say on what they would like the sport to look like at the school.
Bayfield High School
Sports: Rock climbing, squash, football, volleyball.
Lessons: Just ‘‘sending it’’ makes things so much more fun. Just do it even if you aren’t that good.
Role model: I hope to get more participation from everyone at Bayfield in sports and inter-house through have-a-go days and other fun activities. Also maybe purchasing a volleyball net for our inner field to encourage more participation.
Megan Waayer
Sports: Football, volleyball.
Lessons: One of the biggest lessons I have learnt through sport is resilience. Sport has taught me the importance of persevering through challenges and viewing setbacks as an opportunity for growth.
Role model: I hope to use this learning to foster a positive sporting environment that encourages students to persevere and embrace the challenges they may face as an opportunity for personal growth. I hope to leave a legacy where students feel supported and empowered to participate in sporting activities and strive to achieve their full potential.
Alexander Hattrell
Sport: Rowing.
Lessons: Everything becomes easier if you just show up consistently.
Role model: I think this transfers to a lot of things and I hope that I can share this learning through my prefect role.
