EAST OTAGO HIGH SCHOOL
Addisyn Lawrence
Sports: Touch, futsal, netball, volleyball, handball.
School sport: It means a lot to me. Over the years I have found that playing sports has been the best way for me to let off steam and regather myself, particularly in exam season. Being a part of EOHS sports has enabled me to build on my techniques, skills and leadership abilities in a wide range of areas. Getting the opportunity to go to Koru Games and South Island tournaments over the years, as a player and an umpire, to represent the school has been amazing.
Lessons learnt: Playing a variety of sports has taught me many valuable lessons such as tolerance, confidence and clear communication. Through my sports teams I have found that if one of these areas is weaker than the other, then the team is easier to crumble, so being positive and encouraging of others makes a big difference, especially when coaching a variety of ages (5-18).
Kacey Clark
Sports: Netball, basketball, handball, touch, volleyball.
School sport: My personal values in sport are to stay motivated and stay positive no matter what is happening on the court or field. Being a part of sports has meant that I have been able to build my confidence and push myself to achieve things I didn’t even know I could do.
Lessons learnt: A lesson I learned through sport is that you will play with a wide range of people — some you may not get along with, others may talk down to you or think they’re better than you, but if you keep trying your best and giving it a go, you will always get the most out of it.
Samuel Paton
Sports: Handball, volleyball, netball — and my true passion lies in umpiring netball.
School sport: I believe in the power of sport to connect and unite people. No matter your background or skill level, sport has a way of bringing people together with a shared goal and energy. Whether you’re on the court, on the sidelines, or officiating a game, you’re part of a team. Sport creates bonds, builds confidence, and teaches people how to work together. Umpiring gave me a way to stay involved in the sport I love when playing started to become less of an option for me. It kept me connected to the netball community, and in many ways, made me love the game even more. Being able to give back through umpiring has been incredibly rewarding. It’s helped me understand just how important our umpires are to the sport, not just for keeping the game fair, but also for supporting the players, maintaining the flow of the match, and enhancing the overall experience. A highlight was officiating the third-fourth playoff for year 10s at SISS junior tournament, as well as the Otago year 9 final.
Lessons learnt: One of the biggest lessons is that success doesn’t come from complacency; it comes from grit, consistency, and hard work. Sport has taught me the importance of staying focused, being prepared, and putting in the effort even when it’s tough. Those lessons have stuck with me, both on and off the court.
Paige Walker
Sports: Netball, basketball, volleyball, touch and a bit of handball.
School sport: It helps me develop both physically and mentally. It’s not just about competition or winning, but about learning teamwork, communication, and resilience. Being part of school sport gives me a sense of belonging and teaches me how to manage challenges positively. It also helps me stay active, build confidence and improve my attitude towards goals and hard work.
What has it meant to me to be involved in school sport over the years? I have been a part of EOHS sports since year 7, and over the years, it has become a big part of who I am. Being involved in school sport has helped me grow in confidence and develop strong friendships with people from different year levels. It’s taught me the importance of teamwork, commitment, and keeping a positive attitude even when things don’t go as planned. Playing for EOHS has also given me a sense of pride and belonging, knowing that I’m representing my school and contributing to something bigger than myself. Looking back, school sport has shaped not just my skills as a player, but also my character and the way I approach challenges in and outside of sport.
Lessons learnt: I’ve learnt a lot about teamwork, responsibility and resilience. I’ve realised how important it is to stay committed and support others, even when games or training get tough. One of the biggest lessons has been understanding how my choices outside of sport affect my performance. I’ve learnt that proper nutrition plays a huge role in recovery and preventing injuries. Overall, school sport has taught me to look after myself both physically and mentally, and to recognise how discipline and healthy habits can make a big difference.
OTAGO GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL
Georgina Te Kanawa
Sports: Touch, netball, volleyball, basketball (social).
School sport: It has played a huge part in shaping the person I am today. I’ve made more friends than I can count, and from all over the country and learned several skills from the challenges that have been thrown at me. Playing for New Zealand became a major milestone for me, allowing me to see that if I’m willing to work hard I can achieve great things. I look forward to playing every season of netball or touch, and I am so grateful for all the incredible experiences I have been a part of over the years. When I first started playing sport, I found that I was not patient or co-ordinated enough for dancing — which Mum had signed me up for. I was more competitive and quickly found a love for netball and touch. Over the years I have grown more confident, pickier with my performance and was more willing to work hard on my skills and strengths for my team-mates.
Lessons learnt: I believe that the most valuable lesson I’ve learnt through school sport would be leadership and that it’s not all just about who makes the calls at halftime. It means to be disciplined on and off the court/field — putting in the extra work, to encourage and support your team. To lead not from above, but alongside your team-mates — guiding them to success with you.
Ryleigh Makiiti
Sports: Netball, basketball, volleyball, touch.
School sport: It has been a very valuable aspect of school for me. I’ve found that I have gained knowledge and friendships over the years, and I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s also meant that I’ve been able to travel across New Zealand as a representative for the school, doing what I love most.
Lessons learnt: The biggest lesson I’ve learnt from sport over the years is knowing my worth. Having dealt with many things, staying true to myself and understanding that I am doing what I love, because I want to. Trusting your team-mates and developing connections with everyone involved is so important in the sporting world, giving you the chance to grow.
ST HILDA’S COLLEGIATE
Lola Castle
Sports: Rowing, netball, touch, basketball (social).
School sport: I’ve always valued the opportunity to play sport and see it as a privilege and a great way to meet new people and many of my closest friends were made through sport. As a new border in year 9, getting involved in sport at St Hilda’s helped me settle in, stay busy, and connect with others who shared my love of the game. The friendships, growth, and experiences my teams and I have shared since then are what make school sport so meaningful to me. Being involved in sport at St Hilda’s has been a way to connect with other year groups, learn teamwork, and challenge myself. As a rower for the past four years, I was thrown into the deep end with no idea how demanding the sport would be. The sisterhood within the squad felt like a second family. While winning is rewarding, being part of something bigger than myself has been even more meaningful. The laughter at training, the tears in the boat, and the thrill of competition are what make sport so special and why I’ve continued for so long. Beyond playing, I’ve also given back by coaching a junior netball team for the past three years, which has strengthened my leadership and allowed me to share my love of the game with younger students.
Lessons learnt: Hard work earns rewards. I poured my heart and soul into rowing for three years before I earned any medals. All the games that we won in netball and touch were due to the long hours that the team had put into training and the passion that carried us through the season. I have also learnt that sport doesn’t always need to be serious. The importance of a good team is that everyone gets along and has fun along the way.
