Gisborne Boys’ High School has three senior teams in the local men’s league, first, second and third divisions. Junior students when not selected for any of the senior teams, participate in the Saturday morning Super League competition.
There is also a seeded schools competition on Wednesday afternoon in which all students are welcome to join. This competition is divided into two sections and in 2009 our First XI won defeated Lytton High School 5-0 to win the top section.
Gisborne Boys’ High School has a proud history of involvement in local and interschool competitions since 1956. The first time a First XI team was selected was in 1956 when it played a selection from the senior men’s B competition and won 5-2. From 1957 to 1959 the First XI won the B grade competition three times in succession and as a result was promoted to the A grade in 1960. By now the school team was arguably one of the best secondary school teams in New Zealand, with wins of 11-0 against Napier and 4-3 against a Manawatu under 18 year rep team.
Since 1960 Gisborne Boys’ High school’s First XI has been part of the local Poverty Bay men’s A grade (later called the Eastern League) competition. Highlights being:
1967 3rd place
1969 5th place
1970 5th place
1972 5th place
1975 2nd place
1978 1st place We won the competition and Won B section 7-a-side
1979 3rd place
1982 3rd place, 3rd Bailey Cup knockout competition, won A section 7-a-side
1983 4th place
1984 3rd place
1985 6th place
1986 2nd Bailey Cup
1988 2nd Bailey Cup
The school also has a proud record in inter-school fixtures, with games against Napier Boys’ High, Hastings Boys’ High, Rotorua High, Lytton High, Palmerston North High, Hamilton Boys’ High, Kelston High and Sacred Heart High, occurring on a regular basis until the creation of the Super 8 Competition.
In 1967 we were invited to one of the first National Secondary School’s Football tournaments in Christchurch, with some of the best schools in the country. While never managing great success in the premier tournaments that followed, we did manage to win 2 satellite tournaments, in Palmerston North (1986) and Gisborne (1980) and 2nd place Palmerston North, after a playoff (1979)
The 1990 First XI even managed an overseas tour to play a selection of Brisbane schools, our first and last OE.
The 2009 Season
The First XI team of Brad Reynolds (Capt.), Brad Hall, John Jones, Bowen Radburn, Rasmus Aabling, Tavita Niania-Tai, Jarred MacMillian, Lennart Holzhutter, Clinton Norman, Stefan Faber, Matt Wilkes, Matt Adams, Phillip Ludwig, Nathan Hobrough, Mitchell Stuart-Hill and Storm Hitaua have continued the schools tradition of competing in the top division of the local men’s football league.
While not as successful as in previous years they remained competitive throughout the season and caused a major upset by beating the league leaders Marist in a double header league/cup game to progress to the semi final of the knockout cup.
Secondary School's Satellite Tournament: Hamilton
Last week the first X1 played 9 games of football in 5 days. The team ended up finishing 10th out of 24 teams. All 15 players in the squad gave 100 percent at all times and it was a big disappointment not to make the quarter finals. The second and third team players that came in to help the squad performed with great heart. A particular thank you to Nathan Holbrough, Storm Hotai, and Philip Ludwig.
MATCH 1
Beat One Tree Hill from Auckland 1-0.
This was a battle against a technically gifted side in windy and rainy conditions. Players were disciplined and kept their shape well.
MATCH 2
Drew 3-3 with St Peters, Cambridge
Due to adverse weather conditions the game was moved to St Peters, Cambridge. Outstanding facilities and hospitality.
MATCH 3
Lost 2-1 to the eventual tournament winners Takapuna grammar from Auckland.
We approached this game with caution and adopted counter attacking tactics as this team had won their first two games 4-0.
MATCH 4
Beat Otumoetai college 3 -1.
An excellent performance after the mornings defeat. This win put us in a great position to make the quarter finals and the top 8.
MATCH 5
Lost 2-0 to Mount Maunganui College.
Not a great success.
MATCH 6
Beat Wanganui 3-1
The boys showed great spirit to bounce back from the big disappointment of not making the top 8.
MATCH 7
Beat Scotts College of Wellington 4-3 on penalties.
Showed great courage to come from 2-0 behind to come back to 2-2 and then win on penalties.
MATCH 8 – final of middle 8
Lost 1-0 to St Peters, Cambridge.
With a depleted squad through injury, and a suspended German the boys battled hard but conceded a goal in the last five minutes. This meant we finished 10th out of 24 teams in the tournament.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Voted by opposition coaches and managers, Clinton Norman
Top Goal Scorer – Lennart Holzutter 8 goals