This year 2009, has been extremely busy for all our hockey players. Not only have our boys played for the school at secondary level, we also entered a team in the local men’s competition. There were also two school tournaments, Woolaston and Super 8, and the majority of our players provided the core for Poverty Bay age group teams.

It is pleasing to report that Gisborne Boys’ High School retained its status as the top secondary school team in the region for 2009.

A decision was made at the beginning of the season to limit our secondary grade team to players from Year 11 and below. This allowed for a more challenging competition and allowed our new juniors more game and ‘shine’ time. This decision also allowed our Year 11 players to develop leadership skills.

MEN’S GRADE
GBHS re-entered the local men’s competition in 2009. This team consisted of our senior players and some of the secondary grade team. The decision to play in the men’s grade was made to allow the team to play a higher level of hockey in preparation for tournaments.

We started this league well, winning the seven-a-side opening tournament, due to superior fitness and team play. Subsequent games were also won until we met YMP and LOB A. For some reason, our secondary grade team could not beat these two teams. While it could be said some of our best play was against LOB, it could also be said some of our worst was against YMP. Despite some disappointing results it was really pleasing to see our boys rise to the challenge and hold their own in the men’s grade. We finished third overall and should take pride in this result. Next year we only lose Alex Hyland and Charlie Brown from the side so great things are expected from those remaining. (No pressure!)

WOOLASTON TROPHY
This year the Woolaston Trophy secondary schoolboys’ tournament was held in Stratford, Taranaki. While in Stratford we were extremely lucky and thankful to have the assistance of Winnie Candy, who cooked, cleaned, and cheered to a high standard throughout the entire tournament. Thanks for everything Winnie.
It was expected that 2009 would see the Woolaston in the same form as 2008. Unfortunately, due to perceived distances and costs, a number of teams withdrew before the start date. This left 10 teams in the competition – two pools of 5 with GBHS number one seed.

We were pleased with our pool play. We won all four games convincingly with no goals scored against us. The major challenge was against Heretaunga who we defeated 3-0. These wins allowed us to play second in Pool B – Matamata College. Again we won – but not without conceding our first goal. To the finals we went.
Surprisingly we faced Heretaunga again. It had been expected that we would face Waiopehu College as they had dominated their pool and had been playing extremely well. Unfortunately for Waiopehu, they were defeated in penalty strokes and Heretaunga took their place in the final.
At this point in the tournament, we were tired and ready to return home. Luckily we held it together long enough to win 2-1.

SUPER EIGHT HOCKEY
One of the highlights of 2009 would have to be the Super 8 hockey tournament in early August. This is only our second year in the Super 8 in its current format. The tournament was hosted by Hastings and played in Napier.
We were seeded eighth entering this tournament and as such ended up playing Hamilton, last year’s winner, in the first match. We lost 5-1, a not surprising result but also, not a hiding. There were facets of our game that were very pleasing.

We ended up playing New Plymouth again for fifth and sixth and New Plymouth were determined to make up for their previous over confidence. They took the game away from us and won 5 – 1. This placed us sixth overall – 2 places higher than 2008 and a highly satisfactory result.

It is impossible for a sports team at secondary level to participate fully throughout a full season without consistent  and encouraging support. This support has been supplied to hockey, firstly, by the coach, Mr Patrick Dewes. Secondly, support and encouragement has been provided by the parents of our players.
Thirdly, GBHS itself, in the form of Mark Jefferson (Sports Co-ordinator) who has always shown an interest and made sure our hockey team is supported and provisioned in the best possible manner.