Last Friday night Westlake Boys celebrated the highlight of its annual sporting calendar with the 2015 Sports Awards Dinner, kindly sponsored this year by SAS Sport. Over 400 sportsmen, their parents and staff acknowledged the many outstanding endeavours of Westlake’s sporting individuals, teams, their coaches and team managers.
One of the many other highlights of the evening was an inspiring address by special guest Simon Rea, son of long-serving staff member and old boy, Mr Peter Rea. Simon is a former New Zealand Davis Cup representative and is currently a professional tennis coach for Tennis Australia.
2015 has been a stellar year for Westlake Sport with 11 podium spots achieved at various national championship tournaments. Six of these podium spots are “National Champion” positions (Cross Country, Dragon Boating Hockey, Squash, Swimming and Table Tennis), three are national runners-up (Basketball, Basketball 3 x 3 and Chess) and two are national third placings (Badminton and Volleyball).
Sport at Westlake Boys continues to thrive with 1,600 students competing against the best in the region and around New Zealand. Our ranks of student coaches now numbers close to 100 students all of whom provide valuable coaching support to various teams across the school’s sports programmes.
In addition to our band of student coaches, our young sportsmen are fortunate to benefit from the experience and expertise volunteered by a large number of dedicated and generous staff coaches. We are proud of the level of passion displayed toward Westlake Sport by all these people and the values displayed for our young men to emulate on and off the field. This year’s staff awards were presented to Tracey Houzet (swimming), Brad Coetzee (cricket), Bryan Mackle (rugby), James McIntyre (touch) and Nic Sullivan (basketball). Former Sports Director Rob Taylor was also acknowledged for the considerable contribution he made to Westlake Sport during his decade of service at the school.
The evening’s proceedings progressed as follows:
This year, former Assistant Head of PE and newly appointed Academy of Sports Director Mr Andrew McBride hosted his first Sports Awards Dinner. He thanked students and their parents for making 2015 such an inspiring and enjoyable year and spoke of the legacy that today’s sportsmen create for the thousands of students who will eventually wear their shirt, play in their position and step onto their pitch or court. With more national championships still to come in December, he encouraged Westlake sportsmen to use the Sports Awards Dinner as motivation and inspiration to aim for the highest sporting achievements. Mr McBride reminded the boys to always remember that failure isn’t fatal and winning isn’t permanent and that, ultimately, long after they lose their pace, power, strength and touch, it is attitude and hard work that makes winners in the long run.
The awards section of the evening commenced with the captains of the New Zealand title winning teams collecting their respective trophies for the final time and Westlake Jubilee Trophy replicas were handed out to the students who represented New Zealand at a World Championship this year.
2015 Sports Captain Louis Abplanalp delivered his final, motivational speech to his fellow sportsmen. He recalled the significant common passion in sports which enabled him and so many of his Westlake friends to find their feet as they began to shape their Westlake experience. He felt that some of the strongest bonds have been created through sharing experiences on the sports field, whether it be pain, joy or pride. Westlake’s sporting code of conduct teaches our boys the values of commitment, fair play, hard work, punctuality, pride in presentation, and respect for others and, last but not least, to never give up. Louis felt that this code has transcended into the everyday lives of Westlakers as through our sport we have learned how to deal with defeat and to remain humble in victory. We have come to value hard work and sacrifice through early mornings and gruelling trainings. This work ethic is then carried into the classroom and when forced with an academic challenge we can apply the same principles to overcome it.
The annual individual sports awards were handed out for each sport with one special trophy addition, the Bev Russell Memorial Trophy in recognition to our Top Student Coach. This new trophy is named after much loved Westlake teacher – Mrs. Beverly Russell who sadly passed away earlier this year. Bev’s son, Keegan Russell handed the special trophy to Jake McRea who has taken Basketball teams for three years, developing some exceptional relationships with both students and parents.
After a delicious buffet dinner it was time for the special guest of the evening, international renowned tennis coach Mr Simon Rea, who was introduced by his father, our own Mr Peter Rea.
Simon, an Auckland Grammar old boy, who quipped he had permission to be on Westlake Boys “turf” for one evening only, recited several personal experiences through his journey as a youth and men’s New Zealand tennis representative and the many sacrifices and choices he has had to make along his journey so far. The common thread throughout his riveting and memorable presentation was a message that can be applied to anything we do in life –Simon believes that SUCCESS is determined by a few factors 1) finding your passion; 2) believing you can be the best; 3) working extremely hard to achieve your dreams and, lastly and most importantly, 4) NEVER GIVING UP. In Simon’s view, any person who can go about their daily lives with this “modus operandi” can be considered successful.
Desserts were swiftly delivered to the tables by the Distance Running group who took care of the evenings’ set up, waiting and clearing tasks to fundraise for their Trip to South Africa in 2016. The fundraising raffle draw with the help of Westlake leavers Wesley Sleep and Ryan Dubell was the perfect moment to farewell the pair who travel back to South Africa after a successful season playing for the 1st XI Cricket, Premier Rugby League and 1st XI Hockey teams.
Once all individual awards, colours and special trophies of the evening were presented, the most prestigious award of the night was announced. The stage was filled for one more time for the announcement of the winner of the Arblaster Family Cup for the 2015 Westlake Sportsman of the Year. This year’s nominees (details in notes below) included Oscar Guo (Badminton), Keegan Russell (Hockey and Cricket), Mitchell Ottow (Hockey), Benji Edwards (Hockey), Rafa Yam (Squash), Victor Ma (Table Tennis), Will O’Donnell (Cricket) and Matt Freeman (Basketball). It was Matt Freeman, International 3 v 3 World Champion who took out the top prize of the evening deservedly earning him the title of 2015 Westlake Boys Sportsman of the Year.
Headmaster Mr Ferguson concluded the formalities of a successful and enjoyable evening. Special thanks to SAS Sports for their sponsorship of the Westlake Boys Awards Dinner, to Fuji Xerox for the printing of the Sports Awards Programme booklet and to all those who attended this memorable occasion.
2015 Sports Awards Dinner – Special Awards Summary (notes as presented on the evening)
Arblaster Family Cup – Sportsman of the Year – Matthew Freeman
The Arblaster Family Cup for Sportsman of the Year is named after the family of Westlakers Mattson (1986-90) and Brady (1988-92), who helped and supported the school. Brady has assisted Westlake’s 1st XI as a physiotherapist for many years and currently serves on the Westlakers Committee.
Matt finished runner-up with the Premier Basketball Team at National Tournament and was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament. He is part of the New Zealand Breakers Development Squad, a Junior Tall Blacks player, Senior Tall Blacks Trialist, University of Oklahoma Basketball Scholarship recipient and U18 World 3V3 Champion.
Brett Hart Trophy – Team of the Year – 1st XI Hockey
Westlaker Brett Hart (1961-65) played 1st XV Rugby, 1st XI cricket (2 years) and Premier Basketball (3 years). He came back to teach in 1975 and began an illustrious career which included HOD of Physical Education for 14 years, 4th Form Dean for 15 years and 6th Form Dean for 6 years. He also coached Basketball, Rugby and Athletics (16, 14, 20 years respectively) and was TIC swimming for 30 years. This trophy is a fitting tribute to a man who was a true team player.
When you have x6 National Champions, choosing a team of the year isn’t always an easy task. However, one team has stood out against their peers with a 87% win ratio this year; 31 games played and 27 wins; 149 goals scored and 13 conceded. It’s been a record breaking year for an outstanding group of young men.
Alf Butt Trophy – for tenacity and determination on the Sports Field – Keegan Russell
Alf Butt was a staff member for 25 years from 1961-1986. Ex-Navy, he was the first Chief Instructor of NZ Combined Services PE Training Course. Alf coached the 1st XV for 19 years from 1961, in the Auckland Central A Grade, but was not lucky enough to win a championship. The Fitness Centre at the school was named after him.
Tenacity and determination are engrained in Keegan Russell. His commitment to training across two different sports is exceptional and he has an impressive haul of trophies to show for it: six in Hockey, two in Cricket and hopefully a National Cricket title to come. Keegan has also played both Rep Hockey and Cricket this year for New Zealand and North Harbour. To be at this level in one sport is admirable, to be at this level in two is astounding.
Colin Pascoe Cup, presented to a student who has shown outstanding attitude and sportsmanship – Mitchell Ottow
Mr Pascoe was Headmaster from 1985-1995 and coached 7th Grade Rugby. Westlake Boys values and high standards are of utmost importance. 2015 winner of the Colin Pascoe Trophy Mitchell Ottow exemplifies outstanding attitude and sportsmanship. He is a leader, a captain, a national title winner but most importantly a person who puts the team before himself. Mitchell’s recovery from a broken neck last year to national champion winning captain this year should be an inspiration to all of us.
Simon Bryan Shield for Outstanding Achievement – Oscar Guo
Simon Bryan (WBHS 1986-1988) entered 6th Form from Napier Boys High School. He gained his sporting colours in Athletics in 1988, the year he won the javelin title at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships and was Captain of the 1st XV. He still holds the school record for the javelin.
Oscar Guo is currently competing in Peru in the U19 World Championships. The reason Oscar is winning the Outstanding Achievement Award is that he became the 2015 Senior Open Winner crowning him the Men’s Badminton Champion of New Zealand – beating his coach in the final. To be the Senior New Zealand Champion at any age is a great achievement, the fact that Oscar is 14 years old makes it even more amazing.
