‘
The 2013 season was the highlight of
my high school football career. We had
a very strong team, mainly consisting of
experienced year 13 students, but also
including very promising players from years
12 and 11. We kicked off the season with a
battle against Lindisfarne, who went on to
win the league. With the help of Briean and
Nicholas, two exchange students who had
joined us for the first half of the season, we
gained a 2-2 draw, a promising start to the
season. The team carried on to play a very
strong first half, winning most games and
playing well in the others. Past the halfway
mark, we also started the inter school
exchanges, where we played a very strong
2 all draw against Wairarapa College, and
a 1 all draw against Tawa College. Both
their teams played very good football, so
it’s a credit to the team to have gained
those results. The second half of the season
was a little weaker, but the preparation for
tournament was now underway. Lindisfarne
was well ahead on the league table, so
we started focusing on tournament. As an
addition to the team, coach Scott Saurin
joined Carl Webber to prepare us for the
tournament in Palmerston North. Scott’s new
ideas combined with Carl’s vast experience
with our team led us to perform at new
heights. Our placing in the tournament was
one of the highest achieved by the 1st XI
boys in a long time. Placing 2nd behind
Hutt International Boys’ High, we were
very proud to be the top Hawke’s Bay
High School in the competition (beating
Lindisfarne in the semi-final).
Personally this season was one of the
highlights of my career at Havelock North
High School, and I will never forget how well
we have learned to play together over the
past 5 years.
Frederic Haidekker
Captain 1st XI Football