HNHS Magazine 2021 online | Página 52

This year we had three teams and 18 players involved . It was good to be able to have extra players for when the need arose . 2021 saw a number of new players wanting to play for the school with some just wanting to play during our practice times . For the second year running , COVID disrupted the season and this year , the last three rounds were not played so clear placings were not able to be established . The HBSS singles and Double competitions were initially postponed and then cancelled , which was a pity as the students always enjoyed this competition . I would also like to thank Mr Mark Baker who has helped out at practices as well as transporting teams throughout the season .

Boys B : Robin Nguyen ( C ), Albert van Niekerk , Alex Hing , Will Knight .

Because of the small number of teams in the senior grades in Hawke ’ s Bay , the A & B grades were combined to ensure a competitive nature to the competition for these grades . However , this meant that the boys had some very hard games but they did themselves proud . They won three games and drew one out of the nine games played . This meant that they were playing off for the sixth – tenth spot in the competition . As this is Robin ’ s last year at Havelock North High School , I would like to take the opportunity to thank him for his contribution and dedication to badminton over the past five years .

Boys C : Oliver Roberts ( C ), Harrison McGinniss , Dylon van Niekerk , Seong Joe , Tom Fowler .

The boys enjoyed a very successful season , albeit it being cut short , winning five out of the eight games played . At the time COVID lockdown was upon us , the team was playing for a sport in the top five teams in Hawke ’ s Bay . I would like to acknowledge Leo Wiltshire ’ s contribution to the sport this year . He started the season but the family moved out of Hawke ’ s Bay .

Boys D : Sunny Wang ( C ), Charles Zhang , Cale Knight , Benjamin Fowler , Muhad Ahmmed , Thomas Cain , Alec Hales .

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D grade had five new players this year but unfortunately , this meant that Havelock North did not have enough players to enter two teams into this grade so players were rostered for games when played away . I would like to thank the boys for attending practices each week . The skills and playing with partners could certainly be seen , particularly in the second half of the competition where members started winning their games .

Tawa College Exchange

As part of our annual sports exchange , it was Havelock North ’ s privilege to host Tawa College . Usually , only the top badminton teams are involved and unless a HNHS had a billet , many students miss out seeing top players in action . I decided to allow the junior players to partake in the exchange by scoring . This would also go towards their service aspect of the Junior Diploma . Marcus Gee was invited to play for the exchange in order to ensure that we could field a full team due to recent illness .

Tawa had travelled a long way just to play one game , which is the norm , so it was decided that the teams would play the best of three games to 21 . As there was time to spare , the schools played a round robin of mixed doubles – one member from each school . The scores of these games were not recorded , and therefore , did not go towards points for exchange . However , the students enjoyed the morning and there were some very tired players .

In the end , Tawa won both the boys and girls matches 4 - 2 . The girls had to compete against the Wellington number one . Rani Williams won her singles in a three setter and then partnered with Holly Evans to win their doubles . Meanwhile , Albert and Marcus both won their singles , but came up short in their doubles , losing a narrow three setter .

Mrs Lynette Baker , Coach