Boys win men's premiership

 

Life and soul put into football programme

Will Johnston

 

New Plymouth Boys High School First XI football players put their life and soul into the programme and were crowned champions of the Taranaki men’s premiership on Saturday. 

The 1-1 draw against FC Western in the final round was enough for top-of-the-table NPBHS to take the title for the first time in the competition’s 116-year history. It also upset Moturoa’s success after winning the last three titles – and four in five years. 

NPBHS coach Mick Curry said most of the players were committed to the last five years of the football programme.

“I’m pleased for all the boys, especially pleased for the Year 13s, as it was their last year at school and last opportunity. What a way to finish and to be sent off. 

“They all had one common dominator: they wanted to do well and make sure people remembered them this year and they certainly had done that,” he said.  

Boys’ High had a strong squad of players who were particularly good technically. The physicality was brought to the team after the number of Year 13 players featured, who could cope with the demands of men’s premier football, different from the past. 

“Usually the boys are quick but don’t necessarily have the physical strength. That made such a difference for us,” he said. 

That strength helped Boys’ High win 14 matches across the 18-week season, with two losses and two draws.  

The team also developed consistency because in previous years, it  would have defaulted club games due to national secondary school commitments, called off this year due to Covid.   

The club title and winning the Super Eight competition made up for the disappointment of not being able to compete in those larger tournaments, Curry said.  

“Our priority was the Super Eight. Once we put that away, the lads were saying ‘we can actually do this’. The Saturday before we went to the Super Eight, we played Moturoa, which was a massive game and beat them 2-0 at Webster [Field].” 

The team then played five games during the Super Eight week and beat Woodleigh back in the club competition after racking up seven games in eight days.  

“We tried to rotate players as best as we could. There were a couple of lads who took injuries. It gives us that opportunity to bring players in and did credit to the team and themselves,” Curry said.  

The centre partnership between captain Ben Wilson and vice-captain, Kieran Deegan was the cornerstone of the team during the season. 

Curry said the six-foot four Deegan and the natural right foot, left foot pairing was a point of difference. Those players also showed leadership in different ways.  

“Kieran was more vocal, whereas Ben led by example on the pitch. They were outstanding.” 

Midfielder Ethan O’Halloran and Oscar Wano were the ‘engine and driving force’ of the team with Wano scoring 21 goals during the season on top of Deegan’s 17. 

There were some challenges during the season, one of them was losing Adam Lawrence due to concussion. Curry said Lawrence held his chin high and chipped in where he could. He helped by turning up to every match day and practice, assisting the coach with warm-ups.  

It was a quick celebration for Curry because the planning is already underway. He is ready to fill the gaps by looking at the players coming through the school and those who will enter the school next year.   

Photo: Central Football Taranaki