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The contribution of three long-standing members of the Mahurangi College 1st XI girls football team was acknowledged at a prizegiving dinner recently.
Caitlin Johnson, who played 58 matches since her debut in Year 10 (2019), and Joella Tomkins, who played 79 matches since her debut in Year 9 (2018), both received plaques commemorating their achievements.
Deja Pareta, this year’s captain and also a sports prefect, played 103 games for the college since her debut in Year 8 (2017). She received her playing shirt embroidered and framed to keep, and the school will ‘retire’ the number 19 so no other player will wear that number again
“Effectively, it will always remain Pareta’s even though she is leaving school,” coach Anthony Koers says.
“These girls missed about 25 games due to Covid cutting the 2020 and 2021 seasons short, and yet have still reached the milestones of 50-plus, 75-plus, and 100-plus matches. This year is the first time we have celebrated these achievements.”
Koers says that without Covid, Pareta would have played nearly 130 games, which would be a record and one that would probably never be broken.
All three girls are heading to university next year.
At the team’s end-of-year dinner held on November 2, other achievements were also celebrated.
The college 1st XI finished fourth in the North A2 division and was fifth out of 24 at the winter tournament week in Rotorua, beating teams in higher divisions with a record of seven wins one loss for the week. This was one of the school’s best finishes in the last 25 years.
Koers says although there are seven Year 13 players leaving this year, 12 of the 19-strong squad will be on the field next year.
“But only three will be Year 13, so it will be quite a young team.”
Returning players include Cleo Carmichael, Year 10, who scored 38 goals in 19 appearances this season and received the Most Promising Player award.
“Sophia Mateeva will also be returning. She stepped up as goalkeeper for tournament week and did a fantastic job.”
