Wairarapa College Football

04/09/2026

Tournament Day 5

And that’s a wrap!! 6am wake up for 9am kick off on last day of tournament is challenging at best. We looked tired, but I asked for one final effort today against Havelock North who we battled away with in pool play on Tuesday.

The conditions were as bad as I’ve been in, so windy, cold and wet. It was hard to see at times and the football wasn’t pretty. We worked hard into the wind, basically under pressure in our half entirely but at 1 nil down at half time, I was still very confident.

We probably put together 20 minutes of the best football we have played all year at the start of the second half. Keeping the ball, staying patient in possession, it had to come and one become four very quickly.

4 1 was a great final game result and it was time to hit the road. Quick change into dry clothes at Silverstream, then on our way.

MVP Luca Howley

It’s been a huge week. Very tough tournament in difficult conditions. The food and accomodation is awesome for a group and the parental support on and off the field is first class.

Best of luck to the senior boys who move on, Rory, Braith, Theo, Campbell, Bryn and Jayden, I do hope you continue to play and enjoy your football.

Massive thanks to Justin, the good guy that is the backbone of the team. He is only enthusiastic and positive, diligent and humble, he has been the calm rock that has got me through the season in one piece.

The boys should sleep for couple days and I look forward to checking off that attendance Monday morning period 1. 🤦‍♂️

Coach

04/09/2026

We finished our final game of the tournament with a great win against St Matthew’s! 💪🔥2-0
We also celebrated a very special farewell to our captain, Rose Kawana, as she played her final game for Wairarapa College. ❤️
Rose, thank you for your incredible service, leadership and commitment to our team. You have been an important part of our football whānau, and we are so proud of everything you have contributed.
We wish you all the very best as you head into your next chapter. Arohanui Rose! 💚

03/09/2026

Tournament Day 4

We mixed things up and went in to see our netball girls play this morning. Cheering them on to a semi final win, this put us in good spirits as we headed back to Petone for our 1.30pm kick off.

Another windy Wellington day, as it has been all week and another Wellington College team to battle. Alway hard work in the conditions but we played we into the wind first half, which set us up for the down wind shift. Quick thinking from Carlos on a free kick to Luca, who played Jayden in to score our goal which proved enough to take the win.

MVP William Riddell

That’s three wins three losses for the week. All in all, a brave effort given the quality on display here. Final game 9am tomorrow v Havelock North for 13th/14th. Back to the pools tonight, then it’s early to bed and 6am wake up for breaky. Boys have packed up and cleaned rooms already to save the morning chaos.

Current plans are back to Silverstream after game to change and load up for home. Lunch at Silverstream Maccas, then on the road but we will keep you posted tomorrow.

Thanks to our Principal, Mr White for coming down to support today, was great for the team to get a win. All the parent helpers and support, can’t say enough.

Photos today of us at the netball. Game time. The food of course, dinner was amazing and the craziness that is in front of me now at the pools.

It’s been a blast, boys have been superb, they will sleep for days, as will one extremely fatigued coach that I know. ⚽️ 🤪

Coach

02/09/2026

Tournament Day 3

Two very tough games today against physical sides that combined with the Wellington winds, totally battered us during the day.

We played Avondale College, a big team who really took it to us. We held our own and keeping the ball in possession well, Luca scored to put us ahead. Into the second half, they got one back but with the wind at our backs, Jayden headed us the winner on the end of a well directed floating corner.

MVP Rory Faulkner

Lunch tasted that bit sweeter before we had to count who wasn’t injured to take the field this arvo. The list was long and we ended up with just one fit sub and five injuries. Despite a great goal to Jackson Stoneley, we made a critical error that proved costly and went down 2 1.

MVP Zavier Webster

Currently the boys are enjoying the pools and sauna, hoping it might heal a few sore bodies for tomorrow. Game at Petone 1.30pm.

Kirsty is at the laundromat doing the kit, cheers. Chocky milk crew, cheers. Supporters, awesome as always.

Two days to go, the fuel light is on and the boys are running on fumes but keep working hard and enjoying themselves!!

Coach

01/09/2026

Tournament Day 2

I’ve been coming to tournaments around North Island for a long time, but this week would be the best quality teams at the top end I’ve seen. It’s a battle for us for sure.

We played much better this morning, brought some much needed intensity and effort v Welly Coll but couldn’t quite match their skill and speed on the turf losing 3 nil.

We then backed up against Havelock North who had a bye this morning, so were coming in fresh. We had picked up some niggles, so changed up our starting team and introduced fresh legs. Year 9 student, William Riddell started at the back, we shuffled the midfield with Carlos Shailer captaining the team, as Rory rested an injury to start on the bench.

This game was all about our support. We had a heap of whanau, friends, teachers, girlfriends and the school netball team watching us and I think that was a huge boost to the lads.

Keeping up the fight all game, getting ahead with an expert set piece from Rory and then hanging on for the win 1 nil.

Real confidence boost moving forward.
10.15am game v Avondale College then back up in the afternoon but don’t know time or place until placings are confirmed.

Huge shout out to the girls and Kath/Tessa for bringing them to support and to the Wing whanau who have gifted WaiCol football this cool bench for the subs to sit on the sideline.

A good day, tiring day, boys are buzzing, just need some calm for sleep tonight.

Coach

31/08/2026

Tournament Day 1

Sun shining in Wellington, great food all day and awesome support from parents here watching and supporting for the week. Huge thanks to Kirsty and Marz for washing the kit today and to Marz for the chocolate milk for the boys. Everything off the field was amazing!

The ⚽️ not so much. We got outplayed and soundly beaten 4 nil by Rotatuna this morning. Not the best start but plenty to work on I guess. It was good to get everyone on the field for game one and calm those nerves.

Tomorrow it’s two games, playing Welly Coll and Havelock North, who both are unbeaten on day one. The tournament is clearly a step up in ability from the last few years with many strong teams, so let’s see how we respond.

Big day tomorrow, big challenge 11.30am and 3.15pm. Regardless of results, we are looking for a better team performance.

Supper was this beautiful football banana cake made by Steph Burling. Very much enjoyed by the boys.

Coach

30/08/2026

Boys have checked in at Silverstream Retreat. Roast chicken and cheesecake was excellent start to the week. Early night, 6am wake up for early morning start. Let’s go…

30/08/2026

Our girls have arrived safe and sound in Napier and are enjoying their first dinner together as a team. They’re fuelling their bodies, enjoying each other’s company and getting ready for their first game tomorrow against Karamu High school, good luck girls ⚽️

26/08/2026

Today we celebrated Makayla O’Hara’s 50th game for the Wairarapa College First XI Football Team! ⚽️💙
We are so incredibly proud of your ongoing commitment, dedication and contribution to our team, Makayla. What an amazing milestone! 🥳👏

23/08/2026