Otumoetai College paid tribute to the school's outstanding sporting talent at its annual awards night held last week, with 260 students rewarded for excellent results and high performances in an extensive range of sports.
James Gilling won the Sports Boy award after an amazing year of success.
He was a member of the senior A boys' basketball team and attended the nationals in Nelson, and was also in the school's skiing team. In athletics, he competed well at the Bay of Plenty Secondary Schools in the shot put and came second in the BOP Schools doubles at tennis.
But in volleyball, he really made his mark. He was a key member of the school's senior A team that came fourth in the Bay and fifth at the nationals. James was selected in the BOP under-19 team that placed second and the Tauranga men's team that came third at the club nationals.
In beach volleyball, he came fifth at the Beach Volleyball NZ age group under-19s and was a silver medallist in the senior boys' division at the NZSS Beach Volleyball nationals. James played on the New Zealand Pro Tour, with a best result of fourth.