Mason nails two of his goals

When Mungo Mason arrived at Tauranga Boys' College five years ago he wrote himself a list of goals he wanted to achieve by the time he left school.

At the top was to captain the First XV, be head boy, and a double international.

So far the Year 13 student has knocked off two and would love to nail all three. He is head boy for 2013, has represented New Zealand at junior and under-20 level in water polo, and is likely to be First XV captain this season.

But the well-spoken, polite Mason is not getting ahead of himself. He is humbled by the opportunity to lead the school in whatever form that takes and says it is a huge honour to do so.

"There is that massive legacy and in society today there is less and less chances to have a leadership role so when you do get that opportunity you have to value it."

Mason has had a busy summer. He was the sole Bay of Plenty rep, and the youngest player at 17, in the New Zealand under-20 water polo team that performed with distinction at the Australian State Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in January.

"We beat Queensland for the first time ever in New Zealand water polo history at under-20 level, which was a pretty good damn achievement for us. We had some amazing players in our team who had been to worlds and played to a very high standard so it was good to learn from them and benefit," said Mason.

Next up for Mason in the pool is to help drive the Tauranga Boys' water polo team to win the senior secondary schools title in Wellington in April.

"We think we have a good chance at winning nationals. It is the perfect time for us when all the ages match up and we have all the senior players here together, so hopefully we can take it out."

Mason has also been training over the summer for rugby and after a less than satisfactory season last year. He says the Tauranga Boys' First XV coaches and players want to be back competing for the Super 8 title in 2013.

"It is good the way the Bay union has integrated a few of us from school to train with the Bay Academy which has been really beneficial, and school training is full on. It is going to be a good year. Our first game is against Massey High School in April so we are looking forward to that."