The Iona College athletes who won three winter codes in 2016, the first time in the school's history. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
The Iona College athletes who won three winter codes in 2016, the first time in the school's history. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Iona sport teams have ended their term on an almighty high - placed No 1 with three Hawke's Bay winter code titles in the same year is a school first and a performance result one usually only dreams of for a relatively small school with a roll of 310.
Thegirls dared to be extraordinary and now they have proudly enjoyed the best winter sports season in the history of the college.
Iona Stingers, the 1st X1 football team, were division 1 winners of the Bay secondary schoolgirls' competition. It was a tremendous effort for a relatively young team who will only lose one year 13 player this year.
The 1st X1 hockey team began the season by winning the Furnware Cup in April and continued to build throughout the season to go on to win the Bay division 1 girls' competition, amassing 83 goals and conceding only six.
The Iona premier netball side were undefeated in their division to win the Premier Netball League bowl trophy and were one of only four Bay teams to retain A grade status in the Lower North Island Secondary Schools Winter Netball Tournament.
Director of sport Nic Harty says: "This is the result of a conscious shift from a participation focus to a performance focus over the last few years and a commitment to strategic planning.
"Underpinning this success is a greater emphasis on advanced goal setting, building a strong team culture and developing player resilience across all sporting codes." A highlight was the development of the Iona 1st X1 hockey team. Having won the Chica Gilmour nationals last year meant they also qualified for the national secondary schoolgirls' tier 1 tourney, Marie Fry/Federation Cup, this year.
After the first two days of play at this tourney in North Harbour, Iona 1st X1 had qualified to play in the Fed Cup, considered to be "the ultimate in New Zealand secondary schools' hockey".
Only 16 teams make the elite grade and competition is tough.
Iona 1st X1 played with grit and determination to finish ninth, despite two players picking up serious injuries. Iona year 10 player Bella Greig was named top goal scorer across all Federation Cup games.
Commenting on the calibre of players, a parent said: "They are a committed, tenacious and totally awesome team who overcame obstacles of team injuries and a very small subs' bench to not only be known across the tournament for their positive attitude and sportsmanship, but to also demonstrate that they are one of the top school hockey teams in New Zealand".
Iona coach Karen Holder added: "They are intelligent players who have developed an excellent understanding of the game to match the physical skills they have."
Iona had several players selected for Bay representative teams from the three winter sides: nine for hockey, six for football and two for netball.
Harty says the results could not have been achieved without the dedicated coaching and management behind the teams and the girls who worked hard on their fitness and were committed to training throughout the year.
