A group of 16 dedicated boys from Kaikohe Intermediate School made a huge impact for the town at a national rugby league competition recently.
The school represented Kaikohe, Northland and Nga Puhi at the annual Intermediate Rugby League Tournament at Hopuhopu, in the Waikato, at the beginning of October.
Their participation at
the tournament became a stepping stone for Kaikohe Intermediate School achieving prominance at national competitions in the future.
The school has never been to a national level sporting tournament before, but after the boys performance it won't be the last - the team put in a great effort to acheive sixth place overall - against teams from all over the country.
This has become a learning experience for the boys and one they will treasure for a long time.
The team was also paid another huge compliment when its captain Owen Paraha was selected for the New Zealand Intermediate (under-13) tournament team.
Many thanks to the team's supporters: manager Luke Hiki Snr, Don Paraha and coach Phil Gordon, and assistants Eru Croft and Ricky Ansel and Rangi Tapaatoutai, as well as Cheryl Waaka from Sport Northland, sponsors and whanau.
Caption: The Kaikohe intermediate rugby league team from left: Back row, Eru Croft (assistant coach-manager), Herewini Warren, Luke Hiki jnr, Rawiri Veltmyer, Maeakafao Tapaatoutai, Byron Yakas, Raymond Ieremia, Wirihana Johnstone and Don Paraha (coach); Front row, Piri Croft, Terepo Tapara, Arapeta Ruawhare, Matavai T (vice captain), Owen Paraha (captain), Alex Makay, Toloto T, Bailey Sanders; absent, Kenneth Moka.
