"What a big shock ... it didn't seem real when we were walking up to collect the award."
That was the reaction of Western Heights High School student Tyran Gillespie after he and fellow student Daniel Michael won a coveted Secondary Schools Award at the 2016 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards recently.
The Western Heights High School Senior Boys' Beach Volleyball Team pairing took home the Secondary Schools Boys' Team of the Year at the prestigious annual gala evening held at ASB Arena in Mount Maunganui, hosted by Sport Bay of Plenty.
Gillespie, 17, said the accolade came as a surprise and highlighted Western Heights High School coach Eugene Bogun's significant input in each of the players' development.
"What a big shock for us as our school is not big on beach volleyball," he said. "I couldn't have done it without my family supporting me playing the sport I love and also Eugene has been there for me since day one."
The Year 12 pupil added: "There was some very strong competition in the group and it didn't seem real when we were walking up to collect the award."
Michael, 18, interjected: "Yeah winning the award was actually a huge surprise and it was an amazing feeling up on that stage.
"A huge thanks goes to my volleyball coach this year Eugene and for this award I would actually like to thank my basketball coach Ryan McIntyre. He may not have been my coach for the sport that the award was received in but has given ongoing support and commitment to me and my progress since the day I met him."
The talented duo had an exceptional year - including winning the 2015 Senior Boys' National Secondary School Beach Volleyball Tournament for the first time in the school's history.
Michael was also a member of the New Zealand junior men's team that competed in the South East Asian Games and was in the Bay of Plenty under-19 squad that won the New Zealand under-19 Interprovincial Championships title.
Gillespie was named in the Bay of Plenty under-17 squad who placed second at the New Zealand under-17 Interprovincial Championships.
"The highlight of the year would have to be winning the national title," said Michael. "It was an amazing feeling and a goal that I had set out since I was a junior."
Gillespie added: "That goes for me too. After coming third at the New Zealand age group champs it was a big step up."
Western Heights has a history of a strong volleyball culture but both players turned to the beach version of the game in Year 9.
"I decided to give it a go because I wanted to try something a little bit different," said Gillespie. "I tried it out on the beach on holiday, enjoyed it and it just stuck."
Michael added: "I wasn't the best at indoor volleyball at the time and I saw an opportunity to pick up more playing time so took to the beach. But I then found that I loved beach even more. This year me and Tyran just clicked and just worked so naturally together."
Michael is taking a season out but both players have high aims including representing New Zealand internationally.
"I'm going to be taking a bit of time out but in the future I hope to jump back on the New Zealand programme and continue to play," said Michael. "I want the opportunity to play on an international stage."
Gillespie added: "I definitely want to travel overseas with the sport. I think I still have a lot more to achieve and this award was just the start of things to come."