Lakes High students gain national sports selection

Rotorua Lakes High School has reason to celebrate with six students in the past month selected to represent New Zealand in their individual sports.

Head girl Maggie Donovan-Cotter said the school's prefect team had been focusing on pushing a sporting culture that had naturally developed at the school.

"It's fantastic to see this level of success from students in such a wide variety of sports."

Prefect Oliver English, 17, was selected for the New Zealand Development Squad in whitewater kayaking after competing at the national championships in Kawerau.

Being part of the New Zealand Development Squad will help advance Oliver to the next stage of competing, such as the Junior World Championships and other international competitions.

He was stoked to be a part of the squad after only a year of paddling.

"It's super to be on that squad and I'm especially excited to be a part of it to keep improving and kick-start me on to that next stage of my kayaking career."

Head boy Paddy Baylis, 17, was selected to represent New Zealand in swimming at the Australian State Team Championships in Canberra in September as a result of his races at the New Zealand Age Group Championships in Wellington last month.

It is his third year competing for the New Zealand team at an event that pits the Australian states against each other in a team competition.

"It's a great opportunity to get some more experience racing overseas and it's always amazing to race against some of the best swimmers my age in the world and to meet and build friendships with them," he said.

"The teachers and management at Lakes High are fantastic at supporting and working with all the students who have ambitions in their sports."

Tom Waldin, 17, and Luke Gardner, 13, were both selected as part of the New Zealand team for the World Indoor Climbing Championships in Austria during September.

While it is Tom's second year qualifying for worlds, it is Luke's first time representing New Zealand in climbing.

"Lakes has definitely built up a culture for great climbing and it's awesome to see the younger climbers at the school really picking up on that tradition and furthering it," Tom said.

Enhancing that climbing culture at Rotorua Lakes High School, 17-year-old Sam Munday, Holly Gardner, 15, Luke Gardner and Tom Waldin all were selected to represent New Zealand at the Oceania Climbing Championships. The event will be held in Noumea, New Caledonia in October.

"These athletes demonstrate that at Rotorua Lakes High School the opportunities and support are available for students to succeed at the highest level in their fields while still achieving academically and carrying out leadership responsibilities," deputy head boy Matthew Gatenby said.

- Written by head boy Paddy Baylis