Football at Waihi College
We provide opportunities to play football for both boys and girls from year 7 to 13. Students in the year 7&8 levels play in the Bay of Plenty Junior grades, on a home and away basis. Generally we field 2 mixed gender teams at this level, and these teams are graded.
Once students reach year 9 the genders separate and play in the Thames Valley, or Waikato competitions. We historically have had a Yr9&10 Boys side, a Boys 1st XI, a social girls side and a Girls 1st XI.
Although the 1st XI’s vary in ability from year to year, we find that cohort groups from strong Yr7&8 years will build to be very strong first XI’s. The progression beyond school involves the Waihi Club for those who stay in town, and clubs at Universities, or in the cities the students move on to beyond Waihi College.
We have had success with ex- students making National sides- Natasha Price played for the NZ under 17 Women’s side, Michael White represented NZ Universities, and John O’Hagan played for the NZ Secondary Schools team.
We have a strong “pay back” policy, with senior players giving back to the school, for the support and time and effort coaches and managers have put into their football past. These players assist with a Friday afternoon 6-side competition run over terms 2 & 3 for the local primary schools. The players ref the games, and run a sausage sizzle.
Seniors are also encouraged to help train junior teams, running practices after school, and coaching on Saturdays when their own player schedules allow.
