Marsden Whanau Captain Report for 2020

Being named Whanau Captain for the Mighty Marsden this year has been both a privilege and an honour. Upon being named a Prefect in 2019, I instantly knew that I wanted to pursue the role of Whanau Captain. Everything about it said my name. I also knew that it would be a great opportunity to give back to my school community and be a mentor to the younger students.

I have been a passionate sportsman my entire life, and enjoy the challenge of leading others. This role gave me the chance to be involved in every sporting activity that goes on at WBHS and has pushed my leadership abilities in a way that they have not been before. It has lived up to its expectations. We had a high standard to uphold this year, with the pressure of trying to go back to back, to be crowned champions two years in a row. At times it has been difficult, juggling school work, sports, and my leadership roles, but I wouldn’t have changed the experience of being a Whanau Captain for anything.

Aidan Scrooby

Marsden Whanau Captain

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Coming off an amazing year in 2019 with Marsden lifting the title for the first time in 27 years, I knew I had big shoes to fill. Being Co-Captain of the Mighty Marsden whanau has both been thrilling and challenging. It has allowed me to display my leadership skills and competitive attitude across an array of sports and activities. I am a passionate rugby player, representing the Whangarei Boys High 1st XV for three years, and was privileged to skipper the side this year.

Marsden is a strong whanau with an abundance of pride and packed with loads of young talent. We gave every inter-whanau competition our all, and I commend my Co-Captain Aidan Scrooby for always being well organised and an asset in all the competitions. Although we didn’t quite do as well as we would have liked to, we did not lack passion or pride for the house.

Dylan Hook

Marsden Whanau Captain
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We kicked off the year of inter-whanau competitions with Swimming Sports, which is arguably the most amusing event of the year. Followed by Athletics day, two of the more significant sporting events in our school calendar. Marsden started the year out a little rough, coming 3rd in Swimming Sports and 5th on Athletics day. We have previously been very strong in athletics, so the final result was surprising.

Next up was inter-whanau touch, an event that both whanau captains looked forward to thoroughly, taking the comp out in spectacular fashion the previous year. This was followed by junior basketball. We knew that after a mediocre start to the year, we had to come back fighting if we wanted to maintain a competitive position in this competition. However, despite the enthusiasm, we finished 4th in both events, unfortunately.

Upon coming out of lockdown, and returning to school, Marsden finally shifted up a gear in our competitive efforts, placing 1st in inter-whanau badminton, 2nd in inter-whanau quiz, 3rd in inter-whanau haka, and 2nd in both volleyball and football. Much better results compared to the start of the year.

After a hard-fought battle this year, we are currently just short of first place, behind Grey, in a respectable 2nd. Regardless of the outcome, we are extremely proud of our boys for the efforts they have put forward this year in the face of adversity.

We would like to acknowledge and thank both the Marsden prefects and teachers for the constant support throughout the year. We could not have done it without you.

Finally, a message to next year’s Whanau captains. It is not going to be easy. You will be thrown in the deep end at the beginning of the year and will have to learn how to juggle all of your commitments on the fly. Do not be afraid to ask for support from teachers, and fellow prefects, it will make all the difference. Enjoy your role, and make the most out of every opportunity presented, the year will be over before you know it. Good luck, and bring home the competition.