AIMS Basketball

The Year 7 & 8 team arrived at the AIMS Games tournament well-prepared, having previously beaten their local rivals. Despite their preparation, they faced a difficult start in the pool play, going 0-4 against what proved to be a tough pool of competitors.

The team's first game was a close match against Mahurangi College, but they ultimately lost 25-15. 

Their second game against Rotorua was another competitive match. While the team showed grit and played excellent defense, they fell to a 24-34 loss.

On Tuesday, they played two more pool games. The first was a tough 57-22 loss against Koromatua, last year's second-place finishers. Their final pool game against Tamatea was very competitive with multiple lead changes, but they lost 26-16.

The team's pool was exceptionally strong, with games decided by an average of only 10-15 points, unlike other pools that saw much larger score differences. This led to the team finishing in fifth place in their pool.

Despite the four losses, the team regrouped for the crossover round, where they were competing for 65th place. They showed resilience and determination, going on a three-game winning streak.

Their winning streak had the team excited and motivated for the final game against Francis Douglas Memorial. The team played a strong game, showing what they were capable of.

A special mention to our team, starting with our Captain Seron Stanley, Leon Williams-Fotu, Kingston Sauaga-Uale, Lomio Opetaia, Lauchlan Paealiki, Ezra Asnake, Mason Leavai, Patrick Timani, Manu Hilbron and Caleb Williams Seumanu.  

A special mention was given to the team's dedicated manager, Duane Stanley, who was praised for his support throughout the week.

Mr Ronan Jebb

AIMS Futsal

What a week of skill, speed, and teamwork! Our Futsal team took to the court at the AIMS Games and put on a spectacular show, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. The fast-paced action was a thrill to watch, and our players did us incredibly proud.

Leading the charge was our fantastic Captain, Nico Bentley, whose leadership on the court was an inspiration to all. He marshalled the team with confidence and skill. The squad was a force to be reckoned with from the first whistle to the last.

Our rock in goal, Evan Kelly, was nothing short of heroic, pulling off a series of saves that kept us in the game time and time again. The defensive line, including the formidable Ben Pham, Marcus Reyne-Dyer and Russell Cruz, formed a solid wall that was tough for any opponent to break through.

The engine room was powered by the non-stop energy of Jaxson Kofutua, Riyaan Watkins, and Marlin Mataia, who controlled the flow of the game with clever passes and tireless running. Up front, our attack was a constant threat. The fancy footwork of Dosh Utia and Alex Tuiama Redman dazzled defenders, while the sharp-shooting and clever positioning of Marcus kept the opposition's goalie on high alert.

Every single player gave it their all, displaying school pride and a team-first attitude. Congratulations to the entire team on a brilliant tournament. You've done our school proud!

A special thank you to parent helper, Simon Watkins. The week wouldn't have been possible with you.

Mr Jacob Rice

AIMS Individual Athletes

This year at AIMS Games, we proudly saw four athletes compete across 3 individual sports.

Our Indoor Bowls team, consisting of Jacob Brzozowski, Madden Betham, and Qhasalle Banse, returned to the Stadium Lounge for the singles competition. All three played brilliantly, with Madden coming incredibly close to making the individual final—an amazing effort. 

Madden and Jacob then teamed up for the Indoor Bowls Doubles. Despite never having played together as a pair before, their excellent teamwork and communication were key to their success as they battled their way to the finals. We're excited to see them continue their partnership in Year 9 and beyond.

Jax Solano Goodwin made history as our first-ever St Paul's Table Tennis player at the games. Jax played with great spirit and a smile, and the experience was a valuable learning opportunity for everyone involved. Thank you, Jax, for being a pioneer for St Paul's in this sport!

Jax's week didn't end there; he also took on the challenge of the Orienteering Sprint event. This sport tests both physical and mental strength as athletes navigate unfamiliar terrain with just a map and compass. Jax ran a great time and crossed the finish line with a huge smile on his face.

As well as enjoying their own sports, the individual athletes were on the sidelines for many of the other St Paul's games, ensuring Basketball, Futsal and Rugby 7s were well-supported. We even managed a maths tutorial with Mr Ling!

Mr Ling and I thank our individual athletes for a great week. It was a pleasure to be at AIMS with you.

Ms Georgie Sadler

AIMS Rugby 7s

The St Paul's Rugby 7s team, under the excellent guidance of coach Shane Tumahai-Fox, began their AIMS journey in dominant fashion. In the round robin, they showcased a powerful offensive game and a near-impenetrable defense. They steamrolled their competition with impressive victories against:

• Taupo Intermediate (41-0)
• Maidstone Intermediate (41-0)
• Papamoa Intermediate (39-5)
• John Paul College (59-0)
• Northcross Intermediate (41-0)

Their near-perfect record in the initial stages was a testament to the hard work and discipline instilled by Shane. The boys played with a cohesive and intelligent style, a hallmark of their preparation.

The team's momentum continued into the knockout rounds, where the pressure intensifies. They rose to the occasion, securing decisive wins against:

• Francis Douglas Collegiate (44-0)
• Tauranga Intermediate (31-7)
• St Peter's (Epsom) (29-0)

In the quarter-final, a rematch with Taupo Intermediate proved to be a tougher contest. The 31-10 victory showed the boys could adapt and dig deep when challenged. The semi-final against Henderson Intermediate was a hard-fought battle, with a 24-12 win demonstrating the team's mental and physical toughness.

And then, the grand finale against Glen Eden Intermediate. A tough, bruising encounter. The scoreboard read 0-7 at the final whistle. Now, some might call that a loss. I call it character-building! These boys played their hearts out, and sometimes, the bounce of the ball just doesn't go your way. But let me tell you, to reach the final of such a prestigious tournament is an incredible achievement, and every single one of those lads should hold their heads high.

None of this would have been possible without an incredible support crew. A massive, heartfelt thank you to Shane Tumahai-Fox and his whanau.

To Tracy Leaoa, our phenomenal manager: you're the unsung hero, the organisational wizard, the glue that held everything together. Keeping Shane sane, the boys fed, and the parents informed – it's a monumental task, and you did it with grace and a smile. We owe you big time.

And to all the parents, your unwavering support throughout the week was simply outstanding. Rain or shine, win or... well, mostly wins, your cheers and encouragement fuelled these boys. It truly makes a difference.

Congratulations to the AIMS Rugby 7s team for making history. This was our most success AIMS yet!