Sporting news from the start of 2026

02/03/2026
2026 Issue 1, Sports, Student Success

Check out some of the sporting achievements of our Springs-Waiōrea students and staff in 2026, so far!

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ATHLETICS – Auckland Track and Field Championship Success

Daequan Su competed in the Auckland Track and Field Athletics Championships held at the Porritt Classic stadium in Hamilton on Saturday 14 February.

He competed in the U18 Men’s 110m Hurdles where he came away with a personal best time of 14.79s. He also completed a season best jump in the U18 Men’s Long Jump of 6.27m which won him a gold medal!!!

Congratulations to Daequan!

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BASKETBALL – Amiel Paculio

Congratulations to our Springs Y12 student, Amiel Paculio, who has been selected in the U16 Camp David NZ team to compete in the prestigious Global Hoops International Showcase and NBTC New Zealand Qualifier Basketball Tournament in Manila, Philippines.

Amiel’s selection is a testament to his hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence. Training day in and day out, he has continually pushed himself to improve his talent and elevate his basketball skills. His dedication on the court reflects the strong work ethic and resilience he value at Western Springs College. Representing both his school and country on an international stage is an incredible honour.

Congratulations Amiel on this outstanding achievement and best wishes for this exciting opportunity in Manila!

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Introducing our new Directors of Sport – Basketball, Football or Netball

As the new Director of Basketball at Western Springs College, I, Anthony Kalolo, bring over 15 years of basketball experience and 6 years of coaching expertise. I’m excited to grow and shape the programme from the ground up, turning Western Springs College basketball into a thriving programme, developing pathways for students to reach their full potential.

As a former student, I’m passionate about creating opportunities for students to succeed on and off the court, and I’m proud to be able to give back to the community that’s shaped me.

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Kia ora koutou,

My name is Brock Radich and I am extremely proud to be joining Western Springs College as Head of Football for the 2026 season. It is a privilege to be entrusted with the growth of WSC football programme, and I am excited to begin this journey with our players, families, and wider school community.

I bring a high level of coaching experience across youth, academy, and senior football environments within both boys and girls pathways. Most recently I have worked with Saint Kentigern College and Eastern Suburbs AFC, and I am currently based at Western Springs AFC as the Head Coach of the U17 and U23 teams, as well as Assistant Coach of the Men’s First Team. Alongside football, I bring 11 years of leadership experience in professional supply chain management roles, which strongly shapes how I approach culture, standards, accountability, and people development.

My football philosophy is centred on:

A possession-based, intelligent style of play.
Building players who understand the game, not simply follow instructions.
Creating environments built on trust, high expectations, and inclusivity.
Challenging players in training so they are confident and adaptable in matches.

Above all, I care deeply about player development. Not only as footballers, but as people. My aim is to ensure every player and coach at Western Springs feels valued, supported, challenged, and inspired to pursue excellence, regardless of their starting point.

I look forward to meeting you all in the coming months and working closely with players and parents to build a programme that truly reflects the values and ambitions of Western Springs College.

Ngā mihi nui,

Brock Radich

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I, Diane Pakau, am proud to take on the role of Netball Director at Western Springs College, bringing extensive experience across school, club, regional, national, and international netball environments. My coaching journey spans across various age groups from Opens, U19, U18, Premier, and International Secondary School teams, with coaching roles within Netball Waitākere and Tāmaki Makaurau Poitarawhiti. I have been fortunate to coach teams to multiple Premiership titles and national podium finishes, including New Zealand U18 National championship success in 2025, while also contributing to the game as a selector, talent identifier, and umpire. These experiences have shaped a holistic understanding of athlete development and the importance of strong, values-led programmes.

My approach to coaching is grounded in player-centred practice, bold and courageous leadership, and the belief that sport plays a powerful role in developing resilient, confident young people. I am passionate about creating an inclusive and high-performance netball environment that values skill development, wellbeing, and connection, while providing clear pathways for growth and opportunity.

At Western Springs College, I am committed to building a positive team culture that supports students to thrive, challenge themselves and be inspired to pursue excellence with integrity – on the court, in the classroom and within the wider school community.

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National Hockey Masters medalist – our very own Jared Hockly (HOD Mathematics)!

Congratulations to our Head of Department (HOD) – Mathematics, Jared Hockly, on his recent selection in the Auckland Mens Masters Hockey Team (45+ years) that played at the National Masters Hockey Tournament in North Harbour from February 22nd to 28th.

Jared had an exciting end to our tournament last Saturday when a last-minute goal in the 3rd/4th playoff game resulted in a draw, so his team went into another penalty shootout, which they won and took out the bronze medal!

Jared was still at school teaching our students in between his games across the week, and he was back at school on Monday morning – showing his dedication both on and off the field!

Here’s a great action shot of Jared from his semifinal match on Friday (27 Feb), and one with his children & his new medal! Congratulations again, Jared!

[Photo credit: Auckland Hockey Facebook page, 27 February 2026 + Jared Hockly]

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Motorsporting success for Matt Day on GT4 debut

Congratulations to our Year 12 student, Matt Day, who made his debut in the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship at Highlands Motorsport Park at Cromwell in late January this year – and won! Matt has been participating in motorsports for the past 4 years. If you’re interested in following his journey, follow his Facebook page (Matt Day Motorsport) or his Instagram page (@matthewdaymotorsport).

[Photo Credit: Matt Day Motorsport Facebook page]

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