Sports Captains

The 2021 Captain of Athletics is S. M. Sutherland 7G

Sutherland joined the Athletics team in Form 4 and has represented the School as a member of the Athletics programme since.

He is a young man of excellent character. This has been most visible through his personal dedication to training which has aided his significant progress throughout his athletics career at the School. He has a positive and selfless attitude, authentically supporting and showing interest in other athletes.

In 2020 Sutherland knocked 0.6s off his 200m time at the National Championships. He was also an integral part of the Senior 4x100m Relay team's success at the Central Western Zone Championships, qualifying for the Auckland Championships that were later cancelled.

In his leadership role as Captain of Athletics, he has a lot to offer the sport and other athletes. He is determined to positively influence the Athletics squad's achievements this year.

The 2021 Captain of Badminton is S. X. Lin 7A

Lin has been part of the Premier team for the last four years.

He was also a member of the 2018 and 2019 team who were Auckland Secondary School Champions and runners up at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships in 2018 and 2019.

Lin has represented Auckland in age group teams winning the National Junior Team Championships in 2017 and 2019.

This year he has been selected in the New Zealand Under 19 Squad. He has a dominant playing style and considerate leadership style, actively engaging and developing junior players.

The 2021 Captain of Basketball is L. A. Vea 7G1

Vea has been a member of the Premier team since Form 4 after being named into the team to cover injuries.

He has used the time in the team environment to build his basketball ability and a desire lead by example through hard work and dedication.

This year his efforts have seen him selected in the New Zealand Under 17 squad on the back of strong performances at the Regional level where he represented Auckland.

With the backing of other seniors, Vea has set lofty goals for the Premier team's 2021 season.

The 2021 Captain of Chess is A. C. Z. Fan 7B

Fan has been a member of the Senior Chess team since Form 3 and has been instrumental in the team securing national secondary school titles in both 2017 and 2020.

Fan was a recipient of Colours for Chess in 2020 and is a current member of the FIDE Online Olympiad. He holds a FIDE Master (FM) title and is ranked 14th best chess player in New Zealand.

In July, Fan will represent New Zealand at the FIDE Chess World Cup to be held in Sochi, Russia.

He is a quiet, confident leader who takes an interest in improving young talent and developing a strong team strategy for retaining the national title.

The 2021 Captain of Cricket is J. T. Todd 7E1

Todd has been a member of the 1st XI for the past three years, and in this time has already represented the School on 35 occasions.

A genuine all-rounder, Todd has been recognised for his ability through selection in the New Zealand Māori Schoolboys team the past two years.

His first-round 223 not-out batting performance against Rangitoto College, which is a school record, has set a high personal standard in which he must aspire to maintain as he leads.

Todd leads on the field with a strong voice, and with the backing of other seniors in the side has set lofty goals for 2021.

The 2021 Captain of Cycling is D. F. Barclay 7G

Barclay has been a member of the School's Cycling team since Form 3, and has been a member of the Senior A team since Form 5.

He has experienced success as a member of the Senior A team who won the Auckland Team Time Trial Championships in both 2019 and 2020 and the North Island event in 2019.

Barclay has raced in the Northern and Southern Tours and was selected to represent New Zealand Under 17 team who competed in Australia in 2019.

Barclay is also a 2021 School Prefect who is a dedicated, and approachable and has been an integral part of the Senior A team.

The 2021 Captain of the Distance Squad is H. M. Swinson 7B

Swinson has been a member of the Distance Squad at Auckland Grammar School since Form 3 and has proudly represented the squad at numerous events including the National Cross Country, the Auckland Championships and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Road Race.

He has had several successes as part of the six-man team with medal placings at national events, such as the National Road Race in Tauranga last year.

Swinson is a committed squad member who leads by example in his approach to his training. He has gone from strength to strength and continues to improve as a result of his commitment to training.

His positive attitude and enjoyment of the sport, along with his humility and integrity, is well regarded by his peers and staff, acknowledged by the fact he is a 2021 School Prefect. Swinson's enthusiasm and compassion makes him a positive role model and leader for the squad.

The 2021 Captain of Football is D. Thomas 7E1

Thomas has been a member of the 1st XI Football team since Form 5 and proved himself invaluable, starting every game in his debut year.

He is a gifted footballer, who has represented Auckland at age group levels, and more impressively, made his Men's 1st XI team debut for Central United earlier this year.

He is a versatile player who is able to fulfil both defensive and midfield responsibilities; however, it is as an uncompromising centre back that he leads the team.

On the field, Thomas is fiercely competitive and despite a serious injury curtailing his season very early last year, he has worked tirelessly on his recovery and it is this attitude that makes him highly respected amongst his peers and by the coaching and teaching staff associated with him.

Thomas is also a 2021 School Prefect.

The 2021 Captain of Golf is M. S. Griffiths 6A

Griffiths has represented the Grammar Golf team for the past three years and this year will be his second as Captain.

Griffiths has continued to work hard and show dedication to reduce his handicap, now playing in the number three position in the Premier team. After the success of 2020, the focus would be to maintain standards.

Griffiths is a mature head who applies the disciplines established in his academic life to the challenge of leading a young and talented golf team.

The 2021 Captain of Hockey is A. D. Punga 7F

Punga has played hockey throughout his time at Grammar and has been a member of the 1st XI since Form 5. He is a mid-fielder who will provide an excellent platform for the team on defence and solid ball for attacking play, while organising the team superbly.

Punga has excellent skills, knowledge of the game, reads play well and as such has represented Auckland in the Under 15 and Under 18 age group representative teams.

He has supported his team mates both on and off the field with high expectations and belief in competition equating to success. As captain, he has the drive and a desire for all team members to contribute to the team's development this year.

He is well-regarded by his fellow team mates and staff alike. He has demonstrated leadership through commitment, passion, and humility and this has been reflected in his prefectship this year.

The 2021 Captain of Lacrosse is R. J. M. Parkes 7E1

Parkes has played lacrosse for Auckland Grammar for the past three years.

He is a versatile player, capable of playing a range of positions, making him a valuable asset to the team.

Parkes has represented Auckland in both the Under 15 and Under 18 age brackets and is a hardworking, reliable player.

Parkes is also been involved with Grammar Voices and rugby.

The 2021 Captain of Mountain Biking is T. D. Hiddleston 6H

Hiddleston has been a member of the Mountain Biking squad since Form 3.

He is a skilled Cross-Country rider, and a very fit and committed member of the squad.

Hiddleston placed fourth overall in the very competitive Under 17 category in the Auckland Schools Mountain Biking race series in 2020. Unfortunately, with the 2020 lockdowns he did not get the chance to compete at the North Islands or National Championships.

He leads by example and is a sound contributor who represents Grammar with pride.

The 2021 Captain of Orienteering is S. G. Broun 7F1

Broun has been a member of the Grammar Orienteering team since Form 3. Throughout this time he has developed into a dedicated and capable orienteer.

He has qualified for the Auckland Sprint Series finals every year and in 2019, he was second in the Long Race at the North Island Championships.

Broun has earnt the respect of the team through demonstrating strength of character and dedication to the sport on a consistent basis. He epitomises servant leadership, initiative and a commitment to supporting the wider team.

He is well-known for his consistent encouragement and mentorship, particularly of newer members to the sport.

The 2021 Captain of Rowing is B. C. Shortt 7F

Shortt has been a member of the School's Rowing Squad since Form 5. He has been an exemplary student and outstanding oarsman during this time and has represented the School with distinction as a member of the Rowing squad.

He is currently a member of the Senior Eight, the Under 18 Four, and the Under 18 Pair. In 2020, he was part of the Under 17 Eight, who was unbeaten in the North Island throughout the season.

Shortt is of an outstanding character. He leads by example and has a selfless attitude. He has an excellent work ethic and positive attitude which has earned the respect of his peers.

He started the season by setting a high standard and is well-supported by a strong team of senior rowers who are busy preparing for the next three regattas of the season.

The 2021 Captain of Rugby is R. O. Williams 7F1

Williams is in his third year in the 1st XV Rugby team where he plays the position of half back.

He has an excellent kicking game and an accurate and powerful pass that allows him to clear the ball quickly.

Williams is a strong defender who is able to break the line and use his speed when he makes the decision to run with the ball.

He has also played wing and full back in previous seasons for the 1st XV.

Williams is also one of three Senior Prefects for 2021.

The 2021 Captain of Softball is A. A. Iese 6G1

Iese has been a member of the Senior Softball team since Form 3.

As a softball pitcher, he has had to take on a leading role, even as a junior student. He is a quiet, talented and determined student who will readily offer his assistance to other members of the team.

In 2018 he was selected for the ISA New Zealand Under 18 squad and is currently a member of the Franklin Under 18 squad.

The 2021 Captain of Swimming is E. Li 7D

Li has been a strong competitor representing the Grammar swim team since Form 3.

He has regularly featured in the top three in his age group at the annual School Swimming Championships and has won numerous medals at Zone, Regional and National competitions.

Li is a determined and dedicated young man who has shown real empathy in helping his teammates overcome difficulties and achieve to the best of their ability.

In 2021, his talent, experience and leadership will be vital to a team of younger swimmers as they look to win the National title last year's second place.

The 2021 Captain of Table Tennis is B. B. Wu 7A

Wu has been part of the Premier team since Form 4.

He was a member of the team who won the Auckland Secondary School Championship in 2018, were runners up in 2019 and placed third at the 2019 New Zealand Secondary School National Championships.

Wu has also competed individually winning U21 Doubles events and has been selected for the Under 17 New Zealand Northern Squad for 2021.

On the court, Wu plays aggressively while off the court he actively engages with junior players to aid their development.

The 2021 Captain of Tennis is A. M. Shah 7E

Shah has been a loyal supporter of Tennis at Auckland Grammar since Form 3 and has been a member of the Premier team since Form 4 as a solid singles and doubles player.

In 2020 Shah made the quarter-finals of the Auckland ITF Doubles competition. This year he has already made the Round of 16 in the Christchurch ITF competition for singles, and reached the quarter-finals for the Wellington IFT competition in Doubles. He is currently ranked 19th in Auckland in his age group, and 356th in the open New Zealand category.

Shah is a 2021 Prefect and a committed team member who works in a productive manner with those about him. As captain, he is looking to lead strong team performances in the Christchurch Boys' High School exchange, the Quadrangular Trophy and to help build the depth of talent in Grammar tennis across all grades.

The 2021 Captain of Touch Rugby is J. D. Penney 7D1

Penney has been a member of the Premier Touch team since Form 4.

He has had representative honours with the Counties Under 16 mixed team in 2019 and the Northland Under 18 teams this year winning national titles both years. He has also represented New Zealand in the Under 16 mixed team and the New Zealand Under 18 team.

As a player, Penney is uncompromising on offence and defence while having an ability to control the tempo of the game.

Penney leads from the front and sets a good example for his teammates to follow. He demonstrates his expert knowledge and looks to share this with younger players.

The 2021 Captain of Volleyball is R. J. J. Prospero 7D1

Prospero has been a member of the Premier Volleyball for the past two years. He is a committed and valued member of the Premier team.

He is an outside hitter with a considerable ability to get in the air and put a ball away. He has a sound knowledge of the game having also played in club competitions and a variety of tournaments annually.

Prospero He leads by example through his actions, attitude and energy, and he inspires and motivates the players around him.

The 2021 Captain of Water Polo is J. C. G. Klink 7G1

Klink is in his fourth year as a member of the Premier Water polo team. He has been an integral part of the team ever since making his appearance as a Form 4 student in 2018.

He is a potent attacking threat on the right wing and is able to win kick-outs on a regular basis for the team, as well as score numerous goals. His approach to Water Polo is one of determination and dedication and he will lead by example.

Klink's skill and training ethos has seen him picked in National representation training camps, and in 2021 he will be ably assisted by Vice-captain F. G. McCall 7C.

The 2021 Captain of Weightlifting is A. J. Greenbury 7H

Greenbury took up Weightlifting in Form 4 and made impressive strides, earning a bronze in the Under 15 category of the 85kg class in his first year at the National Championships.

He followed this up in 2019 with a silver medal in the open category of the 96kg class with lifts that put him into fifth in Oceania for lifters under 17 years old.

At the 2020 New Zealand Secondary Schools Weightlifting Championships, he earned bronze in the over 102kg class. He has a personal best in the snatch of 90kg and a top clean and jerk of 117kg.

Greenbury has a positive disposition and the composure that will serve him well when competing in front of an audience.

The 2021 Captain of Yachting is M. J. Alderson 7F1

Alderson has been a part of the School Yachting team since Form 3 and has been influential in his contribution to the team's success, most notably winning the Auckland Teams Racing Championship in 2019 and back-to-back national titles in 2017 and 2018.

Other successes include a second and third place finish in the Harken Keel Boat racing and being selected to represent New Zealand at the World Optimist Championships.

Alderson is a committed Yachtsman and is looking forward to leading the team in the upcoming Auckland Cup and National Championships.