Sports Captains
The 2023 Captain of Archery is J. M. O’Flaherty
O’Flaherty has been a member of the Archery squad since Form 4 and was Vice Captain in 2022. He has been a member of the Senior A Recurve team for two years, and in 2022 was the Auckland Under 18 Archery Target Champion. He was recently selected for the Archery New Zealand High Performance Squad.
He is incredibly passionate about Archery and shows initiative to continually ensure Grammar archers are afforded opportunities to train and compete.
As a leader, O’Flaherty is level-headed and calm under pressure, and he is always willing to share his knowledge with his teammates.
The 2023 Captain of Athletics is J. A. Mora
Mora has been in the Athletics squad since Form 3. That year, he did not win an event at Sports Day, but through determination and hard work he has improved to become the 2022 Senior Athletics Champion.
He is currently the Auckland Club Road Race and Cross Country Champion, the New Zealand Road Race Champion and record holder and a member of the New Zealand Track Team. He represented New Zealand at the World Under 20 Cross Country Championships in Australia in February.
He is an exceptionally good natured and positive character who is a great role model to the Athletics squad.
The 2023 Captain of Badminton is O. Wu
Wu has been a member of the Premier Badminton team for the last four years. During this time, the team were Auckland Secondary Schools Champions in 2020 and 2021, and they were runners-up in 2022.
Wu has represented Auckland, winning Gold in the National Junior Team Championships in 2018 and 2019, and runner up in 2021 and 2022. He was selected in the Under 17 New Zealand National Squad in 2021.
He has a competitive and focused attitude and a support leadership style, actively developing junior players and assisting with coaching.
The 2023 Captain of Basketball is R. S. Hunt
Hunt is in his second year of the Premier Basketball team.
Through hard work and dedication, he has incrementally built, not only his basketball ability, but his ability to lead by extending himself.
This year, his hard work has seen him selected in the New Zealand Under 17 Basketball squad on the back of strong performances at the Regional level.
Hunt will need to bring a strong voice, and with the backing of other seniors on the side that have set lofty goals for 2023.
The 2023 Captain of Cricket is T. C. Jones
Jones has been in the XI Cricket for two years and has already represented the School on 15 occasions.
A genuine all-rounder, Jones has been recognised for his ability through selection in the Auckland Under 17 team where he was named captain.
Primarily a batsman, he sets high personal standards and performs with grit and true determination to remain at the crease. This was evident in his performance in the New Plymouth Boys’ High School traditional fixture in February when he produced a team focused 89 not out.
Jones sets high standards for himself and others and leads through his actions, with the backing of other seniors in the team.
The 2023 Captain of Cycling is F. A. Malpass
Malpass has been a member of the Cycling team since Form 3. He has been committed to improving his Cycling each season and was selected as a member of the Senior A team in 2022.
His demeanour on and off the bike has had a positive impact on others in the Cycling squad. His leadership qualities and experience will be invaluable during the Auckland, regional and national competitions.
Malpass was a member of the Senior A team who won the 2022 Auckland Teams Time Trial and were national champions, after winning the Sir Bernard Ferguson Trophy.
The 2023 Captain of Disc Ultimate is J. M. Woodward
Woodward is a skilled player, with a high work-rate on the field. He displays excellent composure and knowledge of the game, and leads the team with respect.
Off the field he is a motivated and dedicated advocate of the sport, and always willing to help younger players.
Woodward is a current member of the New Zealand Under 20 team, and represented New Zealand at the World Junior Championships in Poland last year with distinction. He was also named as the captain of Disc Ultimate in 2022.
The 2023 Captain of the Distance Squad is D. Y. E. Lai
Lai has been a member of Distance Running since Form 3 and has represented the School at numerous events including Auckland and New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships.
He is a committed squad member who has team medal placings at Auckland events. He has continued to improve in this sport as a result of his commitment to training midweek and on weekends.
Lai leads by example in his approach to his training. His positive attitude and enjoyment of the sport, along with his determination and integrity, have held him in high regard by his peers and staff. He is also a 2023 School Prefect.
The 2023 Captain of Fencing is O. L. Hannaford
Hannaford is in his second year of the sport and has been a member of the Auckland Grammar School Fencing club for the past two years.
Hannaford has represented the School in the Regional Secondary Schools events, and New Zealand at the 2023 Australian Junior Championships where he won third in the teams’ event, qualifying him as a deft and committed swordsman to lead the Auckland Grammar School Fencing Club.
Hannaford aims to win the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships this year and to develop new junior fencers.
The 2023 Captain of Football is D. W. L. Wood
Wood has been a member of the 1st XI Football team for three years and was a regular starter as a Form 6 student. He is a determined defensive midfielder who leads from the front with what has become his trademark work ethic and aggression.
Wood prides himself on his ability to win the ball in physical contests and has a natural ability to execute tight passes under pressure to generate attacking opportunities for the team.
As a leader, Wood is vocal both on and off the pitch, sharing his knowledge of the game with coaches and players alike to help the team develop and learn from their experiences.
The 2023 Captain of Golf is D. J. Freeman
Freeman has represented the Premier 1 Golf team since Form 3.
Through hard work and dedication, Freeman is a nationally ranked junior golfer and Auckland representative.
This year, Freeman aspires to lead the Premier team, made up of younger players, by mentoring them both on and off the course and through example when representing the School.
The 2023 Captain of Hockey is Y. R. Khushal
Khushal debuted for the 1st XI Hockey team as a Form 4 student, and is the epitome of a selfless player of the game.
His technical ability and skills coupled with his understanding of the game provides the team with an additional strength and confidence as they build their attack. His vision and ability to read the game are strengths that will aid him as the 2023 captain, as will his leadership by example.
Khushal has represented the School at a national level through his attendance at Rankin Cup. This experience will provide the team with an advantage as they progress through the SuperCity competition; a build up to their national campaign.
The 2023 Captain of Mountain Biking is F. Rhodes Macrae
Rhodes Macrae has competed in Mountain Biking for the last four year. He has performed well in the Cross Country races, finishing in the top 10 in Auckland consistently, and has since developed a passion for Enduro and Downhill events.
He competed in the 2021 North Island Championships at 440 Gravity Bike Park in the Enduro Race and in the Downhill where he placed 16th in the North Island in the Under 17s category.
Rhodes Macrae was also the Captain of Mountain Biking in 2022 and continues with the leadership role this season.
The 2023 Captain of Multisport is Q. R. Gardiner-Hall
Gardner-Hall is a respected student among his peers, a School prefect, he is a Grammar man and is always willing to help and assist others.
He has competed in every Aquathon, Duathlon and Triathlon events since Form 3 and he is a member of the Road Cycling team. He leads by example, training diligently most mornings either running, cycling or swimming.
He placed fifth at the Auckland Secondary School Sprint Triathlon Championships in 2021 in his first year as an Under 16 competitor and placed eighth in the National Schools Duathlon Championships in 2022.
Gardiner-Hall also placed fourth out of 152 competitors and third overall for his age group in the sprint event, achieving his personal best and completing the event in under one hour.
The 2023 Captain of Rowing is R. D. Owen
Owen has been rowing throughout his tenure at Grammar.
During this time, he has achieved well across age categories and is currently preparing for the North Island Secondary Schools Championships.
He has represented the School with distinction, has upheld the School’s values and has shown leadership in all areas. He has an excellent work ethic and a positive attitude.
Owen has the respect of his peers, leading by example, as the wider squad work in focused fashion as they prepare to compete in Secondary Schools Regattas, leading to the annual Maadi Cup.
The 2023 Captain of Rugby is L. J. D. Lepionka
Lepionka is in his third year in the 1st XV, and is an outstanding loose forward who possesses exceptional ball-running skills and is an effective defender.
His experience and leadership qualities are invaluable assets to the team, and he leads by example both on and off the field. Lepionka’s experience has helped him to develop a sound understanding of the game and grow his ability to make good decisions under pressure.
He is well-respected by his teammates and his attributes including leadership and dedication make him an asset to the 1st XV team.
The 2023 Captain of Softball is T. P. G. Twigden
Twigden has been a member of the Senior Softball team for the past two years, since Form 5. He has represented Auckland in the Under 15 squad in 2020, the Under 17 squad in 2022, and is currently a member of the Auckland U17 Squad.
He is a humble and dedicated player who will always offer help to other members of the team and leads by example.
The 2023 Captain of Softball is N. Z. Thomas
This is Thomas’s fifth year in the Premier 1 Squash Team. He is a durable player with an elite grading of B1.
On court, Thomas is a skilled and determined player who brings guile and sophistication into his match play. He is generous with his time, and his availability and willingness to junior players.
He has represented New Zealand, firstly in 2019 as a member of the New Zealand Secondary School Junior Squash Team and then in 2022, as a member of the New Zealand Secondary School Senior Squash Team.
The 2023 Captain of Swimming is J. J. Kennard
Kennard is a capable swimmer who has earned success in the pool during his secondary schooling.
He has won multiple medals at the New Zealand Secondary Championships, including three golds, and has the current New Zealand record for 16-year-old boys in the 50m breaststroke event.
Kennard has been invited to join the New Zealand Youth Commonwealth Games selection squad along with Form 6 student H. P. Klouwens.
His leadership and experience will play an important role as the team focuses on success at nationals this year.
The 2023 Captain of Table Tennis is J. Han
Han has been a dedicated member of the School’s Premier team since Form 3. He was a member of the team who won the Auckland Secondary Schools and also the National Secondary Schools Table Tennis Championships in 2022. He also received a Bronze medal in the individual competition.
Han is well-regarded, energetic and measured. He leads by example and is a role-model for junior players.
Along with other senior players, Han aims to win back-to-back National Secondary Schools’ Team titles.
The 2023 Captain of Volleyball is M. W. Tyler
Tyler has been a member of the Premier Volleyball team for the past three years. He is an outside hitter who plays with a high level of technical skill and energy, and leads the team with passion and confidence.
He is an able sportsman who has balanced his school and volleyball commitments with his other extracurricular interests. In 2022, he successfully trialled for the New Zealand Under 19 Volleyball team, and will travel with the team after this year’s Secondary Schools Championships.
Tyler is respected by his peers and the staff he is involved with for his work ethic, passion, and honesty.
The 2023 Captain of Water Polo is M. M. Duder
Duder is in his third year as a member of the Premier Water Polo team. He has been an integral part of the team since Form 5.
He is an attacking threat on the right wing and a key part of the team’s attack strategy. He reads opposition moves well and regularly diffuses the their offensive plays.
Duder’s approach to leadership is one of determination and dedication and he will lead by example.
The 2023 Captain of Weightlifting is A. D. M. Duncan
Duncan has been in the Weightlifting squad since he took up the sport at the beginning of Form 4, and has been a consistent presence at school competitions since, winning the Under 15 gold at his first national tournament in 2020.
Duncan has a personal best in the snatch of 80kgs and in the clean and jerk of 100kgs.
He won silver in his weight class at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships in 2022, and is the first Grammar weightlifter in three years to be able to snatch his body weight.
The 2023 Captain of Yachting is R. J. Kensington
Kensington has been a part of the Yachting team since Form 3, representing the School in both teams and individual fleet racing.
He has experienced success winning the 29er Auckland champs, North Islands, Sir Peter Blake regatta and NZL Oceanbridge regatta in the 2022-2023 season.
Kensington will also compete at the 29er World champs in Weymouth, United Kingdom in July this year. He is also a 2023 School Prefect.