Division one rugby has begun for the 2025 Te Awamutu College first XV after impressive pre-season and grading rounds.
The Te Awamutu College first XV attend a Chiefs game at FMG Stadium Waikato as a group. Photo: Supplied
Te Awamutu beat St John’s College second XV, Te Kūiti High School first XV and St Paul’s Collegiate second XV on route to making the top under-18 Waikato Rugby division.
Last week they hosted their first official game, just falling short against Hamilton Boys’ High School senior black 21-19, before a 29-0 loss to Matamata College on Saturday.
Te Awamutu showed they were meant to be in the top division in the opener, and were leading 19-18 in the final two minutes before giving away a kickable penalty.
Centre Willem Poolman Jnr will also co-captain the squad. Photo: Supplied
The squad, once again coached by Willem Poolman, Carl Sheridan and Chris Shields, have been putting in the hard yards since September.
On and off the field they’ve connected as a group and given the community something to be proud of.
“Making division one is an outcome of all the things they’ve invested in. The kids are committed. They’ve been in the gym and on the field since September. More importantly, they’ve built a great connection,” Sheridan said.
“It means more to the team than anything because they’ve worked so hard. They’re chuffed. I think we embarked on a mission three years ago within the school to kind of get back to that spot.
“In our changing room there’s photos of the likes of Jono Gibbes, Bruce Reihana and Steve Gordan who went on to international status. They played in division one, for probably a top of the Waikato Te Awamutu College side.
“We want to show the people of Te Awamutu that our college is worth coming to and being a part of. Making division one puts us on the map a little bit.”
Jacob Sheridan is one of the 2025 first XV co-captains. Photo: Supplied
Hooker Jacob Sheridan and centre Willem Poolman Jnr are the co-captains in 2025, selected via an election process that included talking to past players, captains and this year’s playing group.
Four year 11, seven year 12 and eleven year 13 students make up the dynamic of the squad, providing plenty more leadership opportunities.
“We’ve had really good conversations with our year 11 boys this year about how nerve wracking coming into the first XV environment is,” Sheridan said.
“It’s all external stuff – there’s years of tradition with that name of the first XV – then there’s blazers, caps and ties. We’ve tried to keep it just rugby and connection, being together.
“Those boys feel and see that, they’re humbled to be part of it. It’s daunting, but exciting at the same time.
“Part of our coaching job is to unlock fear. Sometimes they play to not make mistakes, but we’ve got them into the team to be free, be who they are and bring their game to our game.
The coveted Waipā Cup derby against Cambridge High School will take place at Albert Park on June 27 and the team will also be at the ‘Rugby by the Beach’ tournament in Pāpāmoa at the end of August.
Te Awamutu College first XV 2025:
Year 13: Jacob Sheridan (co-captain), Willem Poolman Jnr (co-captain), Teina Beets, Xavier Shields, Corbin Harty, Doug Fonoti, Joel Connolly, Jackson Montague, Reuben Turnbull, Dylan Harpur, Luan van der Merwe.
Year 12: Cooper Gedye, Nathan Dale, Zac Green, Liam Watson, Corey Hobbs, Jesse Cox, Taylor Tata.
Year 11: Corey McKenzie, Harrison Gubb, Sam Sheridan, Regan Densem.
Management: Chris Shields – coach, Willem Poolman – coach, Carl Sheridan – coach, Dom Connolly – manager, Anthony Turnbull – analyst, Kara Thomas – physiotherapist.
