Woodford had the privilege of hosting Black Stick Emily Naylor and former Football Fern and White Fern Rebecca Rolls for the school’s annual sports awards dinner.
Born in Napier, Rolls began her sporting career playing international football. After a few years, she put down the football and picked up a cricket bat, entering into a long One Day International cricket career, representing New Zealand in 104 matches and one Test match. In 2012, after having retired from both codes, she made a shock come back for the Football Ferns.
Naylor, of Palmerston North, is the most capped women’s hockey player ever with 246 test caps. She has competed at three Olympic Games and is currently on the come-back trial to make the team for Rio 2016.
Both sportswomen have a strong connection with Woodford as Naylor coaches members of the Sports Academy and Rolls is the sister-in-law of Head of Sport, Chris McIvor.
Deputy Head Girl Prue Boult and her sister Anna interviewed the athletes at the awards ceremony about their sporting careers and advice for the next generation of female athletes. Their messages were thought-provoking as they highlighted the importance of playing multiple sports while at school, having an alternative career plan and how to prioritise, rather than balance, sport and school work.
Rolls said some teenagers were specialising too early, which increased the risk of burn-out and code fatigue.
‘Playing a range of sport will keep students’ skill set wide and their brains fresh’, she said.
Year 12 student Eva Goodisson took away the Senior Sportsperson of the Year award, while Molly Goodisson and Georgia Trent won the Junior Sportsperson of the Year. Aquathon world champion Eva Goodisson, also received the Principal’s Award for Excellence.
Eva receiving an award from Emily Naylor
Major award winners:
| Physical Development Excellence Awards | Lucy Roberts, Samantha Cave, Jessie McNeil |
| Fair Play Award | Emily Callaghan |
| Student Coach of the Year | Emily Callaghan and Imogen Mickleson |
| Student Official of the Year | Pieta Parvin |
| Principal’s Award for Team of the Year | 1st XI Hockey |
| New Zealand Representative | Eva Goodisson – Triathlon |
| Sportsmanship Award – Celebrating 100 Years of Sport at Woodford House 1911 – 2011 | Milly Smith |
| The Principals Award for Excellence | Eva Goodisson |
| Craft and Hern Contribution and Performance for Year 7/8 | Tessa Burns |
| Craft and Hern Year 7 & 8 Sportsperson of the Year | Samantha Cave |
| Craft and Hern Contribution and Performance for Year 9 | Jessica Macfarquhar |
| Craft and Hern Year 9 Sportsperson of the Year | Sasha Norris |
| Craft and Hern Contribution and Performance for Year 10 | Georgia Trent and Molly Goodisson |
| Craft and Hern Year 10 Sportsperson of the Year | Monique Way |
| Craft and Hern Contribution and Performance for Year 11 | Ginny Gibbs |
| Craft and Hern Year 11 Sportsperson of the Year | Farren McGregor-Smyth |
| Craft and Hern Contribution and Performance for Year 12 | Eva Goodisson |
| Craft and Hern Year 12 Sportsperson of the Year | Eva Goodisson |
| Craft and Hern Contribution and Performance for Year 13 | Brona Turley and Jessie McNeil |
| Craft and Hern Year 13 Sportsperson of the Year | Lucy McHugh |
| Nimon and Sons Prize for the Overall Junior Sportsperson of the Year | Molly Goodisson and Georgia Trent |
| Nimon and Sons Prize for the Overall Senior Sportsperson of the Year | Eva Goodisson |