An exceptional athlete and outstanding leader, Ryan has worked tirelessly both on and off the field to inspire others and excel in his chosen codes. His efforts earned him the prestigious award in both 2019 and 2020, not to mention the respect of his peers and ACG Parnell College Sports Coordinator, Steph Trowill.
Says Steph, “Ryan is not only a skilful athlete in the various codes he plays, but he also shows exemplary leadership, sportsmanship and commitment, all of which is just as, if not more, important.
“It has been really pleasing to watch Ryan’s leadership qualities grow over the last 12 months. His work ethic and contributions to his respective teams have proven he is a very reliable student. This has allowed me to give him the opportunity to coach sports teams, as I trust that he will take the opportunities with both hands and lead the teams with a great level of commitment. The respect Ryan has gained has seen him be voted by his team mates to captain our First XI boys’ football team and become a school Prefect for 2021.”
The active teen has been playing sports for as long as he can remember and has embraced all the sporting opportunities ACG Parnell has provided. Last year alone Ryan captained both the Senior A tennis and First XI football teams, played men’s interclub tennis, and coached ACG Parnell’s first girls’ soccer team.
“There have been so many memorable highlights – coaching the girls’ football team and watching them score their first goal, scoring a hat-trick in our last game of the 2020 football season and celebrating with the team in the rain, and coaching the Years 5 and 6 futsal team,” says Ryan. “It was also exciting competing against top athletes and teams from other schools in the Champions of Champions Auckland tennis tournament and national football tournaments.”
Going up on stage during prizegiving to receive the Senior Sportsman of the Year award was also “unbelievably awesome”.
“It was an amazing feeling to be able to receive recognition for something I’d worked so hard for. Winning this award gives me the encouragement to continue to coach and support other students by showing them how determination and hard work can pay off.”
Ryan is clearly a shining example. Despite his numerous sporting commitments, he works hard to ensure his academic and other extracurricular responsibilities are also upheld.
“I manage to stay on top of everything by creating a thorough timetable of all my sports trainings and meetings with an allocated time for revision in between or after. It has given me a good sense of structure.”
So, what does Ryan have in the pipeline for 2021? Not surprisingly, plenty of sport.
“I’ve got lots of sporting goals this year. Being in the First XI soccer team, I’d like us to come top in our division; as coach of the girls’ football team, I’d like us to win our first game together, and as a member of the Senior A volleyball team, I’d like to beat Dilworth. I’m also looking forward to creating a bond with the primary futsal team, so they play together in harmony.”
And as if that wasn’t enough, Ryan has also thrown himself wholeheartedly into his new appointment as Prefect.
“Being a Prefect gives me a sense of responsibility and the opportunity to lead, guide and inspire younger students through their journey at ACG Parnell College. I want to be a role model for all junior students through being able to share my knowledge and experience to help them enjoy their time at ACG.”
For additional profiles and articles on the success of our students’ at ACG Parnell, please visit the following: Sailing into 2021 and Spectacular scholarship success
