Celebrating Achievements and Memorable Moments in Football and Futsal
On Wednesday, 3rd December, in the school auditorium, all football and futsal players, their whānau, as well as the coaches and managers from the 2025 season, were invited to celebrate the year across both sports, recognising achievements, successes, and memorable moments. The major awards and team awards for the season are as follows:
Major Award Winners
Stranks Trophy – Spirit of Football (Girls) – Amy Pinkerton
Coach Greg Hobson said: “Amy consistently embodies the true spirit of football. Her sportsmanship, integrity, and leadership set a supportive tone for the team. She motivates her teammates through her example and positivity, both on and off the field. Her commitment and attitude were instrumental in the team being recognised with the WSSFA Fair Play Award for 2025, and are key reasons why she has received the Spirit of Football Award for Girls.”
Amy captained the Girls’ 1st XI, represented the Melville WAIBOP W-League Senior Women’s team, and played for the Melville U18 Girls in the National Youth League, helping the team finish 2nd in New Zealand. She has shown dedication, resilience, and leadership, making her a role model for all players in the programme.
Bell Trophy – Spirit of Football (Boys) – James Black
Coach Michael Groom reflected: “When the team needed him, James was always there. Since joining the 1st XI, he has played in every position with passion, purpose, and pride. James embodies the joga bonito spirit: joy, enthusiasm, inspiration, and selfless commitment. He consistently encourages his teammates, demonstrates respect for opponents, and leads with humility and integrity.”
James also played for Hillcrest United Men’s Team in their first Waikato Men’s division season, proving himself as both a talented player and an exceptional ambassador for the game.
Byrne-Cruickshank Cup for Excellence in Football – Tyler Yu
Coach Michael Groom said: “Tyler has been the absolute embodiment of the joga bonito approach. His passion and joy infused every training session with energy and focus. As Captain, he led by example, giving his heart and soul for Hillcrest. His performances at The Malcolm Cowie Tournament were as influential as they were inspirational, and he set the standard for commitment, skill, and leadership.”
Tyler also captained the Cambridge Under-17 team and represented the Cambridge club in the men’s division, demonstrating his ability to excel both within school football and in wider competitive environments.
Jordi Ditfort Award for Excellence in Futsal – Shino Kubota & Callan Fraser
Both Shino and Callan have demonstrated exceptional skill, commitment, and leadership in futsal at a school and regional level. Shino played for BOP Surge and Waikato University teams, while Callan represented both U17 and Men’s Waikato Rapids.
Their dedication on and off the court has helped their teams achieve success while also setting a standard for all players in the futsal programme. Beyond talent, they have been exemplary role models, encouraging younger players, demonstrating professionalism, and inspiring their peers with their passion for the sport.
Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank the parents and families of our players for their encouragement and support throughout the season, particularly those who helped with coaching and management. Our volunteers, including referees, devoted their time to ensure the smooth running of our programmes.
Thanks also to the sports department for their significant efforts across the entire sports programme, especially in football and futsal, and for all they are doing to create an exciting future for sports across the school.
We are grateful to the school staff who gave their time beyond coaching, including travelling with teams, organising fixtures, and managing equipment. Finally, our players deserve recognition for their dedication, determination, and teamwork—the heart of our football and futsal programmes.
We’d like to sincerely thank the local community and businesses for their ongoing support. Your contributions help strengthen our connections and play a vital role in the success of our football and futsal programmes, providing opportunities for our students to thrive both on and off the field. A special thank you to the Parry Group of McDonald’s Hamilton for their ongoing support of Hillcrest High School football programmes. Rob and Linley Parry said: “We are thrilled to be part of the Hillcrest community and look forward to supporting football and our students for years to come.” Principal Christine Williams adds, “We are incredibly grateful for their support, which creates meaningful opportunities for our young people both on and off the field.”
Player Awards
Player of the Year – Given to a player who has consistently demonstrated outstanding skill, sportsmanship, and dedication throughout the season.
Most Promising Player – Recognises a player who has shown significant development, potential, and passion for the game throughout the season.
Award Winners
In the Senior Boys Premier team, Callan Fraser was named Player of the Year, with Samuel Doake receiving the Most Promising Player award. For Senior Boys Development, Kwadwo Baah earned Player of the Year, while Jesse Alderton was recognised as Most Promising Player. Senior Boys Gold saw William Do named Player of the Year and Daniel Pryor awarded Most Promising Player.
Connor Fergusson was Player of the Year for the Junior Boys Premier team, with Hayoon Lee as Most Promising Player. In Junior Boys Development, Jack Mexted received Player of the Year, and Christian Clark was Most Promising Player. Samuel Hidalgo was named Player of the Year for Junior Boys Gold, with Noah Hollings as Most Promising Player. Johnny Zaloumis earned Player of the Year for Junior Boys Navy, and Minh Tran was Most Promising Player.
For the Senior Boys First XI, Tyler Yu was awarded Player of the Year, with Jonathan Richmond-Van Ruitenburg receiving the Most Promising Player award. In the Senior Boys 2nd XI, Player of the Year went to Laiton Stockdale, and Kwadwo Adjei Baah was Most Promising Player.
Shino Kubota was named Player of the Year for Senior Girls Premier, with Tayla Kay recognised as Most Promising Player. In Senior Girls Development, Hayley Cutler received Player of the Year, and Mika Michalik was Most Promising Player. Harper Walton earned Player of the Year in Senior Girls White, with Abigail Ball as Most Promising Player. Hannah Milne was Player of the Year for Junior Girls Premier, with Hayley Herbert as Most Promising Player. In Junior Girls Development, Lily Wilson received Player of the Year, and Summer Wingrove was Most Promising Player.
Gemma Herbert was Player of the Year for Senior Girls First XI, with Tayla Kay recognised as Most Promising Player. Esme Shoston earned Player of the Year in Senior Girls 2nd XI, with Kayla Bryant as Most Promising Player. Chloe Shoston was Player of the Year for Junior Prem Girls, and Evelyn Brockett was Most Promising Player. Finally, in Junior Girls Development, Georgia Parsons received Player of the Year, with Nina Brassington named Most Promising Player.
