Each week until the annual ASB YSPOTY awards event on November 28, we will profile past winners as we count down to the 25th annual event which honours the top young college sportspeople in the region.
Ryan Archibald (Auckland Grammar) 1997
Ryan Archibald's 18-year international hockey odyssey is not yet over. He still hopes to play a part in helping the Black Sticks qualify for the Rio Olympics. They need to beat Australia in October in Taranaki, and that is Archibald's short-term focus.
He ranks as one of the great Black Sticks, having chalked up nearly 300 test caps, captaining his country and scoring close to 50 goals.
He cracked the national team while still at school.
"I have very fond memories of my time playing hockey at Auckland Grammar. We had a very strong playing group and excellent coaching which contributed to the school winning two Rankin Cup titles while I was there. Unfortunately, we lost the Rankin final in 1997 which would have made it three titles in a row if we had won. So '97 was an enjoyable year because we played a great style of hockey, but [it was] disappointing not to come away with the big prize. The artificial pitch was in place during my time, which was, and still is, a fantastic facility for the school," said the 34-year-old.
The midfielder was hockey's first big winner at the ASB Awards and recalls his parents being there, and feeling honoured to win it.
When he's not playing club hockey for Somerville, rep hockey for Auckland, or extending his international career, Archibald works in business development for EnviroWaste Services, draws nearer to completing his MBA degree, and is a husband to wife Kim and daughter Mackenzie.
Career highlights are many.
"Becoming an Olympian [2008 and 2012] is far and away No1. I also had the privilege of playing professionally in Europe for five years, which was a great experience," said Archibald.
New Zealand Black Sticks Samantha Harrison in action against Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Samantha Harrison (Diocesan) 2009
In 2009, Sam Harrison was enjoying a stellar final year at school.
She had come down from Whangarei to Diocesan two years earlier.
"Our First XI hockey team won Federation Cup [in 2009]. It had been our/my goal to win the cup since I moved to Diocesan in 2007. I definitely think that making the Black Sticks team while still at school helped me get [the ASB] award," said Harrison, soon to turn 24.
She is on 93 Black Sticks caps [older sister Charlotte has also played for New Zealand], but took a step back from international hockey after the 2012 London Olympics.
"That was a highlight, achieving a life goal of attending the Olympic Games. At the same time it was a disappointment, as we came so close to making the final, going to extra time and shootouts against the Netherlands, only to then get knocked out and then losing bronze to the hometown team England."
Harrison temporarily hung up her stick and travelled, returning to New Zealand last year, and is to feature for Auckland in the NHL.
"I am studying primary teaching at Auckland University. I found this was what I wanted to do while on my travels post-Olympics. I'm really enjoying my studies and am very focused. I love playing for Auckland women and I feel I have a great balance of sport, work, study, friends and family."
Harrison is the third supreme winner out of Diocesan, following in the footsteps of Sarah Ulmer (1993) and Frances Kreft (2003).
