- By Ashley Fillet
I had the privilege of captaining the Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC) First XI girls’ team this season.
After a stellar 2023 season where we became A1 champions, we earned the right to compete in the premier division of college sports.
Our squad of 18 was stronger than ever, but despite facing some unfortunate injuries, we finished mid-table.
The pinnacle of our season came on September 2, when we took 16 players from our squad to compete in the 2024 Kathy Seaward Tournament.
We entered the tournament full of excitement and confidence, knowing we had one of the strongest teams in recent years.
After a series of dominant performances, we comfortably topped our pool.
As we moved into the quarter-finals, the dream of winning the tournament felt closer than ever.
A standout moment came when our youngest player, a year 9 student, scored within the first five seconds of the match, sparking a wave of enthusiasm throughout the team.
We carried this energy into the semi-finals, where we delivered an 8-0 victory against Paraparaumu.
Heading into the final was a whirlwind of emotions. After scoring first, One Tree Hill fought back, and we went into halftime tied 2-2.
However, in the second half, our team’s strength, unity, and determination shone through as we pulled ahead, ultimately winning the final 5-2 to claim the title of 2024 Kathy Seaward Champions – a fitting conclusion to an incredible season.
Beyond the tournament win, one of the highlights of my year was coaching the junior team. It’s a role that fills me with excitement for the future of football at BDSC.
With no year 13 players graduating this year, the potential for even greater success in the seasons to come is immense.
- The BDSC First XI girls’ squad: Micaela Besley, Taetum Bryson, Eden Chaytor, Mila Clark, Mia Craig, Gabrielle Dalton-Wilson, Grace Eng, Ashley Fillet (c), Gemma Hewlett, Amelia Higson, Sehajpreet Singh, Jessie MacLennan, Neeve Murphy, Anika Naidu, Ka’iulani Scott, Alana Wilson. Coaches: Karl McLennan and Paul Hutchinson.
