Westlake Boys breaks tennis drought

Westlake Boys High School is celebrating two recent tennis titles, including its first Auckland secondary schools championship in more than a decade.

The school’s top team of Eddie Biss, James Burrows, Andre Duggan, Matt Lang, Nehal Naidoo, Jacob Warren and Ethan Zhang took out the premier Auckland championship, contested in a league format of weekly matches, as well as the Champ of Champs tournament, a two-day competition where players play a series of pool and knockout matches.

Westlake beat Rangitoto College 5-1 in a North Shore derby to secure the championship.

Team member student Eddie Biss said it felt great to be able to bring the title to Westlake.

“We’ve had real strong teams in the past that have gotten to a couple of finals but hadn’t got over that final line, so it felt good to be able to do that.”

Eddie and teammate Nehal Naidoo also won the doubles title at the Champ of Champs tournament, beating a Macleans College pair in the final.

The 16-year-old Year 12 student told the Observer winning the doubles was a highlight.

“Winning the doubles was really cool. Playing with my mate, so it felt really satisfying to get the win.”

Eddie also did well in the Champ of Champs singles, losing in the semi-finals to good friend Chan Min, who plays for Rangitoto College.

Eddie said he’s now shifting his focus to the secondary school nationals, where he and his teammates aim to bring Westlake its first national title.

In the long term, he hopes to win a tennis scholarship in the US.

Gill’s dream of 22m comes true

Shot-putter Jacko Gill threw a personal best to again beat rival Tom Walsh – for a second time in as many weeks.

Having taken the national title from Walsh, the Takapuna Athletics Club thrower followed up with a throw of 22.12m at the Sir Graeme Douglas International meeting in West Auckland on 16 March.

This added nearly 22cm to his previous best, set in winning silver behind Walsh at the Commonwealth Games last year.

Walsh’s best throw of the night was 21.79m, well below his personal best of 22.90m, set in 2019.

Gill credits Nerida and Walter Gill, his parents and coaches, for much of his recent success, saying he is happy in his training and has improved his technique.

“I’m stoked, I can’t believe it. I’m very happy.

“I have wanted to throw 22 metres since I was 16. It was always the dream.”