Terewa Boylan and Hazel Gates-Paul are two athletes who give it their best effort every time they take to the court or field.

They just love getting out there and giving everything a good crack, whether it is in the classroom or on the sporting field.

Terewa, a 16-year-old in year 11 at Tarawera High School, is seen as a role model by many of the younger students and his efforts in various sports in 2024 have seen him named as the school’s top sporting athlete.

He loves basketball, touch and volleyball and is considered a leader in all.

He’s equally at home on attack of defence on the basketball court and the same goes for volleyball and touch.

“I started playing rippa rugby as my first sport and that’s still my favourite now.”

He said being named top athlete for 2024 was unexpected.

“I was certainly very surprised to win it, but also incredibly happy at the same time and hopefully I can win it for the next couple of years.”

A highlight of the year for him was helping the school’s boys’ basketball team take out their grade in Tauranga.

“It was awesome fun and super cool to win the Baywide competition. We played well as a team.”

He intends to return to Tarawera High School next year and play the same sports.

“I want to carry on playing them and help my teams do well.”.

He also claimed victory for his year in the school’s cross-country, showing his sporting ability in a range of fields.

Hazel Gates-Paul, 16, was named the senior girls’ winner.

“I’m proud, privileged and grateful for the acknowledgement and super happy to have won the award,” she said.

Her highlight of the sporting year was a trip to Thailand with a New Zealand Māori under-16 volleyball team, which she captained.

Rugby sevens and 15s, along with volleyball, are her three main sports and the year 11 student enjoys the oval ball sport the most.

Hazel started out playing ripper rugby in boys’ teams but has progressed through the ranks and is now stoked to be part of an era where girls’ rugby is flourishing.

She hopes to add her name to the trophy a couple more times before finishing at Tarawera High.

Tarawera High School sports co-ordinator Eden Lloyd said both students were fabulous role models.

“They have always been team players and natural leaders.”

Terewa had taken on many roles, including helping coach, showing junior athletes the right path to succeed in these sports, she said.