PNBHS 2004-08 – Gordon Club

In 2004, Nick was playing for both third form Specials Cricket and Hockey during his first year at PNBHS. In cricket, he top-scored 82 runs and was the winner of the Page Trophy for the best 3rd form Cricketer. He was also named the “Most Promising 3rd Form Player” for his 3rd form hockey team coached by the Tim O’Connor.

In 4th Form, Nick began playing for the PNBHS 1st XI. From 2005-2007, Nick scored over a 138 Goals for PNBHS. Nick won the Parsot Brothers Cup for “Most Goals” 2005, 2006, & 2007. Was named the MVP at the Champions Trophy in 2006 & 2007 and won the John Dentice Cup for the “best Forward” 2005, 2006 & 2007. He led the PNBHS 1st XI to two consecutive Rankin Cup Finals where the team lost in strokes in both 2006 & 2007. The 2006 Palmestonian reads “2005-2006 Third XI Cricket – Nick has given up cricket to concentrate on Hockey and if he chooses not to come back to cricket, it would be a huge waste of talent”.

In 2007, at the age of 17. Nick made his international debut for the Black Sticks while still at school.

In 2010 he had a stellar year. He won a bronze medal at the 2010 Common Wealth Games. He was nominated for the International Hockey Federation’s Young Player of the Year Award. He was named in the FIH All Stars team of players who “lit up the hockey world over the past year”. He played at the Champions Trophy in 2012 and played for the played for Ranchi Rhinos in the Indian Hockey League. Nick represented New Zealand at two Summer Olympic Games in both 2012 & 2016 becoming NZ Olympian 1231 and during his career played over 170 International matches for the NZ Black Sticks.