Every year the Otago Daily Times profiles promising secondary school sports stars. But where do they all go? Jeff Cheshire takes a look at the 2007 class a decade on.
Brigitte Hollander
St Hilda's Collegiate
NETBALL
Then: Had trialled for the New Zealand secondary schools team and had been a member of the Otago Rebels development team for two years.
Now: An intensive care registrar at Hastings Hospital, Hollander has an impressive list of qualifications. Played premier club netball in Hawke's Bay this year, having shifted there from Taranaki.
Morgan Nathan
Otago Boys' High School
BASKETBALL
Then: Named in the Junior Tall Blacks as a 16-year-old, the athletic small forward had a dream of playing college basketball in the United States.
Now: Now known as Morgan Natanahira, he made an appearance for the New Zealand Breakers, alongside playing several years in the NZ NBL. Was on the cusp of the Tall Blacks in 2012, before injury scuppered that dream. Those knee injuries forced him to retire in 2015 and he now works as a personal trainer in Auckland.
Tyler Bichan
South Otago High School
TOUCH
Then: Was named Otago best overall touch player and captained South Otago High School to the mixed South Island title.
Now: Plays fullback for the Clutha and Otago Country rugby teams. Had an impressive 2017 and scored three tries in Clutha's countrywide final thrashing of Wakatipu.
Jane Watson
St Kevin's College
NETBALL
Then: Trialled for the New Zealand secondary schools team, was in the Otago Rebels development squad and was named in the national talent development squad.
Now: Had a breakout season last year and has now played 18 tests for the Silver Ferns. Was the ANZ Premiership player of the year after helping the Southern Steel to an unbeaten championship. Is set to return to the Mainland Tactix, where she played the early part of her career.
Cody Jeffery
King's High School
TAEKWONDO
Then: Won two gold medals at the Tanz Taekwondo tournament in Australia.
Now: The co-founder of the Dunedin Sober Drivers Save Lives group, looking to put an end to deaths in which drink-driving is involved.
Sarah MacGibbon
Columba College
ICE SKATING
Then: Moved to Dunedin from Gore to train with coach Fanis Shakirzianau. A 12-year-old at Columba, she had represented New Zealand aged 9 and overcame a fractured spine in 2006.
Now: Continues to skate at a high level, representing New Zealand several times and won a senior women's national championship in 2013.
Hugo Inglis and Kane Russell
Otago Boys' High School
HOCKEY
Then: Were both selected for the New Zealand under-16 squad and earmarked as future Black Sticks.
Now: Both are now Black Sticks veterans, with Russell playing more than 100 tests and Inglis approaching 200.
Shane Patience
Otago Boys' High School
SWIMMING
Then: Moved south from Wellington to train with Andy Adair as a 16-year-old. Had won two medals at the Youth Olympics and produced some world-class times.
Now: Last known to be living back in Wellington.
Victoria Nafatali
Logan Park High School
RUGBY
Then: The aggressive fullback made her Otago Spirit debut as a 15-year-old and was regarded as having potential to win a World Cup with the Black Ferns.
Now: Now playing out of Counties-Manukau, she was the starting first five-eighth in the World Cup-winning Black Ferns team this year.
Thomas Bishop
Kavanagh College
PIGEON RACING
Then: Had won five events as the youngest member of the Dunedin pigeon racing club.
Now: Still races pigeons, now with the Mosgiel Homing Pigeon Club. Is doing a PhD in genetics at Otago University, studying molecular mechanisms of limb regeneration and scar-free wound healing.
Amy Pearce
Taieri College
CYCLING
Then: Had defended her under-15 girls time trial title at the New Zealand National Road Championships, having become the youngest champion, aged 12, the year before.
Now: Finished cycling in 2011 and moved to Melbourne where she works in the fitness industry and has competed at state level in crossfit, bodybuilding and rugby, and has also run a marathon.
Campbell Garry
John McGlashan College
ATHLETICS
Then: Was selected to represent the New Zealand junior team at the 2008 cross-country world championships in the Czech Republic.
Now: Finished 19th at those world championships and continued to have success in cross-country over the next few years. Is now doing a master's degree at the University of Auckland.
Tyler Smith
Kavanagh College
ROWING
Then: Won a national silver medal and a South Island title in the novice double sculls with the Port Chalmers rowing club as a year-11 pupil.
Now: Last rowed competitively in 2011 for the Otago University Rowing Club; believed to still be living in Dunedin.
Ben Bateman
South Otago High School
EQUESTRIAN
Then: Won a scholarship to study while pursuing his budding equestrian career at Massey University. Was also named one of Sport and Recreation New Zealand's future champions.
Now: Still rides horses and is a farrier, specialising in equine lameness prevention, living in Rangiotu. Last year was awarded the Valachi Downs young achiever scholarship which enabled him to undergo training opportunities.
Kelly Brazier
Otago Girls' High School
RUGBY
Then: Was in her third year with the Otago Spirit, having debuted at age 15. Also played touch for New Zealand secondary schools, had played rep football and excelled in cross-country. Had been named a Sparc future champion.
Now: Was a key member of the Black Ferns World Cup-winning side this year and is now based out of Bay of Plenty. Also won a silver medal in sevens at last year's Rio Olympics.
