German Striker Julius Sailer Leads Auckland Hockey to Victory

German exchange student Julius Sailer has made a significant impact on the hockey scene in New Zealand, leading the Pakuranga College team to victory at the national age-group championships. The 18-year-old striker, who hails from Stuttgart, played a vital role as Auckland’s under-18 boys’ A Blue squad triumphed over Otago with a score of 5-3 in the final held in Timaru.

Successful Partnership in Auckland Hockey

Sailer arrived in Auckland in January last year and quickly formed a strong partnership with Clive Daniels, the director of sport at Pakuranga College. This season, Sailer has represented four different teams under Daniels’ coaching. Speaking about the national under-18 tournament, Sailer noted, “Those teams have the best players out of their regions. It’s quite good hockey, but I think when I played last year it was better.” His contributions were crucial, as Auckland’s team displayed dominance throughout the tournament.

Daniels expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We were quite dominant this year. We beat everyone quite convincingly.” The Auckland squad had a remarkable run, leading most matches by at least four goals and finishing with a perfect record throughout the tournament.

With the victory in Timaru, Auckland has now secured back-to-back championships, adding to their previous win in 2023. Sailer reflected on the achievement, saying, “It’s been really nice, obviously because we’ve also won twice now.”

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the success at the national level is notable, Sailer noted the challenges faced in the Auckland secondary schools’ premier hockey league. “It’s been quite hard this year, but we’re doing well for the team we have,” he stated, highlighting the competitive nature of the league against other strong hockey schools.

Daniels emphasized the potential for growth within the Pakuranga team, mentioning, “It’s a young team. Half the team are juniors. We’ll be strong for the next couple of years if we hold on to our kids.” This foundation bodes well for the future of the team as they develop their skills and experience.

In addition to his success with Pakuranga College, Sailer also plays for the Howick Pakuranga club’s men’s premier side, where he learns alongside top players like Sam Lane and Blair Tarrant. Daniels remarked on the advantage Sailer has in training with these experienced athletes, stating, “He’s learning his trade amongst some really good players.”

Sailer’s busy schedule includes balancing academic responsibilities with extensive hockey commitments, which can involve up to six training sessions and three matches in a week. Looking ahead, he has also been selected for the Auckland men’s provincial team, which will compete in the national regional championships in Christchurch this September. “He’s the youngest player in the squad,” noted Daniels, who is optimistic about Sailer’s future in the sport.

Support from Sailer’s family back in Germany has been unwavering. He shared that they visited New Zealand for the under-18 tournament and were proud of his accomplishments. “They’re happy and proud,” he said, reflecting on their encouragement.

In addition to Sailer’s success, other students from Pakuranga College also made their mark at the national tournament. Ashley Simango, a year 12 student, played for the Auckland A girls’ team, which finished fifth, while Finn Miller, from year 13, contributed to the Auckland B boys’ side that placed 12th.

As Sailer continues to excel on the hockey field, his journey serves as an inspiring testament to the opportunities available for young athletes in New Zealand.