Western Springs College – Ngā Puna o Waiōrea has overhauled its sports leadership for the 2026 season. The central Auckland school announced new directors for its basketball and football programmes this week following a string of regional and international successes for its student-athletes. The appointments come as the school aims to formalise its development pathways for both boys and girls across its premier codes. Among the new leadership is Anthony Kalolo, a former student who returns to the school as Director of Basketball. Kalolo brings 15 years of experience in the sport and six years of coaching. He replaces a more informal structure with a mandate to build the programme from the ground up and create clear routes for students to reach higher representative levels. "I’m excited to grow and shape the programme from the ground up, turning Western Springs College basketball into a thriving programme," Kalolo says. As an alumnus, he says he is focused on giving back to the community that shaped his own early career. His appointment coincides with a period of high performance for the school’s basketballers on the international stage. Year 12 student Amiel Paculio was recentemente selected for the U16 Camp David New Zealand team. Paculio is scheduled to travel to Manila, Philippines, to compete in the Global Hoops International Showcase and the NBTC New Zealand Qualifier. School officials says his selection follows a rigorous period of training and reflects the resilience valued within the college.
New leadership in football and netball
Brock Radich joins the staff as Head of Football for the 2026 season. Radich arrives with a background in academy and senior football environments, including recent roles at Saint Kentigern College and Eastern Suburbs AFC. He currently serves as the Head Coach of the U17 and U23 teams at Western Springs AFC, and is the Assistant Coach for the club’s Men’s First Team. Radich says his approach will be shaped by 11 years of leadership in professional supply chain management. He says this experience informs his focus on culture, standards, and accountability. His coaching philosophy emphasizes an intelligent, possession-based style of play where players understand the mechanics of the game rather than just following instructions. The football programme will focus on creating environments built on trust and inclusivity. Radich says he intends to challenge players in training to ensure they are adaptable during matches. The goal is to provide a consistent pathway between the school environment and the local club level, where Radich remains heavily involved. This move aligns with similar efforts across the region to integrate arts and sports, such as the Tuia Waitākere rebrand in West Auckland.
Success on the track in hamilton
The school’s athletics programme also recorded significant results at the Auckland Track and Field Athletics Championships. The event, held at the Porritt Classic stadium in Hamilton on 14 February, saw Western Springs student Daequan Su compete against the region’s top talent. Su participated in the U18 Men’s 110m Hurdles, recording a personal best time of 14.79 seconds. Su followed his hurdles performance with a gold medal in the U18 Men’s Long Jump. He achieved a season-best jump of 6.27 metres to secure the top spot on the podium. The victory marks a strong start for the school’s track and field season as athletes prepare for the wider Auckland secondary schools competition circuit.
Infrastructure and regional context
The investment in specialised sports directors reflects a broader trend in Auckland schools to improve coaching quality and athlete retention. Other local institutions have recently sought funding for facilities, such as equipment upgrades for performance spaces, though the focus at Western Springs remains on coaching personnel. This mirrors international efforts to document and preserve institutional history, similar to how The 519 in Toronto is archiving its 50-year legacy. According to the school, the new appointments are intended to ensure every player and coach feels supported and inspired to pursue excellence. The school administration confirmed that the new directors will oversee the development of both the premier teams and the junior development squads. This structure aims to provide long-term stability for the sports department. The next major event for the school’s athletes will be the continued regional qualifiers for winter sports. The basketball team's progress in Manila will be monitored by the school throughout the international window. Western Springs College will provide further updates on coaching appointments and trial dates for the winter season through its official channels. Further information on secondary school sports schedules can be found on the College Sport Auckland website. Trials for the football and basketball junior programmes are expected to conclude by the end of March.
