Top windsurfing coach, Grant Beck, was named New Zealand sailor of the year at Yachting New Zealand's 2011 Annual Awards.

Grant Beck was a student at Westlake Boys High School from 1969 to 1972 and is the most successful New Zealand Olympic Coach, ever. His twenty five year Olympic Windsurf Coach record includes seven Olympic medals, with three of those coming in Gold.

Beck has been the coach for all New Zealand's windsurfing medals going back to the 1984 Olympics with Bruce Kendall and continuing with Bruce and Barbara Kendall, Aaron McIntosh and most recently Tom Ashley (also a Westlaker) who won a Gold medal in the event in the 2008 Olympics in Qingdao.

This award won by Beck on 28 October 2011 is the premier award in New Zealand Sailing, for outstanding contribution to yachting, and is given to someone who has demonstrated absolute world class abilities over their career.

Not only is Grant Beck recognized tonight for his talent and dedication as a coach, he is recognized for his wide impact throughout the NZ Yachting Community. His experience and judgement is being harnessed as an Olympic Selector in several classes and his role at Adhesive Technologies proves his worth to the wider marine industry of NZ.

To this day, Grant Beck continues to make a major contribution to youth sailing in New Zealand with a variety of roles including coaching, advising and managing youth teams to compete internationally. In fact, he was spotted just a couple of weeks ago teaching some beginners to windsurf at Wakatere Beach on Auckland's North Shore.

Source:

http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/grant-beck-named-sailor-year/5/105788

http://www.sail-world.com/NZ/Top-Olympic-Windsurfing-Coach-wins-NZ-Sailor-of-the-Year/90057

Takapuna-based drug company AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd recently took out the supreme title at the 2011 Westpac Auckland North Business Awards. On the night AFT Pharmaceuticals also won the Ministry of Science and Innovation Excellence in Design, Research & Development Award.

Dr Hartley Atkinson – Founder and Managing Director of AFT Pharmaceuticals – was a student at Westlake Boys High School from 1973 to 1977. He went on to train as a Pharmacist and he completed a Doctorate in Pharmacology while studying at university in both Christchurch and Dunedin.

Dr Atkinson remembers his science education at Westlake Boys High School. “The good practical laboratories for science, chemistry and biology made quite a powerful difference. The teachers and the facilities made these subjects very interesting. They allowed us students to learn ‘hands on’ and do experiments.  I remember making the teacher’s hair stand up straight and dissecting things”.

Established in 1997 and initially operating from a humble garage, AFT is now based in Takapuna and last financial year turned over more than $36 million. The company has already developed and launched two of its own products into the New Zealand market, an analgesic called Maxigesic and an allergic rhinitis treatment called Maxiclear Hayfever & Sinus Relief.  With its primary market currently in New Zealand and Australia, AFT plans to use its range of research and development products to expand internationally.

Hartley recalls that it wasn’t only the academic side of Westlake life that had an impact on him -  

“The sport programme at Westlake was (and still is) very good for character building. It teaches the boys that if you want to achieve a goal you have to work hard at it and not give up. Westlake’s elaborate sports programmes provide the opportunity to really get involved, train, compete and achieve in sports.  The "never give up" and "things don't just come easy" lessons as part of your education are important later in life and certainly in business!”

He further adds that back in the 70’s Westlake provided a very creative environment.

Art and Creativity were encouraged. “Looking back I realise Westlake encouraged us to think differently, creatively and outside of the box.  I can relate that back to where we are now with AFT Pharmaceuticals. Science is not exact.  At AFT we create different products by being creative and thinking outside of that box. There is still real potential in using creativity and innovation to improve on many treatments that already exist”.

Source:

http://www.btob.co.nz/article/drug-company-wins-top-business-award 

http://www.channelmag.co.nz/channel-features-mainmenu-8/webpage-993/the-shore-s-best-kept-secret-just-got-out-

World class New Zealand shooter and Westlaker, Kirk Penney is on the verge of a long-awaited return to the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Breakers and Tall Blacks guard Penney announced yesterday has been offered a trial with the San Antonio Spurs and was to leave for the United States today in a bid to force his way onto the roster of one of the strongest NBA franchises.

Penney, 29, told the Deaker on Sport television show that he had waited five years for a chance to prove himself in the world's elite league. He played four games for the Los Angeles Clippers at the end of 2004 before being released.

"I'm going to get another crack, another shot after five years ago with the Clippers," Penney said.

"And that was a short, short stint. So here we go."

Penney's standout performances at the recent world basketball championships in Turkey raised his stock considerably. Penney emerged as the tournament's second leading scorer, helping the Tall Blacks reach the last 16.

Penney goes with the blessing of the Breakers, who have long said they would be happy for their premier scorer to chase his NBA dream.

He will probably have to compete against six other players for two or three spots on the roster ahead of the NBA season starting in late October.

Meanwhile, compatriot Sean Marks is currently in a training camp with the Washington Wizards as he seeks to extend a decade-long career in the NBA.

"In one small vehicle mix together three lads, a dose of cholera, 142 curries (may come pre-mixed with cholera) and a dash of adverturist spirit.  Mix well in planes, trains and auto-rickshaws and bake in the Indian desert for two weeks.  Preserve by chilling in the Himalayas if necessary."

Westlaker Brad Fris, along with a couple of Kiwi mates from London are competing in a rickshaw race for charities in India.  They started in the Himalayas and have to get down to the west coast of India.  No set route, mountains, jungle, desert, no support crew or mechanics and no rules.  Just the three of them (and other competitors) trying to race flimsy tinfoil one-cylinder machines "down India's finest footpaths".

Follow this link to find out how Brad and the boys are surviving the competition www.theleagueofextraordinarygentlemen.org.

The competitive schools competition on the northern side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge has been dominated by Westlake Boys' High School, NZ Rugby World Magazine September Issue Schools Rugby Editor Peter White reveals what makes this North Shore institution such a force.

Don't be surprised if current and former Westlake Boys' students include the number 10 in their weekly Lotto choices.  The school has an exceptional history of producing world class first-fives and the tradition looks set to continue with the outstanding form of Jacob Botica in this year's team, which are again champions.

How proud the school is of its connection with the All Blacks no 10 jersey is obvious within minutes of walking into the school's impressive administration building.  Along a corridor are large posters of the three old boys to wear that jersey - Frano Botica, Luke McAlister and Nick Evans.

North Harbour's ITM Cup first-fives Michael Harris and Ben Botica are the latest top quality graduates off the producion line.  No surprises in that as talented inside backs have been forces to be reckoned with since Westlake Boys' became a separate entitiy in 1962 from the co-ed school established five years earlier.

In 1961 the school's longest serving First XV coach Alf Butt began his splendid tenure, which would run until 1979, and his name lives on with one of the school's premier awards - the Alft Butt Award for True Sportsmanship.

Other coaches to make special contricutions to Westlake Boys' start with Don Johnson, who gave 30 years service to the school and was affectionately known as "Mr Westlake", and include many others such as Kerry Hill, Peter Cooke, Alan Kent, Scott Reed and Charlie McAlister.  Brian Rivers, Brett Hart and Tony Vinicombe were among the unsung heroes who gave so much to the game with the junior teams.  Vinicombe deserves special mention for producing the outstanding history of rugby at Westlake Boys', which will take some beating nationwide.

Westlake Boys High School All Blacks:

• Frano Botica 1986-1989
• Dean Kenny 1986
• Ron Williams 1988-1989
• Nick Evans 2004-2007
• Luke McAlister 2005-2007, 2009

One of the school's five All Blacks is Luke McAlister who retains a special affection for the school and the impetus it gave him towards what has been a fine professional career.

"It was all good going there as far as my development is concerned," McAlister says. "It is a proud rugby school so it is always going to produce quality players.  Rosmini College and Massey High School were our biggest rivals and still are today.  There are a few boys I have played with at Harbour who I grew up playing against at school.  I loved the rivalry and school rugby is so much fun.  I really enjoyed my time in the First XV.  You definitely want to do yourself and your school proud."

Westlake Boys' have undoubtedly been the side to beat since the incpetion of the North Harbour schools competition in 1985.  They have 11 titles and have been runners up four times, with rivals Rosmini College (six) and Massey High School (five) next best.

The 2006 final against Rosmini, played at North Harbour Stadium, will take some beating as Westlake Boys' most celebrated rugby moment.  The team that year was coached by old boy and former All Blacks halfback Dean Kenny and included two more of the production line of five-eighths in Ben Botica and Michael Harris.

Westlake led 20-8 at halftime before going on a scoring spree in the second spell, scoring 56 unanswered points for a staggering 76-8 victory.  Botica had a personal haul of 28 points and Harris remembers the occasion as a hightlight of his school career, which included selection in the New Zealand Schools team.

The treasurered Moascar Cup was first played for in 1920 and features prominenently in Westlake's relatively brief history.  The acclaimed "Ranfurley Shield of schoolboy rugby" has three times been in the school's trophy cabinet but each time has been lost on the first defence.

In 1976 the cup was won 10-4 against Mt Albert Grammar in Westlake's first challenge, before Auckland Grammar took it back over the Harbour Bridge.  The following season Westlake took on a strong St Peter's outfit, and made it two from two attempts with a 10-6 win before Kelston Boys' beat Westlake 8-6 to win the cup for the first time.

One of Westlake's traditional fixtures since 1978 has been against Tauranga Boys' College and the boys from the Bay were the opposition for the next two challenges for the Moascar Cup.  In 1983, Westlake travelled down confiedent of victory but were beaten 19-6 and had to wait six years before they could challenge again versus Tauranga.

This time Westlake triumphed 11-4 to win the cup for the third time but again lost it at the first defence to a crack Kelston outfit in 1990.

In the past there is plenty to be proud of but the future looks rosy indeed at Westlake with the school's Sports Institute producing quality athletes.  Players to watch in the future, who have performed so well in this year's First XV, include highly regarded forwards Sam Quinn and Charles Elton plus Jacob Botica and Michael Little, son of former All Black Walter.

Gloucestershire have signed right-arm fast bowler James Fuller on a three-year deal from the 2011 season.

The South African-born 20-year-old plays for Otago in New Zealand and has represented New Zealand Under-19s, but joins as a UK passport holder.

Director of cricket John Bracewell said: "James has enormous potential as a pace bowler and ball striker.

"He is a genuine athlete who has chosen cricket as his profession and Gloucestershire will reap the benefit."

Fuller added: "I am extremely grateful to Gloucester for having faith in me, and look forward to repaying that through my pace bowling, and all-rounder ability."

Gloucestershire sign fast bowler James Fuller

Gloucestershire have signed right-arm fast bowler James Fuller on a three-year deal from the 2011 season.

The South African-born 20-year-old plays for Otago in New Zealand and has represented New Zealand Under-19s, but joins as a UK passport holder.

Director of cricket John Bracewell said: "James has enormous potential as a pace bowler and ball striker.

"He is a genuine athlete who has chosen cricket as his profession and Gloucestershire will reap the benefit."

Fuller added: "I am extremely grateful to Gloucester for having faith in me, and look forward to repaying that through my pace bowling, and all-rounder ability."

The Botica name remains prominent within the Westlake Boys' hallowed halls, with Jacob Botica carrying on the family tradition  of a drop kick during the 1st XV vs Rosmini North Harbour rugby final last Thursday evening.  Jacob's father Frano famously kicked two goals on his debut  for the All Blacks vs France, and last week Ben kicked a winning drop kick in North Harbour vs Northland game.

Watch here the TV One interview with Frano, Ben and Jacob Botica.

Overview

It has been a tough year….

The infamous Global Financial Crisis meant that we all were time poor as our prime focus was on our “day job” - work and survival.

The school faced a challenging period of change, which further added to the distractions for many.

But we have come out of this stronger with a more focused and positive school community, and a much sounder financial footing for Westlakers.

Which means we can now start to make a real difference.

The upcoming Jubilee in 2012 gives us a prime opportunity to showcase Westlakers. It gives us a focus and real motivation to raise our game and achieve some significant goals.

Here are the highlights of the last year, and look ahead to our priorities for the next two years.

Highlights

Growth in membership

More than doubled from 634 to 1310.

A lot of these are the new leavers, and we have a lot to do to attract Westlakers from previous eras. More on this later.

The theme for this year is “Double or Quits”, so we are on track to reach 2000 by end of this year.

Strong Financial Foundation

With the fantastic support of the Board and School, we have this year introduced a Westlaker levy for all students - $50 each for life time membership of Westlakers.

So far that is $52000 this year. It may rise a bit more…

More events. Better supported

Annual Golf Tournament, which is also our main fundraiser (almost $6000, and more expected next year). This year we shifted it from December to March, which will be the regular timing in future. Another full field and a memorable day for all. They will be back next year.

Annual Rugby derby with Rosmini – over 60. Free beer helps…

Head Of the Harbour – a keen group of rowing enthusiasts came along to Lake Pupuke and cheered the Westlake crews along. The race between the Westlakers and the current eight was a highlight. Discretion being the better part of valour the Westlakers let the young guys through..

Recent leavers Bevy – around 60 young men reconnecting with their mates. Again free beer probably helped.

(we are now looking for a beer sponsor..)

Other Bevies – we also had few smaller Bevies organised by Committee members (thanks James) for Westlakers from his year. Not a huge turnout but all that came along enjoyed reconnecting with mates, and want to have another one, and will get some of their mates along too. So it will grow.

We hope to have more like this through the year, focusing on specific years or eras as they have more in common and therefore more likely to turn up. They are casual and easy to organise, no fixed costs, and not contingent on a huge turnout.

Graduation Dinner – a true celebration of all that is great about Westlake. Goes from strength to strength and the boys really look forwards to this special night. This is more than Westlakers event, and we are proud to be part of it.

Run the lake -Well not quite as popular… maybe people don’t like having to earn their beer…

But it is important that we continually try new things that may appeal to certain cohorts in the Westlakers community.

Our Strategic focus

Finding our friends

It is critical that we build our signed up membership base across all eras, so that we can effectively promote all activities, and make them a success.

We have struggled with making the progress we would have liked, so we must all make an extra effort on this.

Ant Ford and has offered to take ownership of this and lead our recruitment. Ant has a lot of experience in this area, and with support from others we look forward to really growing our membership.

Ant will talk more about this.

Marketing and Communicating

We must build greater awareness of Westlakers through marketing activities, and then keeping them informed through our web site and newsletters.

This awareness and profile will help our more hands on recruitment efforts

• Billboards
• Posters and leaflets in appropriate public places, businesses etc
• Search engine marketing to direct traffic to web site

Web Site

We will continually upgrade the content and functionality on the site.

Priorities will be

• E commerce capability – for sales and Donations
• Business directory
• Hall of Fame
• Bevy and Community pages

Budget is approved for this development, which will take place over next few months.

We will also incorporate links with increasingly popular and effective social networking sites: Facebook, Linked In and Old friends.

Also note that we have bought a Domain Name for the Jubilee, and a holding site will be set up in coming months, with links to other Westlake sites.

Celebrating with our friends

We must continue to repeat successful events, and try new ones.

Jubilee

A prime opportunity for us to showcase Westlakers.

The planning and organisation of this great event is just starting, and Westlakers looks forward to working with the school community to make this a winner.

Heart and Soul

This is a project to create tangible reminders of our great history, to remind Westlakers and current pupils.

John Russell and Arnold van den Heuvel (Acting Deputy Headmaster) are working on a book to document the history.

Next year we will focus on building some tangible memorabilia in the school, for all to enjoy. They will certainly be ready for the jubilee, and may be a more formal part of that celebration.

Finances

As I said we are now in a much stronger financial position than ever before. Thanks to the levy. This year all boys were levied $50, and so far we have raised $52000.

In future years only the new boys will be levied $50. We expect this to generate a total of about $12000 - $15000 each year.

In addition to this we are committed to raising at least 50% of this through the annual Westlakers Golf tournament.

A few years ago we received a $10000 loan from the Foundation to underwrite our activities, and to help relaunch Westlakers. This has been critical to our achievements to date. A huge thanks to the Foundation.

But it is now payback time - we have agreed to repay this loan, using some of our newfound wealth of levy revenue.

Your Committee has committed to be conservative with our resources. We have agreed to retain at least $15000 in cash reserves from year to year.

This would leave funds of about $35000 to invest in support of Westlakers over the next year or two. It is important we invest now as we build towards the Jubilee.

In a normal year we expect revenues of around $20000 available to, so we effectively have an extra $7500 a year for each of the next two years.

So we can spend $27500 this year..  Approximate spending allocation is:

• Marketing $8000
• Communications (email) $2000
• Website $6000
• Database enhancement $4000
• Community events $3000
• Jubilee $1000
• Contingency $3500

Summary

2008 – the reincarnation of the Old Boys as Westlakers.

New blood, new image, and new voice.

2009 was a tough year, getting new activities underway and established on our calendar.

2010 is the turnaround. We are now starting to build on the foundations. We have the tools, we have financial resources, and we have enthusiastic people.

2011 is the year we must make significant tangible progress.

2012 will be the year we can show it off and share it with many Westlakers.

We will need even greater efforts from the Committee and others.

I want to say thank you to many people who have made this progress possible - The Committee.

Special mention to Andrew and his team at Nami for the web site.

Annie Greenheld for her patience, sense of humour, French lessons and drinks.

Vicki Fowler for ongoing guidance and support. And the strong and valuable link with the Foundation and the Board of Trustees.

Ant for the benefit of his experience and volunteering to lead our recruitment drive.

Lester for capturing our moments.

Robbie for his high energy, free advice and four business cards.

James for walking around the Lake, and organising a Bevy for his mates.

Jamal and Tyler for getting their mates together, sausages, and keeping us a bit younger.

And Rick for a fridge or two, a great connection with the school, and finding our socks.

John Russell for surviving his first year as Life Member, and doing the accounts.

And of course The Board of Trustees themselves – Graham Darlow and his board have been continued to be fantastic supporters of Westlakers.

David Fergusson. Congratulations again from Westlakers – we really look forward to working with you.

Thank you.

We look forward to a busy year with more progress in Westlaker membership and friendship, and work starting on theJubilee in 2012.

Greig Buckley

Passion and skill at sailing have earned a young yachtie an inaugural Sir Peter Blake award.

Former Westlake Boys High School student, Jono Spurdle (19) is the first recipient of the yachting leadership award granted by the Sir Peter Blake Trust.

He has been part of the youth programme at the Royal Yacht Squadron for the past four years.  He beat 32 other sailing stars to win the award in recognition of his outstanding and inspirational leadership skills.

Jono was his school's sailing captain and sailed at Wakatere Boating Club for four years before changing to keel boat racing and joining the Squadron's youth programme.

The busy sailor, who has a place on a future America's Cup boat in his sights, was unable to accept the award in person because he was overseas.  Instead, his proud parents, Glen and Sharon, accepted it on his behalf.  He was busy match racing in Korea as part of a world tour qualifying event with his team, Full Metal Jacket Racing sponsored by Chris Meades.

Jono, who began his sailing career at Wakatere Boating Club, has also competed in Australia, Denmark and Spain this year.  He is heading back to Perth for another competition later this year.

When he is back home in Devonport, Jono is doing a building apprenticeship with RB Watson Builders and is currently helping to renovate a house in Bayswater.

"No-one in my family sails, so it was quite hard for me at the beginning" he said.  "Next year, I am looking forward to doing more world team events."

Story courtesy of The Devonport Flagstaff 28/05/10

Tommy Smith (WBHS 2003-2006) always wanted to be a footballer, moving from the Bay of Plenty with his family just so he could attend the Sports Institute at Westlake Boys High School.  It is typical of Tommy that he made time this week to speak with current Sports Institute students, following the announcement that he had made the All Whites team bound for the World Cup in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July this year.

Tommy was talented enough to make the 1^st XI Football team when he was in 4^th form, and the team went on to win the National tournament that year.  The following year, Tommy was made captain of the 1^st XI and the team went on to win the Auckland Schools Cup.  During the Q&A session this week, one student asked Tommy if he could recall his best goal ever.  Tommy responded that his favourite to date was in that Auckland Secondary Schools Cup final.

On the Cambridge pathway at school, Tommy was half way through his 6^th form year, when he was offered a contract with Ipswich Town Football Club in England.  The students were captivated when Tommy spoke about how he was then picked to play for the England U17 team and this gave him a taste of playing top level football.  But, unfortunately, a serious injury in training the following season, put him out for quite some time afterward.

Tommy’s ultimate goal is to play in the premier league, preferably at centre back. And as always, the students were very interested to hear how lucrative football can be when you are playing at the highest level.  Tommy admitted to driving a Mercedes and revealed that he “wasn’t starving”.  However, he did elaborate on how the system works saying that you start with a basic salary and receive bonuses for winning games when you are in the reserves.  From there it is a big jump to the first team but you really have to work to get there.

One of the audience members, who remembered Tommy at school, noted that he had excellent heading skills even then, and his left foot was strong.  He asked Tommy if he also practiced with his right foot and if the team were 1-0 down in the last minute, would he be comfortable using this foot.  “Absolutely.” answered Tommy.  “I remember even when I was at school I would go to training then go home and practice every night in the rumpus room with a small ball.  Attitude and training are the most important attributes you can have if you want to be successful.  And if you practice with a small ball, then play with a larger one, it seems so much easier.”

 When asked by one student if being a bit smaller makes any difference when playing football, Tommy replied that “Ability is the most important.  If you are good enough, you will get in the team.”

Tommy’s favourite memories of Westlake Boys High School were the Sports Institute classes.  “They were high in intensity at a quick, hard pace.  They had to be to get the optimum benefit from the training.”  Tommy also played cricket and volleyball while at school, and thinks he may have played a bit of table tennis as well.  When asked about his beep test results, he responded that his best at school was 11.12.  However, more recently his PB was 14.4.

Tommy was questioned about his diet and he sheepishly admitted that he’d just been to the pie shop on his way to school.  However, he does have a dietician and nutritionist who give him guidelines.  In the days leading up to games, it is recommended that more carbohydrates are consumed, and that hydration is kept high.  When pushed for a response regarding his favourite meal before a game, Tommy said he usually had spaghetti bolognaise around 3 hours prior.

 He is looking forward to being a part of the World Cup and getting to know his other team members.  Next week Tommy will play Australia at the MCG in Melbourne, which holds a capacity crowd up to 100,000.  He’s getting used to being focused on the game in front of a big crowd, having recently played against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles with a crowd of 90,000 watching (and Tommy says they had the best changing rooms he’s ever been in).

At the conclusion of the Q&A session with the students, Tommy presented the school an Ipswich Town playing shirt.  He also autographed a football, which was handed to a  4^th former, and team manager, John Lee, who had asked the most questions during the afternoon.

Annie Greenheld - Westlakers