Pakuranga College’s Julius Sailer Leads Auckland to Hockey Glory

A remarkable season for Auckland hockey culminated in a significant victory for the under-18 boys’ A Blue squad, led by German exchange student Julius Sailer. The team clinched the national age-group championship title in Timaru, triumphing over Otago with a score of 5-3. Sailer has showcased his talent on the hockey field since arriving in Auckland in January 2022, quickly establishing a strong partnership with his coach, Clive Daniels, the director of sport at Pakuranga College.

The 18-year-old Sailer, hailing from Stuttgart, began playing hockey at the tender age of three. His recent performance at the national tournament highlighted his skill as a striker, a position he plays for both his school and club teams. Reflecting on the competition, 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. They were just stronger, but it was still good this year.”

Dominance on the Field

Under the guidance of Daniels, Auckland’s team showcased their prowess throughout the tournament, emerging victorious in all matches. “We were quite dominant this year,” said Daniels, highlighting the team’s success against 21 regional representatives. “Last year we had one draw, but this year we beat everyone quite convincingly. In most games on the way to the final, we led by at least four goals.”

The back-to-back championship wins underscore the strength of the Auckland under-18 squad, which previously claimed the title in 2024. The team faced a grueling schedule, playing six matches in just seven days, with only one day off. “I’m definitely happy with the boys. To go back-to-back [as championship winners] is really cool,” added Daniels.

Sailer also plays for the Pakuranga College team in the Auckland secondary schools’ premier hockey league, where he serves as a key player. “It’s been quite hard this year, but we’re doing well for the team we have,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges posed by other strong hockey schools in the region.

A Bright Future Ahead

Daniels characterized the college team as young, noting that half of the players are juniors. “The school team’s doing really well. We’ll be strong for the next couple of years if we hold on to our kids,” he stated. The partnership between Sailer and Daniels extends beyond school competitions; they also compete together for the Howick Pakuranga Club‘s men’s premier side.

Sailer benefits from training alongside seasoned players, including Sam Lane, the top striker in the country, and Blair Tarrant, one of New Zealand’s most-capped players. “He’s learning his trade amongst some really good players,” Daniels commented on Sailer’s progress.

With numerous commitments, Sailer navigates a busy schedule that includes schooling and hockey responsibilities. Some weeks, he participates in six training sessions and three matches. His dedication has not gone unnoticed, as he has also been selected for the Auckland men’s provincial team, making him the youngest player in the squad. “Five guys have just come back from playing in China for New Zealand A. The strong selection panel were all really impressed by Julius,” Daniels noted.

Sailer’s family, who traveled to New Zealand for the under-18 tournament, expressed pride in his achievements. “They’re happy and proud,” Sailer said of their support.

In addition to Sailer’s success, other Pakuranga College students also made their mark at the national championships. Year 12 student Ashley Simango played for the Auckland A girls’ team, which finished fifth, while Year 13 student Finn Miller represented the Auckland B boys’ side, placing 12th.

As the hockey season progresses, Sailer and his teammates look forward to building on their successes, with aspirations for future championships and continued growth in their athletic careers.