We chat to the first team rugby captain of Paul Roos Gymnasium-Seth Paterson. Read the special edition for the Classic Clash between Paul Roos vs Grey College here. It’s packed with team photos, interviews, and all the action. 

Seth Paterson

What has pre-season been like for this team, and what has it revealed about the character, attitude and commitment of the squad?Pre-season training with the team was probably some of the most fun I’ve had, hockey-wise, this year. It showed us our potential and truly what we could achieve this season. We went to a festival in March, Coastal Cup, and lost our first game against DHS. Seeing the boys bounce back and take the loss as a learning moment rather than something to sulk about was truly a highlight for me, it really emphasised the emotional maturity of the boys and their immense love for their school, by putting their egos aside, and their immense love for the team, by sticking together.

What makes this year’s first team different from previous teams, and why should supporters be excited to watch you play this season?The brand of hockey we play. As professional as we are with how many sessions we have and the way we train. This team is just a bunch of boys who love the game and want to have fun. And thats something thats truly evident on the field, the way the ball moves, seeing everyone smile and laugh, seeing everything come together, its truly just a joy to watch as a spectator and supporter.

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What goes through your mind in the moments before you step onto the court or field wearing your school colours, and what does that opportunity mean to you personally? Representing Paul Roos and captaining the first team is something i cherish very close to my heart. When I put the Maroon jersey over my head i get filled with a sense of pride for my school for the legacy left behind. But beyond that, seeing the men that i get to step out onto the turf with fills me with emotions of love and confidence. Knowing how hard these guys have worked to get to where they are now and knowing how much it means to them is truly inspiring to me. Captaining this team and leading them onto the field is a great honour and something I’ll never take for granted.

Every strong team has its own identity – how would you describe your team’s playing style, attitude and overall spirit?  I would describe us as a team who purely just loves and enjoy the game. We are a family, and we believe that without a strong team culture, talent is inferior. Our play style is fast, exciting hockey which keeps spectators hooked and keeps the game electric.

What standard have you and your team set for yourselves this season, beyond simply winning matches? We set a goal to rather focus on playing to our standard rather than focusing on winning. We believe that we are good enough to beat any opponent when we play to our standards, and if we lose while playing to our standards then we shake our opponents hands and congratulate them as we know we haven’t sold ourselves short.

Which fixture stands out most on the calendar for you, and what makes that match especially important to the team? Definitely the fixtures against SACS, number 1 vs number 2 in the country is always an exciting game. And then the Grey fixture against Grey Bloem at the end of the year, it’s an amazing opportunity for the Matrics to end their year off on a packed Maties A astro.

Who in this squad do you think could surprise people this season, and what makes that person a player to watch? Everyone in this team has the capability to stand out this season.

What does being part of this sport at your school teach players that goes beyond the game itself? It teaches resilience, it teaches the boys to believe in themselves. And it teaches hard work, nothing can be earned without putting in the necessary effort for it and thats what these boys do. No short cuts.

As captain, what kind of leader do you want to be for your team this season, and what example do you hope to set?  I want to be seen as a leader who has put his players needs and aspirations ahead of his own. I want to be known as a leader who lead in a Christ-like way and made an impact far deeper than just a player-captain bond.

When people watch your team play this year, what do you hope they will say about the group afterwards?  “They love this game.”