Year 12 Girls' 1st XI Captain Ella Cains reflects on leading the team to a second-place finish and a promotion opportunity.

This year we are launching our Captain Spotlight series, recognising the outstanding student leaders who represent Onehunga High School in sport. Our first feature is Year 12 Girls' 1st XI Captain Ella Cains.

Ella has been a member of the Girls' 1st XI since Year 9. She first discovered her passion for football at the age of eight after joining friends at club football and has loved the game ever since. 

Being named captain this season was a proud moment: "Knowing that I was trusted to lead one of our school's top teams meant a lot," Ella said. "It's been a great opportunity to bring the team together and support everyone both on and off the field."

Ella describes her leadership style as leading by example: "I try to stay positive and encourage everyone around me," she said. "I think people perform their best when they know someone believes in them. Leadership isn't about being the loudest person on the field, it's about being someone your teammates can rely on."

The Girls' 1st XI enjoyed an outstanding season, finishing second in the A1 competition and earning the opportunity to play for promotion at the beginning of the 2027 season. Ella believes the team's strong culture was key to its success: "We've learnt each other's strengths, trust each other and genuinely want to work hard for one another. That team chemistry made the biggest difference this season," she said.

Looking ahead to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Tournament, Ella is excited about the challenge ahead: "I'd love to see us make it out of our pool because I genuinely believe we're capable of doing it," she said. "As a team, we want to go as far as we can, compete against some of the best schools in the country and make the most of the experience."

Ella's advice to future OHS footballers is simple: "Believe in yourself, stay positive and enjoy the friendships you build along the way. School football is competitive, but supporting one another is just as important as the results."

With her positive attitude, commitment and ability to bring people together, Ella has led the Girls' 1st XI with commitment and is an outstanding ambassador for Onehunga High School.