Redhill’s golden goalkeeper leads team to historic Aitken Cup promotion
Redhill rises from underdogs to champions, and we talked to the thespian goalie who helped make it happen.
Redhill School has carved its name into hockey history with a landmark win in the Aitken Cup B section, earning a well-deserved promotion to the A section for the first time.
Leading the charge from the back was none other than Drew Harrison, the team’s goalkeeper, whose performance in the final shootout has earned him the title of the unstoppable goalkeeper.
In a nail-biting finish against Linden High, the match ended in a 1–1 draw, moving into 8-second penalty shootouts, the ultimate test of nerves and precision.
Harrison rose to the occasion, making critical saves that clinched the victory. “I was not nervous because I had a weird sense of confidence that we could pull off the win. We’d already gone further than we ever had before, so, I knew we had nothing to lose.”
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He added that after he saved the first two shots, and saw his teammates Christian Thomas and Christopher Murray score, he could feel that they were almost there. “Saving that final shot just sealed it.”
Harrison said this historic win has been years in the making, and he couldn’t be prouder to be part of the team that finally made it happen. “This was a massive team effort. Every single player deserved that gold medal. Redhill has been building towards this moment for years, and I’m honoured to be a part of the team that got us there.”
Harrison exulted his years of training, both on and off the field, for his readiness during the high-stakes match. “I have been under the mentorship of Redhill coaches Justin Rosenberg and Nkosinathi Masango, and I play with the Morningside Country Club Men’s team under the guidance of Julian Hykes.”
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He said playing with those adults sharpened his skills. “I also see a sports psychologist regularly to work on visualisation and staying calm under pressure. All of that helped me stay focused during the shootout.”
What makes this Redhill team stand out, says Harrison, is its unity and humility. “There are no big stars. No egos. We are a family. Everyone works hard, supports each other, and just wants the team to succeed. That’s the spirit of Redhill.”
Harrison doesn’t just lead on the field, he also starred in the school’s major theatre production, Little Shop of Horrors, during the hockey season. Balancing both roles required serious commitment. “It was tough, but I had huge support from Mr Joseph Gerassi and Mr Justin Rosenberg. They helped make it possible for me to keep doing what I love, whether that was performing on stage or defending the goalposts. Honestly, my days were filled with all the things I love, so, it was fun.”
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Harrison pointed out that both theatre and sport have taught him resilience. “Whether you mess up a line on stage or let in a soft goal, you learn to forgive yourself and keep going. There’s always another chance to do better.”
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