On Monday morning, Zaela Powrie, Katie Blackburn, Maisie Bennie-Steel, Maddie Eastgate and Mr Aaron attended a breakfast event at the Christchurch Town Hall promoting the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.

This is the largest women’s sporting event that New Zealand has ever hosted, with the games kicking off in Auckland when New Zealand play Norway on the 20 July.

The girls were treated to a delicious breakfast and then listened to a range of inspirational speakers. The session started with a mihi whakatau and waiata from Ngai Tahu representatives, and continued with Lesley Murdoch acting as MC inviting a range of guest speakers including record international caps holder Kristine Lilley (twice Olympic Gold medalist); Maia Jackman (NZ Football Fern); Melissa Ruscoe (dual international with the Football Ferns and the Black Ferns); Gemma McCaw (3 time NZ Hockey Olympian); Todd Astle (Black Cap and record Canterbury wicket taker in Men’s Cricket) and Ged Robinson (Canterbury Sports Development Programme Manager at Tatai Whetu Waitaha). All of the speakers talked about the inspirational coaches and players they have worked with over the years, about how to overcome challenging times and about how to keep a positive mindset when working both inside and outside of sporting life.

The students returned to school tired but inspired, and ready to take what they have learned into the second half of their seasons.

By Jason Aaron