Athletics, Triathlon, Biking, Tennis, Basketball, Cricket and Football

Athletics

Last week I was privileged to be the Canterbury Primary Schools’ Athletics Championships at the new Sports Hub, Nga Puna Wai. It took my breath away as I drove in to brand new hockey turfs, the athletics track, viewing banks, grandstands, tennis court developments and so much more underway. It is part of our city’s healing journey and is a reward for many patient years of waiting – a stadium, 50m pool, and 5 basketball courts yet to come!

Our 14 athletes represented the School in 18 events. It is a huge step up to be competing with 40 others in each event, who are all good. To get a placing is a fantastic achievement and to say you made the top 10 of Canterbury is something to be proud of.

Xanthe Jane ran a masterful 1200m winning by a closing 3m thus completing a stellar year of success on the track and in cross country.

Kalio Fungavaka won his year 7 shot put and made the finals of his 100m sprint placing about 6th. Sienna Watson placed 3rd in the 50m sprints and was 4th in the year 7 girls’ high jump. Rosa Wheeler made her sprint finals placing 4th or 5th too. Murphy Howard placed 5th in the year 6 boys’ long jump running into a fierce nor’west wind.

Zack Lappin continues to improve on his personal bests in discus and shot put winning both. He has recently moved into Saturday Club athletics with some of our other students. Zack placed 3rd in his 50m.

Triathlon

We were wonderfully represented by 9 gutsy students at the Canterbury Triathlon recently. It was a wet, windy cold day for them to be swimming in the Pegasus Lake and to then try and work straps and buckles while their hands were white with cold. Congratulations to them all and especially to Kirsty Watts who won the Year 7 girl’s event. Well done Cohan, Josh, Rylind, Campbell, Luke, Daniel, Kyle and Mitchel.

Biking

We were lucky to have Ben Oliver visit the year 5 – 8 students recently. He talked to them about what it means to be competing with the best in the world and shared his goals. Ben answered many questions and then presented the trophies from the recent Rakahuri Blast.

Tennis

The School competition came to a close yesterday, around rain showers. Students organised and umpired matches over 5 weeks – thank you to Max, Ed, Josh, Hamish, Riley A, Maddy, Tayla and many others who assisted with umpiring.

The results of the competition are:

Boys’ singles: Ed Davidson, runner up Max Walsh

Girls’ singles: Maddison Smart, runner up Tayla Smart

Girls’ Doubles: Tayla & Maddison Smart, runner up Ariel Cuthbertson & Meagan Husband

Boys’ Doubles: Max Walsh & Josh Silcock, runner up Ed Davidson & Brayden McLeod

Mixed Doubles: Tayla Smart & Ed Davidson, runner up Max Walsh & Maddison Smart

Basketball

Friday saw our 4 teams competing in the finals of their sections. The year 5/6 Bulls team won their section, the 5/6 Thunder placed 3rd, the 7/8 placed 2nd in their section and the 7/8 Flames won their last game in the top section of the competition. Thanks to all the coaches and managers who have supported our teams throughout the year.

Representative Sport

Cricket

Henry Cuthbertson and Brayden McLeod continue to play in representative games as well as frustrating Mrs B who doesn’t seem able to hit their bowls!

Brayden made the year 7 North Canterbury Rep. Team and Henry made the year 8 North Canterbury Development Team and will also be playing for the West Coast team in the January Representative Tournament in January.

Football

Xanthe Jane has just been selected for the Mainland Pride Football development programme for next year and at the weekend got the cross country athlete of the year from North Canterbury Athletics Club.