MAC SPORTS
Here are current and upcoming sports notices and events.
Sports Calendar: Term 4, 2023
The term calendar is an overview of the sports events that are happening this term. If you have any questions about any upcoming events, please come and see Ignacio and Claire at the Sports Hub or email us at sports@mtaspiring.school.nz
31 October - 4 week Central Otago Junior Touch Competition starts
4/5 November - Junior Volleyball Championships - Dunedin
4/5 November - Junior Apples Basketball Tournament - Queenstown
9 November - Central Otago Adaptive Sport Swimming Day - Cromwell
10 November - Central Otago Intermediate Schools Golf Final - Lawrence
22 November - Central Otago Primary Schools Triathlon Champs - Queenstown
29 November - Queenstown Central Otago Primary Schools Orienteering Championships
1 December - Smash 5 Junior Girls Cricket tournament - Cromwell
8-10 December - NZSS Athletic Champs - Christchurch
Extra Info: The following websites / pages have detailed information regarding sport and competition the latest updates regarding school sport:
http://www.osssa.org.nz/ (Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association Inc.)
https://www.schoolsportnz.org.nz/ (School Sport New Zealand)
https://sportnz.org.nz/ (Sport New Zealand)
SPORTS NOTICES
HEAD INJURIES AND MENTAL HEALTH
Head injuries management and mental health are both very topical at the moment. Sport Central is bringing a presentation to Wānaka to help unwrap some of the mystery around these two topics. Come and hear three informative speakers in this one-hour session. Food and drinks will be served, entry is free but RSVP is required. For more information go to Sport Central’s facebook page. To register phone Jo Knight on 0272329390 or email her at jknight@sportotago.co.nz.
SPORTS RESULTS
SPORTS AWARDS
On Wednesday night the inaugural MAC Sports Awards evening was held and we recognised and celebrated 163 of our top performing athletes and sports teams. The event involved students from Years 7-13 and it celebrated their achievements this year.
Here is a full list of the awards which were presented.
RUGBY
This year MAC Rugby had a number of players chosen to represent the region in a variety of teams including U18, U16 and girls U16 .
U18 Boys Otago Country
The squad, selected from secondary schools across the region, included Tom Sides, Jonty Keenan, George Lister, Jackson Clark and Kalan Nichol from Mount Aspiring College and was a great learning experience for all those involved.
Games involved competing against teams from Otago Metro U17, North Otago and Otago Metro U18 followed by Southland Metro. While the Otago Country team didn’t come away with any wins, Tom Sides commented: “It was a positive experience, and all of us came out of it better rugby players than we went into it. Having taken on some expert advice and learning from our losses, I can say on behalf of all of us that we can build into next year with some enthusiasm and determination. Bring on 2024!”
U16 Boys Otago Country
The team selected from Mount Aspiring College included Charlie Roy, Ryan Enoka, Sam Soper, Cody Gemmell and Jack Labes. They played a selection of Otago teams winning every grading game prior to the New Zealand South Island U16’s tournament in Ashburton. Charlie Roy commented: “A highlight for the team was beating Otago Metro for the first time in 12 years”. Heading into the tournament in Ashburton the team was confident though came up short of expectations against both Nelson and Ellesmere. They were able to finish on a high, beating Mid-Canterbury on the final day.
U16 Girls Otago Country
Prior to her selection in the representative team, Kiana Babbington had a season playing for a combined MAC/Queenstown mix which included regular training over the hill and games further afield. The Girls Otago Country involved a huge commitment from Kiana and reflecting on the experience Kiana said: “I definitely will try again next year, as I learnt lots of new things. I would say a main highlight during the season was seeing how well the girls worked as a team”.
Following the conclusion of these competitions the following boys also played for:
Otago Country U17 Māori: Jackson Clark, Ryan Enoka, Lachlan Hay, Jonty Keenan. With Jackson Clark being named Forward of the year, and Ryan Enoka being named Best and Fairest Player of the year for this team
Otago Country U15 Māori: Cory Enoka, Jimmy Cooper
MAC ADVENTURE RACE
The first ever MAC Adventure Race was held last week and we had over 140 students taking part. The teams had a great and challenging time tackling the course. The results have now been collated taking into account times and checkpoints gained/missed and here are the top teams for 2023:
Years 7 - 9 Competitive Section
1st Place - Marshall Watson, Cooper Norman, Fleur Jansen, Georgia Beale
2nd Place - Liv Fairmaid, Maddie Smith, Catie Pascoe, Sam Irvine
3rd Place - Monte Halliday, Zac Sedon, Ivy Adams, Lynda Jayne
4th Place - Ally Gray, Sam Taylor, Max Mclean, Scarlett Henshall
Honourable mention
Charlie Whipp, Harry Dickson, Harper Norman who competed in the Social grade
Years 10 - 13 Competitive
1st Place - Thomas Benson, Lauri Holonen, Eve Flint, Maddie Parkin
2nd Place - Tom Sides, Millie East, Eva Gilbertson, Zavier Taylor
3rd place - Sam Beale, Tyler Gawn, Lucy Radford, Lola Ritchie
COMMUNITY SPORTS NOTICES
These activities are all run externally (not through MAC), but they are aimed at our students, so we don’t want you to miss out. If you have any questions about the activities listed below, please contact the appropriate club/organiser and they will be able to help you.
ATHLETICS
The Aspiring Athletics Club is taking registrations for the 2023/2024 season. For more information and to register please see their website: https://www.aspiringathletes.nz/
DUATHLON
There is just one week until online entries close to the Shotover Primary School Duathlon. There are over 40 spot prizes up for grabs at this amazing fundraiser for an adaptive swing and sensory equipment for the community.
Sign up today and your child could be walking away with one of the prizes including the following:
Bungy Jump or Zipline thanks to AJ Hackett Bungy Jump Queenstown, NZ
Family pass to Odyssey Sensory Maze Queenstown
Go Karting thanks to Highlands - Experience the Exceptional
The Remarkable Sweet Shop Queenstown voucher or fudge box
Jet Boat ride thanks to RealNZ
The Crown Pub & Beer Garden vouchers
Reading Cinema Queenstown movie vouchers
SITE Trampoline voucher
Basecamp Adventures vouchers
Sign them up to the GJ Gardner Homes Duathlon before the 1st November
$5 for preschoolers and $20 for 5-13 year olds.
Team option as well - $35
Entries available on the day for an additional $5.
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../shot.../queenstown-lakes...
Peak Endurance: strength and endurance training
Peak Endurance Wānaka is offering 2 different training groups for high school students in Term 4.
The first session is a run group on Tuesdays at 3:30pm from the MAC field. The cost is $172.50 per term, and the registration link can be found on valburke.com.
This group is for people of all ages and experience; each week there are options for beginners all the way up to students who want to race athletics. If someone wants to get fitter for their team sport, this is a good option for them too!
The second session is a strength group at Peak Endurance gym on Thursday 6:45am-7:45am. It costs $201 per term and the registration page can also be found at valburke.com. This class is also for all levels and students with a range of interests - high performance in a specific sport, or just learning how to get stronger.
CRICKET
Otago Country Cricket is now taking expressions of interest for their age group teams for the upcoming season.
They have quite a few pre-festival games scheduled and are keen to get a feeling for how many players are interested and to ensure that they do their best to cater for all who are interested.
If you are interested please complete this form: Registration of Interest for OCC Age Group Teams.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
The Dean's Bank 6 Hour is back, this time it's shorter, faster, and more fun! Ride with a team of up to 4 (taking turns) around a 10km single track loop - Dean's Bank or ride it solo in a 3 or 6 hour category. We have special pricing for youth and loads of spot prizes to give away.
Teams - each person is to register and pay the entry fee individually, and enter your team name in the entry form.
Enter here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=317044
BIKETOBER 2023
What: Biketober is a Get SMART / Wao initiative, a month-long festival dedicated to strengthening the community's love of bikes and developing an active transport culture.
When: 1-31 October 2023 (kick-off festival is Sat 30 Sept)
Where: throughout Queenstown Lakes District and further afield
What is it all about?
Wao Aotearoa and Get SMART, Get Moving bring Biketober back this October for its second year. For all ages and the whole community, Biketober is about getting on your bike, giving it a go and sharing your love for cycling.
Local businesses and community groups within the Southern Lakes and Central Otago have come together to bring us an action-packed month of bike events. So whether you are based in Wānaka, Queenstown, Alexandra, Roxburgh or Glenorchy, we have an event for you.
LUGING
Hunter Burke is a former MAC student who is representing New Zealand in the luge at the 2024 Junior World Championships. These will take place in February 2024 in Lillehammer, Norway on the luge track used for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. A quiz night is being run to fundraise to help get him there. See the flyer below for more details.
