A group of excited MAC students headed up the hill on Wednesday for the MAC Ski & Board Champs.

Sports Calendar:  Term 3, 2024

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 Laura, Claire and Di at the Sports Hub or email us at: sports@mtaspiring.school.nz

Term 3

2-4 August - NZSS Squash Championships (Wellington)

5 August - Otago/Southland Ski and Board Championships

6 August - Upper Clutha Swimming Champs (Year 7/8)

17 August - SISS Ski and Board Championships 

22 August - Wakatipu Exchange

28 August - MAC Cross Country Ski Champs

31 August - 8 September - Winter Tournament Week

16 September - Get2Go Adventure Race - Queenstown (Year 9/10)

19/20 September - Trinity College Exchange (Year 7/8)

24-26 September - Koru Games - Christchurch (Year 7/8)

7-10 October - NZSS Mountain Bike Championships - Christchurch

Extra information

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)

Coming up this week: 

• Good luck to the MAC squash team who are competing at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Squash Tournament in Wellington this weekend. 

• Good luck to the 50 Year 7/8 students who are competing in the Upper Clutha Primary School Swimming Champs on Monday. 

• Good luck to our Year 8 Koru Games team who are competing at the Millers Flat Netball Tournament on Saturday. 

SPORTS NOTICES

ADVENTURE RACING

The Central Otago Get2Go Challenge for Years 9/10 students is coming up in Queenstown on Wednesday 11 September. This is a great fun event where teams of 8 represent their schools and compete in challenges which include orienteering, mountain biking and kayaking/stand-up paddle boarding. The challenges are designed for all levels of skill and experience.

The teams of 8 can compete in one of four categories: All Girls, All Boys, Mixed (any gender combination), and Mixed Premier (4 girls and 4 boys). Teams can be a mix of Year 9 and 10 students. Please note that ONLY the teams entered in the Mixed Premier category will be eligible to try and qualify for a place to compete in the National Final in Tongariro 2-6 December.

If you are interested in participating in this event please come and see us at the Sports Hub ASAP as spots are limited and they do fill up fast. You are welcome to make up your own teams, or we can help put teams together.

If you want to find out some more information on the event, have a look here:

https://www.hillaryoutdoors.co.nz/torpedo7-get2go/.

CRICKET

SPORTS RESULTS

We love to hear what our MAC students have been up to in the sporting arena. Please keep us up to date with any news at sports@mtaspiring.school.nz.

RUGBY 

Congratulations to Year 13 student Jackson Clark who was selected for the New Zealand Māori U18 Rugby squad and camp which was held during the recent school holidays. 

Jackson’s selection followed his attendance at a three-day regional camp in Ashburton in April. The regional camp was also attended by MAC Year 12 student Ryan Enoka. Around 500 students attended regional camps so selection for the national Māori U18 squad was very competitive, and was based on both cultural participation and rugby performance. 

MAC 1st XV Rugby coach, Wayne Enoka, who coached at the regional camp, was selected as head coach for Team Rua at the trials, and trialled for a coaching role for the national playing team. 

Congratulations Jackson, Ryan and Wayne!

MAC SKI AND BOARD CHAMPS 

After a huge dump of snow at Cardrona for two days prior, a group of excited MAC students headed up the hill for the MAC Ski & Board Champs 2024. The slopes were deep in fresh snow and the temps were chilly with low visibility.

We managed to complete the banked slalom event with some impressive performances by the students in pretty challenging conditions. Spirits were high but unfortunately the slope style event had to be cancelled as weather conditions did not improve as the day wore on. 

A special shout-out to Oscar Searle for taking some great photos of our students in action, and to the teachers in charge: Nicola Jacobsen, Pete Smalley and Simone Handtschoewercker for getting everyone where they needed to be.

It must also be noted that we can’t run these events without the fantastic support from parents, so thank you to everyone who helped out with course marshalling, student transport and cheering the students on. 

Results: MAC Ski and Board Results 

ROAD CYCLING 

Marshall Watson competed at the South Island Secondary Schools Road Cycling Championships at Ruapuna in Christchurch during the school holidays. He competed in the U16 boys category. 

First up was the Individual time trial of 3.44km, where he got a credible 13th out of 19 athletes. The next day was the 20km road race, where he managed to stick with the surging race pack for about 10km while they dropped 5 other riders, before missing the wheel in front and not being able to regain it. He had one other who missed it at the same time with him, and they cycled home together with a last minute sprint at the finish line. 

RUGBY 

Congratulations

Jacob Field (past MAC student) who has been selected for the Otago U19 wider squad. Noah Purnell and Jack Sides who have been selected into Otago U16 wider squad. 

Fixtures 

The following fixtures have been confirmed for this weekend, Saturday 3 August: 

• MAC Boys 1st XV vs Māruawai/Menzies College 1st XV: to be played at Māruawai College

• MAC Boys Seniors vs Otago Boys HS Senior Red: to be played in Dunedin. 

• MAC Boys Juniors vs Taieri Juniors: to be played in Taieri. 

Good luck to all our MAC Rugby players. 

MAC Rugby Match Report 

MAC Girls 1st XV 

Last Wednesday we had the playoffs for 3rd and 4th against Wakatipu - there was an exciting build up to the game as we had each won one. The game was played with only 13 players due to injury and sickness within the squad.

It was an excellent match and the MAC girls really pulled through. Our defence was so strong and we did an awesome job of making turnovers. The score was 57-12 to MAC resulting in us coming 3rd overall in the competition. Caoimhe converted our tries and did an excellent job. Our tries were scored by Meg, Caoimhe, Alianna, Piper, Kiana and myself. Player of the day was awarded to Alianna Hay and Caoimhe Heath - both had a ripper of a game.

Thanks to everyone for making this season happen, all the girls had a blast and learnt so much through this experience. We really appreciate all the work that was put in behind the scenes by managers, coaches, referees, teachers-in-charge, sponsors and sideline support.

Kate Watson, 1st XV Captain

MAC Boys 1st XV 

Last Saturday, MAC played John McGlashan 2nd XV in Wānaka and came away with a convincing 39-14 win. Right from the start, aggressive carries, dominant defence, and a good speed to set on our pods meant we were on the front foot. A hat trick to Kahlarni Hondelink on the left wing, as well as some strong line defence defined our performance as one where we spread the ball wide, found space effectively and finished our opportunities.

I would like to specially mention Sam Soper, Ryan Enoka, Cody Gemmell, Jack Labes and Jackson Clark, who all received their 1st XV caps on Saturday, meaning they had played 20 games for the MAC 1st XV including 15 starts. They have all worked incredibly hard and are deserving of this acknowledgement for their dedication to our school and 1st XV.

Thanks as always to our supporters, coaches Jason Clarke and Wayne Enoka, as well as our manager Sally Soper and teacher-in-charge of Rugby Belinda Sides. Also, a special thanks and mention to our sponsors.

Tom Sides, 1st XV Captain

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.

MULTISPORT

Early bird registrations for the Challenge Wānaka multi event on Saturday 19 October are open. There is a secondary school category at this event, with opportunities to participate as an individual or team, in a triathlon or duathlon.

Early bird registrations close on Saturday 15 June. 

See the information below and the Challenge Wānaka website for more details. 

RUGBY

Otago Māori Rugby are running a rugby programme for U17 and U15 Māori rangatahi in the lead up to a Te Waipounamu wide tournament held annually in October.

In our region they have the following teams:

U17 Taiohi Ki Uta

U15 Taiohi Ki Uta

They are looking to begin a dedicated Ki Uta Kōhine team as well.

TOUCH RUGBY

ROGAINE

Cromwell College is running a Cromwell Urban Rogaine on 11 August 2024. This fun, family-friendly event that will help raise funds for the Cromwell College First XI football team. Participants will navigate to find as many checkpoints as possible within 3 hours. Registration starts at 9am at Cromwell College. More details on the event and entry information can be found here.