Here are current and upcoming sports notices and events.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

● Good luck to the 140 students we have competing in the inaugural MAC Adventure Race this weekend.

● Good luck to our Year 9/10 girls volleyball team who are competing in the Central Otago Junior Volleyball Competition on Thursday afternoons for the next four weeks. 

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

15 October - MAC Adventure Race

19 October - 4 week Central Otago Junior Volleyball Tournament starts

25 October - Sports Awards Evening

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

10 November - Central Otago Intermediate Schools Golf Final - Lawrence

15 November - Central Otago Primary Schools Triathlon Champs

22 November - Queenstown Central Otago Primary Schools Orienteering

1 December - Championships 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

TOUCH RUGBY

The Central Otago Year 9/10 Touch Rugby competition is on this term and we are entering some MAC teams. This is a really fun competition and it’s a great opportunity to get involved in the sport. There will be both boys and girls teams.

When: Games will be held on Tuesday afternoons for 4 weeks from the 31 October - 28 November (there are no games on Tuesday 14 November).

Where: Games are held at school fields around Central Otago. There will be some games in Wānaka and you will also travel to some games in Queenstown, Cromwell, etc.

Trials will be held to select the teams at lunchtime this Friday (13 October) and Tuesday next week (17 October). Please get changed quickly into your PE uniform at the start of lunch and head up to the field ready to go.

RUGBY

Mount Aspiring College is excited to announce open applications for several voluntary rugby coaching and management positions within our rugby program. We invite passionate individuals to join our team and contribute to the development and success of our rugby players.

The available positions are as follows:

- First XV Rugby Coach

- Colts Rugby Coach

- U14 Rugby Coach

- First XV Girls Rugby Coach

- First XV Rugby Manager

- Colts Rugby Manager

- U14 Rugby Manager

- First XV Girls Rugby Manager

If you are interested in any of these roles, please download the full job description from our website: https://mtaspiring.school.nz/jobs-at-mac/

To apply, kindly submit a letter that includes:

- Your coaching qualifications

- Coaching philosophy

- Previous rugby coaching experience

Please email your applications to sandei@mtaspiring.school.nz.

Applications close on 24 October, 2023.

We encourage you to take part in this exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of rugby at Mount Aspiring College. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Sport, Ignacio Sande, at 03 443 049 or via email at sandei@mtaspiring.school.nz. 

MULTISPORT

The Challenge Wānaka Multisport event is being held on 28 October. It involves a kayak, mountain bike and trail run. The secondary school age categories include individuals, teams and a duathlon option. Please note that the secondary school team athletes must be 16 years of age or older on 17 February 2024.

For more information on the event check out these links: Event Details, Pricing Information, cut off dates etc 

SPORTS RESULTS

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The champions from the 2023 Secondary School National MTB Champs have been crowned!

In the second week of the school holidays, Blenheim hosted races in three MTB disciplines for the 2023 Secondary School National Mountain Bike Championships. Competitors could enter Cross Country (XC), Downhill (DH) and Enduro. To be eligible for the overall title, competitors must have entered all three events.

Marlborough MTB Club put in an epic effort to provide challenging yet well-tailored trails to suit the level of ability you would expect to be displayed at a national secondary school event. The cross country course was worthy of the best riders in NZ – providing doubles, rubble, roots and off camber trails.

Here are the results:

XC Class Place

Max Bagley U16 Boys 13th

Finn Woolley U16 Boys 26th

Ruby Smith U16 Girls 6th

Olive Wooley U14 Girls 5th

Paige Boomsma U13 Girls DNS

The downhill proved very eventful for our MAC team. Riders are always on the edge of their abilities, chasing the limit down feature filled trails. Some kissed the dirt and others demonstrated the art of flight. The dirt dried out in the hot wind, revealing sharp rocks that devoured many tyres. MAC representatives were fearless and laid it all on the line. Paige broke her wrist in practice after a nasty OTB (over the bars) but was a good sport – staying to support and cheer at the XC race. Toby defied death, casing the A line finish line gap on practice day, somehow walking away unscathed. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about his rear wheel. Quick problem solving by his dad meant he got to race the finals.

Results as follows:

DH Class Place

Paige Boomsma U13 Girls DNS

Olive Wooley U14 Girls 7th

Toby Hartnell U13 Boys 19th

Ryan Hartnell U15 Boys 12th

Milo O’Brien U15 Boys 54th

Finn Woolley U16 Boys 25th

Bede Laming U16 Boys 57th

Ruby Smith U16 Girls 3th

The enduro race resembled a square dance with girls starting on stage 3 and boys starting at 1. The hills were decent, all riders had to ride to the start of each stage and from there, get down the hill as quick as they could before heading off to the next stage. Tracks were a mix of tech and flow. Something for everyone with roots, off camber, doubles, rocks. I was impressed with the fitness of the MAC riders. A whole week of practicing various courses, racing 100% each day, with the longest day saved for last. Results as follows:

Enduro Class Place

Toby Hartnell U13 Boys 15th

Olive Wooley U14 Girls 9th

Ryan Hartnell U15 Boys 10th

Paige Boomsma U13 Girls DNS

Milo O’Brien U15 Boys 59th

Finn Woolley U16 Boys 20th

Bede Laming U16 Boys 19th

Ruby Smith U16 Girls 5th

Cam Anderson U20 Boys 1st

Overall New Zealand Secondary School Standings

Olive Wooley U14 Girls 5th

Ruby Smith U16 Girls 2nd

Finn Woolley U16 Boys 14th

The entire team punched well above their weight last week, doing MAC proud. The level of the competitors at this event was remarkable, and our riders proved themselves amongst some of New Zealand’s best. Special congratulations must go to our two podium winners - Cam Anderson for his outstanding result of 1st in New Zealand in the U20 Enduro event and also to Ruby Smith for her huge effort of finishing 2nd overall in New Zealand across all three disciplines. Absolutely fantastic results!

Report by Trish Wrigley

EQUESTRIAN

15 year old Mount Aspiring College student Sophie Emma Fountain is competing at the highest level of ESNZ (Equestrian Sports New Zealand) Pony Showjumping.

This year she has competed at many South Island competitions and at Nationals. Sophie also represented New Zealand in Brazil in August on a borrowed mount called King of Day. She won 2 medals when she placed 3rd and 4th in the 1-1.10m in the Sao Paulo State Championships Category.

In the 2022/23 season Sophie's mounts were Tonic (Benrose Starlight), Lucky (Just Lucky) and Memphis (Graceland) - ponies have paddock names and show names. At a show each pony competes in 1-3 rounds a day. Tonic competed in the South Island Mini Prix Series (1.10-1.20) - this was a tough competition as it is based over results over 23 weekends of competition, Lucky competed in the Equilise 1-1.10 series and won the Southland 1.10 Championship Title, Memphis had a great season winning classes up to 1.10m

Sophies 2023/24 ESNZ Season started on Saturday 30 September 2023. So far this season she has won both her Mini Prix rounds - but the goal this season is Grand Prix which is the highest level of pony competition in NZ for under 17 year olds. Sophie is excited to step up and started her training months ago at Waterfall Equestrian. In September Sophie attended the South Island Young Rider Camp which is a camp by invitation only, all U25 riders need to be jumping 1.10m+ for ponies 1.20+ for horses, 20 riders are chosen for the camp from their previous season's results.

This season Sophie is looking forward to Nationals and all going well would love to compete at HOY( Horse Of The Year) in Hawkes Bay in March 2024.

One of Sophie's highlights this year was competing at the Wanaka A&P Show where Tonic won the 1.10 Classes. "It was so great to be able to compete at our local show", this is Sophie's only local show and all of her other competitions she travels anywhere from 2.5 - 7 hours to get to every weekend. Another highlight from the 2022/23 season was winning Day 2 Rounds B and C at Nationals 1-1.10m on her pony Lucky.

"I'm really excited for the season, I've trained hard and I feel lucky to have the support of my family, coaches, school and community".

ICE SKATING

Congratulations to MAC Year 7 student Matilda Verbeck who recently competed at the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships in Dunedin where she was awarded first place in the Juvenile U12 category.

Matilda, who is now New Zealand’s Juvenile Under 12 Champion, says she loves all aspects of ice skating.

“I love performing, mastering new jumps and spins, learning routines and setting goals and achieving them.

“Next year I’m hoping to make New Zealand’s international team and eventually go on to compete at the International Skating Union Junior Grand Prix.”

Matilda’s commitment to her training and to developing her skills as an ice skater are a great example of our school value of Ihi.

Congratulations Matilda - everyone at MAC is very proud of you!

GYMNASTICS

The AIMS Games is an annual sporting event held in Tauranga, New Zealand. In 2023, the tournament attracted close to 200 schools with 11,000 students competing in a multitude of sports from Gymnastics, Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Sailing to Indoor Bowls. This is the biggest sporting event for 11-13 year olds in New Zealand. Many Pacific Island schools attended this year's event, making it the biggest yet.

Representing Mount Aspiring College in Gymnastics for 2023 was Lucy Wellington, Charlie Nisbet (Year 8) and Dean Coll (Year 7). It was such a wonderful experience to compete against some of the best athletes in the nation and also to experience North Island culture. We attended one of 2 evening opening ceremonies, each with 5,000 school kids singing, dancing and experiencing an amazing Kapa Haka performance by Tauranga Intermediate.

Dean Coll, competed in the open junior boys placing very 4th overall (4th Pommel, 4th Floor, 3rd Vault, 2nd Parallel bars). Well done Dean!

Charlie Nisbet stepped up a grade for this year’s event, to the Open Junior advanced Boys, competing against national level lads for the first time. Charlie was happy with his performance at this level for the first time, placing 7th Vault and 7th Parallel bars. He’s super motivated to train and do more gymnastics as a result.

Lucy Wellington competed in the tough open junior advanced girls. Lucy placed 18th in beam with an impressive 13th place on vault in a field of 50 competitors. Congratulations Lucy.

Dean and Charlie both stepped outside of their comfort zone in two gymnastics sports that they don’t train in and signed up for the Novice Boys Trampoline, Double Mini Tramp and Tumbling. In the trampoline and double mini trampoline event with combined scores Dean placed 3rd overall and Charlie placed 2nd overall. Charlie also placed 4th in Tumbling.

We are so proud of their gymnastic achievements. Congratulations team and thank you to their coaches at Aspiring Gymsports, Ranan and Rae, for putting in the extra time for the AIMS preparation. It was an awesome experience for the team, and they’ve come back even more motivated to train for and compete at the Gymnastics New Zealand Nationals, October 2024 in Palmerston North.

Written by Colleen Nisbet.

KORU GAMES

In the last week of term 3 the Year 8A netball team travelled to Christchurch to compete in the South Island Koru Games. Over 2800 Year 7/8’s from 61 schools came from all over the South Island to compete in 16 sports. The netball competition was a tough one with 32 teams and three games to be played each day for three days. However, the MAC girls took it in their stride and played some amazing netball. With 5 wins and only one fiercely fought narrow loss to Hillview in pool play, they ended up in the quarter finals against a really skilled Ohoka team. Our team played the game of their lives - shutting down their flow through the court and with outstanding defence they managed to keep the score close throughout most of the game. Unfortunately, they just couldn’t quite hold on and we lost by seven points at full time - such a great effort though, especially as Ohoka went on to win the whole competition! This put us into the playoffs for 5th-8th and they finished off the tournament really strongly, ending up convincingly in 5th place - which they are so proud of.

It is only the second time that MAC has ever taken a team to the Koru Games and what an awesome experience it was. The whole week was outstanding - the 'inclusivity' ethos of the tournament, the new friends made, and the skills gained will stay with them a lifetime. A huge thank you to the coaches Lisa Gemmell and Claire Radford, our lovely team umpire Kelly Wright and our awesome team manager Amanda Dorset - without you all, this would not have been possible.

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.

TOUCH RUGBY

The Wānaka Junior Touch Rugby season kicks off on Monday 23 October. Head to www.sporty.co.nz/wanakajuniortouch for more details and to register your teams/individuals.

ATHLETICS

The Aspiring Athletics Club are taking registrations for the 2023/2024 season. For more information and to register please see their website: https://www.aspiringathletes.nz/

There are also two great athletics opportunities for both students and parents happening THIS SUNDAY. See flyers below for more information.

CRICKET

Registrations for the 2023/2024 season are now open. For more information and to register please use this link for the Wānaka Cricket Club website: https://wanakacricketclub.co.nz/junior-club/

GOLF

Please see the flyer below for junior golf and the different groups available.

DUATHLON

Peak Endurance - Strength and Endurance Training

Peak Endurance Wanaka are 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.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The Dean's Bank 6 Hour is back, this time shorter, faster, 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.