Thank you to all the amazing individuals who helped make the 2024 MAC sports programmes a success.

Sports calendar:  Term 4, 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

Extra information

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

THANK YOU

Thank you for a fantastic year of sports – heartfelt appreciation to our teachers in charge, volunteers and parents.

As the school year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing individuals who made the MAC sports programmes a success. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated community of volunteers, teachers, and parents who have generously shared their time, energy, and support throughout the year.

To our teachers: thank you for going above and beyond to support our students in their sporting endeavours. Your guidance, encouragement, and hard work has not only helped students excel on the field but has also fostered teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. You are an essential part of the foundation that makes our sports programmes so special. We appreciate you are balancing your teaching and family commitments yet you continue to show up.

To our volunteers: your commitment to helping with practices, organising events, and cheering on our athletes has been invaluable. Your enthusiasm and encouragement has created a positive, supportive environment that motivates our students to push themselves, learn, and grow. Whether you helped with logistics, umpiring, set up for games, or scoring, your efforts have made a lasting impact on our sports programmes.

To our parents: we cannot thank you enough for your unwavering support. From providing transportation to attending games and practices, to cheering from the sidelines, your involvement has been a key factor in creating a vibrant sports culture at our school. Your belief in the importance of extracurricular activities and your constant encouragement is much appreciated by the Sports Hub team and the students. 

Together, you’ve all contributed to an incredible year of sports, teamwork, and school spirit. We are truly grateful for everything you’ve done to make this year memorable, and we look forward to another successful year ahead, where we can continue to support and inspire our students.

Thank you once again for all of your hard work and dedication!

With sincere appreciation

The Sports Hub Team- Laura, Claire and Di

TRIATHLON

The entries for the 2025 Year 9-13 Challenge Wānaka Secondary School Triathlon are now open. 

All MAC entries are completed by the school.  DO NOT enter via the Challenge Wānaka website (it will cost you more!).  

To enter, please read through the information and complete the registration form on this link: 2025 Year 9-13 Challenge Wānaka Entry Form

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Mark your calendar as the 2025 MAC MTB Downhill Champs are coming up soon in Term 1.  They will take place on Saturday 22 February at Cardrona Bike Park (postponement day 23 February). The event  is part of the MAC Mountain Bike series (Enduro, Downhill and Cross Country) and is open to all students.  This is a great opportunity for students to be involved in a fun and challenging day on the bike, and a chance to explore the Cardrona Bike Park.  House points will be awarded for participation. More information will be coming out in Term 1.

NETBALL

The Mt Aspiring Netball club is on the lookout for coaches, assistant coaches , managers, and interested parties for teams from Year 7 to Year 13.

Whether you’re an experienced coach or just passionate about the sport and eager to pass on your knowledge, we need YOU to help guide the next generation of netball talent.

 What’s in it for you?

• The chance to inspire and develop young athletes

• Be part of a dedicated and supportive club community

• Help our players reach their full potential on and off the court

An information package is available by emailing us at mtaspiringnc@gmail.com or complete this Expressions of Interest in Netball Coaching 2025 form

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.

ATHLETICS

Last weekend, five MAC students travelled to Timaru to compete in the New Zealand Secondary School Track and Field Championships.  They all competed really well against New Zealand top school athletes and came away with some fantastic results.

A huge highlight of the weekend was when Phoebe Laker (Year 11) broke her personal best time yet again and returned home with a gold medal in the junior girls 400m in 56.16sec.  She was comfortably in front on the second-last bend and extended her lead down the home straight to be well clear of the next runner.  In winning this event, she broke her previous personal best of 56.40sec, which means that she set a new Otago 15, 16 and 17 years age-group record.

Ryan Enoka (Year 12) competed in two field events, and he came away with an outstanding 5th place in the Senior Boys Hammer throw.

Eve Pfahlert (Year 9) competed in the Junior Girls 200m Sprint and she also was part of our Senior Mixed 4x400m relay team.  The relay was a huge step up for her, as she was competing alongside the fastest Year 13 students in the country (Eve is only in Year 9), but what a great experience and we can’t wait to see what she does in the future!

Matthew Botting (Year 13) competed in the Senior Boys 200m Sprint and was also a key member of our 4x400m relay team.

Cody Armstrong had an impressive meet, making it through to the final of the Senior Boys 400m Sprint and he finished 6th in New Zealand in this event.  He was also a key figure in the relay team's valiant effort.

Our 4x400m mixed relay team also had a fantastic race.  Eve, Phoebe, Matthew and Cody competed in the senior event and finished in a very commendable 4th place.

Congratulations to all of the athletes on their awesome efforts and results and also a huge thanks to Mandy Enoka, for once again stepping up to be an awesome team manager.

SNOWSPORTS

Huge congratulations to Fin and Cam Melville Ives, who have started their Northern Hemisphere seasons off with a flying start.  Last weekend Cam Melville Ives finished in 8th place at his debut Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup Finals in Secret Garden.  Cam repeatedly pushed his riding with each of the three runs, including putting down a 4 dub run on his final run.  His twin brother Fin was in fine form too, claiming 7th place at the Secret Garden Freeski Halfpipe World Cup.  So good! We can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds for you two!

GIRLS CRICKET

A mixture of Year 8, 9 and 10 students competed in the Girls Cricket Smash -5 Competition in Cromwell recently.  The competition was brought about to increase numbers and participation in girls cricket - and what a great talented bunch of students we had representing Mount Aspiring College.  The MAC students played against Cromwell, Dunstan and Wakatipu College on the foundation of Sportsmanship, Enjoyment and Friendship.  The smiles on their faces and the comradery amongst the girls was something special to see.  There were no winners or runners up in this competition - just a happy and enthusiastic group of students who had the opportunity to play a great sport and test their skills against other local colleges.  Thank you to Lana Whipp and Neil Stuart for helping coach on the day.

CRICKET

Last week the MAC Junior XI cricket team competed in a tournament at St Kevin's with schools from Canterbury and Otago. This was the third year MAC participated, with a team of eight Y9s and four Y10s

After an early start on Wednesday morning,  the team faced a Christchurch team, North Western. Having lost the toss, the team were asked to field.  Losing the toss, they were asked to field. The bowlers took regular wickets, and North Western was all out for 165. MAC went into bat confidently, but the grass wicket caused quick wickets, resulting in them being all out for 77.

Thursday's game was against Taieri College, a strong team with some first XI players. Despite losing the toss and having to bowl in hot weather, MAC bowled Taieri out for 218. Rossco Rowley's score of 37 kept the team positive, but they were all out for 130.

On the final day, the team played St Kevin's, losing the toss again and asked to bowl.  Regular wickets fell with an inspired bowling spell by Rossco Rowley with 5 wickets for 6 runs in 5 overs.  Confidence was high until the opening bowler took a wicket with his first ball, the team was 4 wickets for 15 runs, making 60 look tough.  After seeing out the opening bowler, Ryan Hartnell and Josh Tombling were looking good with high scores of 12.  A late flurry of wickets had MAC at 9 wickets for 56 runs, 4 runs needed for a win.  3 runs were scored and the game was tied, when our last batter was bowled.  A very exciting tense game to finish the tournament off and nice to not have another loss.  The Y9s are eager to seek revenge on St Kevin's next year!

Report by Leann Tombling.

TRIATHLON

On Thursday 28 November, 63 Year 7/8 students headed to Queenstown to represent Upper Clutha in the Central Otago Primary Schools Triathlon Championships.  The weather was fantastic and our students had a great time competing against other schools from around the region.

Podium results were awarded to: 

Year 7 Individuals - MALE

1st - Willis McCarroll

3rd - Bill Dobson

Year 7 Teams - FEMALE

MAC Unstoppables - Asha Blake, Firn Mactaggart, Lilya Cochrane

Year 8 Individuals - MALE

1st - Sam Taylor

2nd - Theo Taylor

Year 8 Individuals - FEMALE

1st - Hana Carnie

2nd - Paige Boomsma

Year 8 Mixed Team

1st - The MAC Bobble Heads - Elliot Lovelock, Violet Laughton, Ford Mills

A huge thank you must go to all of the parents who helped with transport and marshaling, and also to Caitlin Harvey for providing awesome teacher support for the event.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Congratulations to Year 11 student Bede Laming who has been accepted into the Yeti NZ Enduro Devo Team.

Bede recently competed with the team in Rotorua, where he finished 13th in race one of the National Enduro Series. The National Enduro Series will take place over six events across New Zealand from November 2024 through to April 2025.

Bede hopes to travel to compete in five of the six events to give himself a good chance at the overall title which is his focus, rather than individual race results. As well as racing, Bede will be undertaking training camps to learn and develop with the Yeti Devo Team.

Bede rides many trails and parks locally and, as well as the National Enduro Series, and he hopes to take part in as many local events as possible. Bede is also an ambassador at Bike Glendhu where he is looking forward to lots of trail time over the summer. As well, Bede has teamed up with some other young local riders and filmmakers to put together a short film focusing on youth mountain biking in Wānaka.

Congratulations Bede and good luck for your upcoming events!

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.