The final major sporting event for Term 2 happened on Tuesday 6 July in Rangiora, the Rakahuri and Pegasus Zone Winter Tournament.

We were very lucky with the weather that allowed this event to go ahead as planned, though it was rather windy. Oxford Area School had eleven teams competing in the Year 7/8 and Year 5/6 grades in rugby at Southbrook Park, football at Maria Andrews Park, hockey on the Waimak Turf or MainPower Cricket grounds and netball at Dudley Park.

With the support of our community we had Di Te Awa in hockey, Guy Shore, Aidan Don, and Sam Ward assisting in rugby, so a huge thanks for training our teams, and coaching on the day. Thanks Aidan for refereeing too. Once again twelve Year 9-11 students offered to assist teacher-coaches by refereeing football, and umpiring at netball or hockey with two girls coaching a netball team. Everyone's input is vital so we can offer these opportunities to the tamariki keen to compete in their chosen sport. It was great to see lots of parents come along during the day to support their child(ren) and their teams.

Though we had no Oxford teams to qualify for the Canterbury tournament, all teachers were very impressed by the improvement in their teams over the day and the wonderful efforts during the games. I was at rugby and both teams were a pleasure to be with and manage, my task  was to take the scores and return to the venue coordinator at the conclusion of each game. The semi-final in Years 5/6 rugby against Cust was a thriller and should have been the final - a draw at end of time, a draw at end of extra time, and Cust scored a try 16 minutes after the start of the 10 minute game to win. The Year 7/8 rugby team had some close games against their club team mates in other school teams, some great wins and they finished the day with a solid win in their playoff for 3rd/4th. Well done all.

A great day of fun, friendships and learning in the outdoors.