On Tuesday 5 July in Rangiora, the Rakahuri and Pegasus Zone Winter Tournament was held in chilly conditions across four venues. 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. Despite sickness we managed to fill all teams so everyone was able to participate in a team sport.

All teams played well, had fun, and for many experienced a big sports event for the first time as there were over fifteen schools participating across the four winter codes- netball, rugby, hockey, football- with two or three grades in most sports.

This day would not be possible without the support of teachers who have run trainings at school over the least four weeks. Seven teachers accompanied teams on the day to coach and/or referee or umpire so we have at least one teacher at each venue. Our senior students are very supportive in coming for the day to co-coach, coach, referee or umpire teams. Huge thanks to Ashleigh Lawler, Cailey Hollard, Tasha Bell, Ella Luscombe, Jess Booth, Oliver Sillars, Billy Hollard, Nicholas McKinney, Izzy Ashby-Daniels and Issy Elliott who came.

We always ask for parent or community help and a special thanks to Ashley Riley, Di Te Awa, Amanda Shaskey, Shara Kelsey-Ross and Julie Shore for supporting the teachers and tamariki at your sports. Aidan Don has been a great supporter of our rugby teams and once again stepped up to guide the Y7/8 and Y5/6 teams. We have to have someone with a current Small Black certificate to be able to enter these rugby teams so we truly appreciate Aidan's willingness to assist. So if a rugby parent in 2023, please do the course when Oxford Rugby Club offers it usually early April so you can help coach our teams.

Everyone's input is vital so we can offer these opportunities to our tamariki keen to compete in their chosen sport. It was great to see parents come along during the day to support their child(ren) and their teams. All teachers were very impressed by the improvement in their teams over the day and the wonderful efforts during the games learning about playing as a team, fair play, respecting referee/umpire calls, saying cheers at the end of each game etc....   A great day of fun, friendships and learning in the outdoors.

The highlight is that the Y5/6 Rugby team won the Rakahuri A Grade so will compete in the Canterbury Primary Schools Winter Tournament Thursday 15 September postpone date is 22 September. Congratulations to all of the team ( the photo above), Mr S who has worked with them at school but unfortunately not able to go on Tuesday, so Mrs Nerissa Thompson stepped in and supported Aidan Don along with Shara Kelsey-Ross who was the manager. Keep training and we know you will represent us proudly. 

Some pleasing results:

Y7/8 Football 2nd in B Grade

Y7/8 Hockey 3rd in B Grade

Y7/8 Netball Black 1st in C Grade

Y5/6 Rugby 1st A Grade