Hockey, Mountain Biking and Rowing

Hockey Coaches Needed

We are URGENTLY looking for Hockey coaches to coach our 1st XI and 2nd XI for the 2016 season.

Coach(es) would be needed for this year but ultimately the next 3-5 years to develop our 1st XI so they are competitive at Rankin Cup.

If you are interested please contact Matt Sharr at mas@shirley.school.nz with your details.

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking at SBHS has become a very popular sport.

With so many students wanting to take part on a Wednesday after school we need some more adult supervision.

If you have an interest in biking and are available between 3 and 5.30 on a Wednesday please contact Ms McMillan on Ext 315 or smm@shirley.school.nz

Bottle Lake is the area we use.

SBHS success at South Island Rowing Championships

A squad of 24 SBHS rowers competed in the South Island Club Rowing Championhips held at Lake Ruataniwha between 30-31 January. They joined over 1300 rowers representing rowing clubs and schools from all parts of the South Island in one of the biggest regattas on the rowing calendar.

After a full day of heats, SBHS crews (rowing in Avon Club Colours), qualified for 14 “A” finals, racing for medals during Finals day on Sunday.

Supported by a vocal and passionate parents group, all boys performed with distinction both on and off the water. Four crews brought home medals. These included;

1. Bronze Medal - Under-15 Double Ethan Saywell, Alex Cartwright

2. Silver Medal - Mens' Novice Four Tom Jack, Max Ngatiki, Logan Evans, Jackson Drake, Connor Robinson (coxswain)

3. Silver Medal - Under-16 Four McGregor Best, Evan Young, Elijah Coulston, Alex Cartwright, Barry Stace (coxswain)

4. Gold Medal – Mens' Novice Eight Tom Jack, Max Ngatiki, Logan Evans, Jackson Drake, Taylor Keys, Matherson Graham, Jayden Aldridge, Ethan Saywell, Connor Robinson (coxswain)

To bring home four medals and a South Island Title represented an outstanding regatta for the entire squad and coaches. All squad members deserve and share credit for these performances regardless if they sit in the boat or train with the crews.

Organising a regatta for a large squad can be very difficult. The SBHS rowing squad would not achieve these successes without the support and help of parents and the Shirley community. Throughout the weekend, an endless supply of food, support and encouragement was much appreciated by the boys.

Rowing is an expensive sport. We have been fortunate to have the support of a number of local businesses. A huge thank you to Grant O’Neil from Uniweld Mufflers and Ian Gillespie from Gillespie Auto Services who modified and repaired our boat trailer as well as Rolland Luthi Design & Build for fixing the electrics and transport of oars. Without the support of these businesses, SBHS would not be in the strong position it is currently in.

Our crews are now training five days a week as they prepare for the final three regattas of the season, ending with the National Secondary Schools Rowing Championships (Maadi) in early April. Goals have been set and hopes are high for some strong performances.