The highlight of the last two weeks for SMC sport has definitely been Swimming Sports. What a huge day this is with so much colour and noise. I am sure the surrounding neighbours were wondering what on earth was going on. What an absolute scorcher of a day and in fine St Margaret's fashion everyone had a blast.

As always please send us an email if you would like to be included in the sports news
louise.eder@stmargarets.school.nz

Equestrian
Congratulations to Fabriana McQuarrie Y10 who was selected into the Canterbury Dressage Team. The team won 1st place taking the NZPC National Title and alongside her teammate received the junior combined highest score.
Last weekend at the Canterbury Show Jumping Fabriana and Yippee Ki Yay won the Canterbury 1.10m Champion. Keep up the good work you two.
Kate McDonald Y8 and her pony Digga took part in the Duvauchelle A&P Show on the 11th January; Kate writes; “ This was a good show for me and my pony Digga (Hollybank Just An Illusion). I won my Rider Class, then went on and got Champion Rider and got the Matt Shepherd Cup. My pony is a 10-year-old English Riding Pony and is a perfect all-rounder, a Show pony one weekend and out Show Jumping the next.” Sounds like the perfect combination Kate, well done both of you.

Coast to Coast
Our coast to coasters had an awesome time at the event as they completed the two-day, two-person team category. As reported last week Year 13 students Eliza Barltrop and Sophie Rutherford have more than proved that all the hard work has paid off. The amazing photos are a testament to a race well done, as the whole event takes a lot of predetermined organisation. The girls had an amazing support crew with their families supporting and encouraging them every step of the way. We are so proud of you both, you truly have shown courage and sheer determination to pull this race off, well done.

Cycling
Although Jenna Borthwick is no longer at SMC we are still incredibly proud to say she has just been named in the New Zealand Junior Track Cycling team for the World Championships in Cairo in August.
This comes off the back of 5 x U19 titles at the National Champs 2 weeks ago. Pretty impressive results for Jenna in the U19 grade. We look forward to keeping up with her progress and wish her well.

F45
Tiana Placid (SMC Old Girl) from F45 Riccarton took the girls through their paces on Tuesday.
Well done girls, a tough session I bet, check out the photo to see the smiling faces at the first pre-season fitness session.

Football WFC
For any of you budding footballers out there please read the following;
Western Football Club is looking for additional players for their U18 Youth Girls Team for the 2020 Football season (Saturday games). Pre-season training will be starting in a few weeks time, date and time TBC. The team had a fantastic season last year winning the U18's competition. If you are interested in playing on Saturdays and want to check out Western as a club - please email westernafc@gmail.com or phone/text 021979057

Rowing
Apologies to Emily Young Y13 who is our Co-Captain of Rowing alongside Charlotte Darry this year and not Vice-Captain as printed in the last newsletter.

Surf Lifesaving
Samantha Lascelles Year 9, was the overall U13 age group winner at the Canterbury Surf Lifesaving Championships two weekends ago. She had some strong competition including a dolphin that came alongside her whilst she was racing her kneeboard. As you can imagine it gave her the fright of her life.
Samantha then went on to win the South Island Surf Lifesaving Championships held at New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club last weekend, which as you can see from the photos took a lot of determination. She won all six of her events, including the Beach Flags and the Beach Sprints. Well done Samantha that is awesome. Samantha goes on to compete as part of a small team from Sumner Surf Lifesaving at “Oceans” the National Surf Lifesaving competition held at Mt Maunganui each year. This event has around 1200, U11 to U14 athletes competing over four days. The competition is fierce and very tough due both to the level of the athletes and the varying sea conditions.
We wish Samantha and her team the best of luck for the Nationals next week.

Swimming
Last Tuesday our swimming pool turned into a frenzy of activity. It was another stinking hot day and it was hard for anyone to keep their cool. Swimming sports is the first opportunity of the new year to go all out and get dressed up in house colours. Our six houses were represented beautifully with some very amusing costumes, not to mention loud chants and lots of supportive enthusiasm. The pool area was awash with wedding dresses, noodles, bananas, crazy glasses, wigs, togs of all description, mats and general chaos. I hate to think what the lost property looked like at Maggie's the next day! Our swimmers raced competitively and for fun. There were races for everyone, including our impressive staff who jumped in to compete in the teacher's race. Full results are attached below.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped on the day. It certainly is a team effort to coordinate the girls and the races. Congratulations to all our swimmers who were placed, we look forward to seeing where your results take you in the next rounds. It is exciting to see some new records have been made as well for the school, congratulations to Gracie Seeto and Sienna McEwan who both set a new record for 50m Breaststroke in their respective age groups. Also to Rata and Rimu for new records set in the Year 9 Medley Relay and the Year 10 Freestyle Relay.
Awesome job team SMC.
Also, check out the fabulous photos of our swimmers (who we reported on last week) from the Canterbury Champs held in Dunedin.

Tennis
Abby Mason Year 12, is having a very busy summer travelling around New Zealand playing in various tournaments against opponents from around the world. She writes “Last December in Auckland U16 Nationals were held, I placed first in the doubles with my partner Jade Feneon, also from Christchurch. The last few weeks I have been playing in the Junior U18 ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournaments around New Zealand, with players from other countries such as Japan, China, Australia etc. competing. I made the final of a Grade 4 in Wellington (grades range from 1-5 with 1 the highest) and a round of 16 in the Christchurch grade 4 and Auckland grade 3 in singles, and quarter-finals for doubles in all three. Last week I was in Hamilton playing an International Open pro futures Tournament after being given a wildcard into qualifying by Tennis NZ. I finished up in the quarter-finals for doubles.”
Great job Abby well done.
We congratulate Ruby Young and Emma Mason who have been named for the Canterbury 14s team, and Abby for the 17s team for the National Teams event in the April holidays. Looks like more busy times ahead for you girls. Good luck.

Touch
Last Wednesday our Super Touch and Junior elite teams were invited to play at Rangi. The games were friendly as the actual competition starts this week. It was great practice and a good opportunity for the girls to play in their new teams. We wish all of our nine Touch teams for this term the best of luck.

Volleyball
We are super proud to announce that Rosa Davidson (Y12) has been selected in the U18 NZ Beach Volleyball Squad to attend a selection camp/training in Vanuatu in December. The event this U18 group is training for is the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2021. This is exciting news.
Also, we congratulate Ella Ballanytne (Y12) who is in a younger age group and has been selected in the U17 NZ Beach Volleyball Squad again attending the same tour of Vanuatu playing teams from Vanuatu, Australia and New Caledonia (TBC). We wish you both the best of luck.