Sports News

Winter Tournament Week!

Best of luck to our amazing athletes competing in tournaments across New Zealand this week! Give it your all, represent WDSG with pride, and we can't wait to hear about your results!

Summer Sports Calling!

Looking ahead to the action-packed summer season, we're actively seeking passionate coaches for the following sports: Touch, Futsal and Cricket. Email: Contact our sports team directly at sports@wdsg.school.nz

Celebrating Sport@Dio

Equestrian

Competing at the North Island Secondary Schools Show Hunter Cup held at St Peter's School on August 4, the riders received the following individual results.

Emma Berejoni riding TChalla - 3rd in the Hack Equitation 90cm class.

Isla Sarty riding Adelphia - 2nd in the Hack 1.10m class.

Jessica Steele riding My Chance Encounter - 2nd in the Horse Equitation 80cm class.

Olivia Stone riding Camberley Shilar - 1st Pony 80cm class, 2nd Pony Equitation 80cm and 3rd in the Pony 70cm class.

With the riders combined points, the team then placed 4th overall and were each awarded a beautiful sash.

On August 11 we had a team sisters Libby (Equestrian Code Captain) and Fleur Street team up with Waihi College at the North Island Secondary Schools Show Jumping Carnival.

Both sisters had a successful day with results and took out the 1st place overall for their combined team points. It was Libby’s last ride for Dio, so a brilliant way to finish! Individual results can be found below.

Libby riding Just Rocky - 1st 1-105cm Pony A2, 2nd 1-105cm Pony AM5 IJO

Fleur riding Epic Dreamer - 2nd, 1-105 cm Pony A2

Well done to everyone.

Lacrosse

Nicole Hollands and Old Girl Katie Hollands (class of 2022) have just recently returned from Hong Kong, after representing New Zealand in the U20 Women's Team who competed at the Women’s U20 Championship. The team came away with 15th overall after a hard fought battle for a win against the tournament hosts. Despite this overall result, the kiwi team showed some exceptional highlights throughout the tournament, whilst representing their country with pride and mana. An awesome opportunity ladies and we are so proud of you!

In other Lacrosse news, we have had some awesome juniors who have been selected into a variety of Waikato Lacrosse Representative teams who will be representing Waikato at the NZ Lacrosse U15 National Tournament, held at Whangaparaoa College in Auckland, 14-15 September. Congratulations to the following students;

Poppy Barnett - Waikato Lacrosse U14 Girls Team

Dylan Meinung - Waikato Lacrosse U15 Girls Development Team

Sophie Jones - Waikato Lacrosse U15 Girls Development Team

Charlie Lockyer - Waikato Lacrosse U15 A Girls Team

Makayla Hollands - Waikato Lacrosse U15 A Girls Team

Rowing

Isabel Melville, recently attended the World Rowing Championship as a crew member of the U19 team. Isabel underwent an extensive training program beginning in June to prepare for the championships. Balancing her schoolwork with demanding training sessions was no easy task but Isabel’s commitment to her sport shone through. The hard work paid off when the team qualified for the A grade final. The final result may not have been as they hoped, their participation in the event was a testament to their hard work and determination.

We say congratulations to Isabel and her teammates on their achievements. We also congratulate Waikato Diocesan Rowing Club Director Alice Denyer who was one of the U19 coaches who worked tirelessly with these amazing athletes and their World Rowing Championship achievements.

Rugby

Year 11 student Kate Pridham, has been named in the 2024 New Zealand Harlequins U16 Girls Squad for the representative season. Awesome achievement Kate and we can’t wait to follow along with how the season goes.

Swimming

The 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Short Course Championships as held at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre in Auckland took place from August 20-24. These champs are held once a year and competitors need to meet qualification criteria to enter.

A number of Dio students attended and made personal best times and Top 10 placings. Students in attendance can be found below;

• Gemma Hay

• Tessa Scott

• Paige Stringer

• Isabelle Blackmore

• Ariella Riley

• Indiana Riley

• Sophie Hay (Code Captain).

Check out some of their outstanding results!

Sophie Hay

Gold - 1500 metre Freestyle Open Age

Gold - 1500m Freestyle 17/18 Age making the Fina B time

Arie Riley

Silver - 200 Fly, 16 Yrs

Bronze - 1500 Free, 16 Yrs

Bronze - 200 IM, 16 Yrs

Bronze - 4 x 100 Freestyle relay, Open Age

Indy Riley

Bronze - 4 x 100 Freestyle relay, Open Age

Bronze - 4 x 100 Medley relay, Open Age

Old Girl and swimming superstar, Gina McCarthy was a part of the 4x100m Open Age Freestyle relay team who took the bronze medal which was awesome to see.

Sophie also made the Final B time for her 1500m Freestyle. An excellent mark to hit as she heads into her Junior World Open Water Swim Champs in Italy between Sep 5-8 which we wish her the best of luck for.

Excellent work again, Swimmers. Congratulations to everyone!

Water Polo

Congratulations to the following students who were part of the Waikato Water Polo U14 Development team which competed at the Rotorua Development Tournament from August 16-18.

• Cayla Buitendach

• Jemma Reeves

• Caitlin Richardson

The team came 3rd overall

Well done to everyone.