What's New

10 June, 2020

Raring to go! School teams ready to rumble

Flagstaff Team

Bring it on… Members of the Rosmini College Ist XV squad during preparations for the delayed start of their season

Training began in earnest for school sports last week, with students looking forward to the Covid-delayed start of winter competitions across all codes.

A spokeswoman for Westlake Boys High School said teachers and students were stoked to be back in action with their teams, doing what they loved. “They have all had too much bottled-up energy, I believe,” she added.

Pick up sticks… Members of the Year 8 Carmel College hockey team warmed up with some six-a-side competition: Maisy Lendrum (kneeling) and, from left, Alessia Martin, Ciara Morley, Tara Hodson, Isabelle Esnouf, Nadja McGoon, Mia Scott

At Carmel College, students sharpened up post-lockdown by holding small group competitions while they awaited the resumption of inter-school sport. “We had sport running from day one within the school bubble, with the intention of getting our students re-engaged,” said director of sport Annie Sadlier.

Play was adapted to meet Covid requirements, with hand sanitiser, ball wiping and washing of equipment. Up to 100 girls participated each day, trying Fast-5 netball, 6-a-side hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton and yoga. “It was a fantastic opportunity to provide our students some sport at school and prepare them for the return of organised sport outside the school environment.”

Rosmini headmaster Nixon Cooper said: “The boys are champing at the bit,” across the school’s four winter codes of rugby, basketball, football and hockey.

The 1st XV was in rebuilding mode, he said, under coaches Ryan Thompson and Jacob Corbett, who were recent old boys.

Pass marks… Carmel College students on the netball court

North Harbour schools rugby starts on Saturday, 27 June; Netball North Harbour’s competition for secondary premier teams through to Open B grade gets under way the same day, with grading games starting before the term break.

Lower secondary grades and Year 9 competition, plus primary and intermediate teams, play from late July. There will be one rather than the usual two rounds, to fit in ahead of summer sports; college football begins on 24 June and basketball tips off from 10 June; boys’ hockey starts on 17 June, and girls’ hockey a day later.

On the ball… Westlake Boys Ist XI hockey players back in action after lockdown
Raising a racquet… Badminton players at Westlake Girls

The Rangitoto Observer can be downloaded online here.

Please consider supporting The Rangitoto Observer by clicking here: