Issue

06
TERM 3 2012

S P O R T 2012
NZ NATIONAL TENNIS CHAMPION JOINS WHS

ed Skating Spe
Wanganui High School Speed Skaters Rebecca Smith and Nicole Travers participated in the Oceania Championships in Timaru in April this year . Renee Nyman caught up with them to see how that went, where they are now with their training and what their hopes are for the future.

Welcome to our 6th edition of the Sport e-newsletter. This is now established as a very good opportunity for our students to contribute and let you all know whats been happening on the sports fields and courts in and around Wanganui. Team sports photos have been taken and should arrive back to the students later in the term. We had a small sports exchange against Wanganui Collegiate School and there is a report about this included. We are currently hosting a new WSS Table Tennis weekly league. This takes place on Wednesdays after school in the Balance Court Yard. There are no costs for WHS students and some cool spot prizes up for grabs. Funds were secured via a Kiwi Sport application and six new tables, bats and balls have been purchased. The Sports prefects have also been organising our first WHS Table Tennis Champs. This has been taking place on Tuesdays & Thursdays with up to 50 students playing each lunch time. Winter Tournament Week is not too far away now. This takes place in week 8 of the term and we will be sending away teams in Rugby, Netball, Basketball, Hockey, Football & Badminton. Best of luck to the Rugby 1st XV for their final in Palmerston North on Saturday vs PNBHS. Kick off is 12.30pm at FMG Stadium. Also best of luck to the A1 Senior Girls who will be playing their final on Monday night at 7.30pm in the Springvale stadium verse the Kaierau A1 team. Mark Cornaga DIRECTOR of SPORT

This Issue
Tennis Speed Skating P1

Kyle Butters , the 2nd ranked NZ Junior tennis player, cently joined Wanganui High School.

re-

Cross Country Champs P2

He has just returned from a NZ Tennis-sponsored 3 month trip to Europe, training and playing tournaments on clay surfaces. He was based in Amsterdam, where he was coached by several of the worlds best tennis coaches. Kyle is a Wanganui boy who attended St. Georges School before being recruited by T TOA-Tai Wananga, a Maori sports academy based at Massey University which currently has 83 students enrolled through Years 9-13 in 2012. Last December Kyle became the youngest person to win the Open Maori Mens NZ Tennis Singles title in the 85 years history of the event. Kyle has tasted success at the very top level. He was runner up in the 14/u Boys Singles at the Australian Championships in Melbourne last year. At the NZ National Championships, he has won the 2009 12/u Boys Doubles, the 2011 14/u Boys Singles and in 2012 he won the 16/u Boys Doubles title. Kyle has represented NZ age group tennis teams for several years. Earlier this year he was number 2 singles player in the NZ Junior Davis Cup team who just missed qualifying for the World Finals, NZ losing narrowly to both Australia and Japan. Kyle has been lucky enough to have played tennis tournaments in a number of various countries. At the moment, he is playing at the ITF Oceania Junior Championships in Fiji. With Kyles arrival, WHS will now be a serious contender for the NZ Secondary Schools National Tennis Championships mixed (co-ed) teams title in March next year. His sister, Paris Butters (9 MI), will probably be number one girl in that team.

1st XV Rugby P3 WHS vs Collegiate P4 Hockey Basketball In the News P5

How did Oceanias go for you girls? And how do you feel about your results? Rebecca: I did really well this year! I got 2nd in the 10km points race, the 15km elimination race, the marathon and our relay team got 2nd also. It was really cold and I got sick on the very first day so I was really pleased with my results. Nicole: I enjoyed Oceanias this year but I was disappointed with my races. I was really hoping to get two 3rd placings in the 10km points race and the marathon. I could have challenged myself a lot more and got a better start off the line and also not have been so afraid to pass in the 10km points race. How was the atmosphere within the crowd? Both: There were heaps of parents who came to watch and really supported us! People from around Timaru also came in to watch as the track was close to a park and Speed Skating is well known in Timaru. How was the atmosphere with in camp and was the management helpful? Rebecca: Our team was pretty close this year but we have been a lot closer in previous years. A lot of older skaters were missing this year and as we werent allowed to go into town or anything so we had to make fun ourselves. We ended up doing things like making movies or doing runway shows. Nicole: The team management were really good this year. With me not doing as good as I could of, the management team gave really helpful advice as what I could improve on for next time.

What have you been doing for training over the winter period? Both: Winter is usually our off season or rest period so at the moment we are training indoors on Tuesdays practising our relays. On Wednesday we are Mitre 10 Mega doing sprints. On Thursdays we are at Mitre 10 Mega again doing an AT session and on Saturdays we do a long skate at Kowhai Park. This winter has been a lot wetter than usual so when it rains, our sessions are replaced by a bike session. Have you done any other competitions since Oceanias? If so, how did you go? Rebecca: We had one competition last month called Laurie Hastie. I did really well at this competition competing in the Intermediate/Senior grade when I was only a Junior at Oceanias. I got 3rd overall at this event. Nicole: At Laurie Hastie, I found the indoor track really slippery and I didnt have the correct wheels on my skates so I couldnt compete to my best indoors. On the other hand, I was really proud of how I raced on road. I managed to catch up to some of the older skaters and I was glad that I tried my hardest in these races. Whens the next major competition for you? Both: Nationals in Wanganui and Palmerston North from the 1st of January to the 7th of January. What are you goals for this event? Rebecca: This will be my first year in the Intermediate grade and as there will be roughly 10 people in the grade I hope to medal in the longer races. Within the open races (12 whatever age) I hope to medal in the 10km points race and the 20km elimination race. Nicole: This will also be my first year in the intermediate grade so I wish to improve on my time trial. I would like to also medal in the longer races and for the open races, I would like to be within the top 5 for the 10km points race and the 20km elimination. What are you goals for the future in this sport? Both: We want to go to worlds in 2014. Its the year we both turn 17.

Cross Country 2012

New Zealand Secondary Schools National Cross Country Championships Saturday 16th June 2012 The muddy conditions and hilly nature of the St Kentigern College grounds proved a tough challenge for every runner this year. Whilst walking the course on Friday the hills seemed reasonable, yet by the 2nd lap of every race these unforgiving hills were taking their toll on every runner. The competition was extremely tough and accompanied with the taxing conditions of every corner the day was proving a true cross country festival. No matter how disappointing some of our places were, many were not a true reflection of the heart our XC team had given their races. Everyone thrived on the mental battle they overcame that day, in beating the relentless course. It was sadly both Georgia Black and my last secondary schools cross country nationals for Wanganui High School, both baring disappointment in regards to personal goals, yet we couldnt have been more pleased with the other 16 athletes who gave their races everything they had. It is pleasing for me to see such a quality and enthusiastic young group of High School first years, running so well so early in their high school journey. It has been a humbling experience to captain a sport I love dearly and be able to meet such a good group of kids keen to compete in a sport which demands so much, both mentally and physically. Throughout my four years at WHS I have competed in three cross country nationals, two athletics nationals, one duathlon nationals and one triathlon nationals, this is merely an example of one student who has been given the opportunity to take part in such events, thanks to the dedication, time and effort both Mr Cornaga and Mrs Calman have put into our sports men and women. I believe WHS running has a bright future ahead as cross country is on the rise and with the dedication Mr Cornaga and Mrs Calman provide to the team each year it surely will increase. I would like to sincerely thank both teachers who have shared their passion towards the sport in accompanying the team to these national events, the success I have witnessed and bonding of a family like team would not have been possible without them. The memory of being part of the WHS cross country and athletics team will never fade and it is quite a sad thought to be leaving such an evolving sport in the school. I wish the team the best for the upcoming Round the Lake Relays in September and hope to see many of our talented athletes compete in the summer New Zealand Secondary Schools National Athletics and Road Race Championships in Dunedin.

National Cross Country Championships Results 2012

Year 9 Boys 3km20 Jesse De Vincentis 10:42.25 33rd Louis Hogan 10:51.47 102nd Ethan Clements 11:41.84 119th Tea Hipango 11:49.66 125th Nathan Luff 11:56.17 139th Liam Simpson 12:04.14 154th Cullen Cornaga 12:29.71 6 to score team placed 9th with 538pts -Jesse De Vincentis 20th -Louis Hogan 33rd -Ethan Clements 102nd -Tea Hipango 119th -Nathan Luff 125th -Liam Simpson 139th 3 to score team placed 10th with 160pts -James Wright 18th -Riley Culver 45th -Josh Parker 97th
th

Year 9 Girls 3km72nd Jeanne-Marie Bonnet 13:07.60 95th Shannon Park- 13:54.16

Junior Girls 3km13th Naomi Craig 11:32.08 54th Sophie Couper 12:37.62

Senior Girls 4km27th Georgia Black 16:55.57

Junior Boys 4km18th James Wright 14:38.96 45th Riley Culver 15:11.24 97th Josh Parker 15:53.15 3 to score team placed 9th with 155pts -Jesse De Vincentis 20th -Louis Hogan 33rd -Ethan Clements 102nd

Senior Boys 6km68th Sam Hopper 22:19.05 153rd Kenneth Padburg 24:05.74 177th Robbie O'Brien 24:34.80

And remember Pain is temporary, Pride is forever.

st XV Rugby WHS 1
By Scott Bowater (Captain) After two and half weeks without a game, on 14 July, the last Saturday of the school holidays, we hosted Central Hawkes Bay College 1 st XV for a pre-second half of the season game. Quite a few of the boys were going down or out with the flu, and many were carrying injuries, so we had to call on reinforcements from the lower grades (thanks, Josh, Nathan, Sam and Stave). The game was played in good conditions, but our players were a bit rusty. We came away with a 17-5 win, and were thankful to get some game time before going into the rest of the season. Our next Manawatu Premier 1 game was against Palmerston Boys High School 3 rd XV at their ground on 21 July. Coronation Park hasnt been a happy hunting ground for us in past years, with the open air changing room, and only a draw and loss in our previous visits. We started well on both attack and defence, and lead 17-0 at half-time. In the second half, the flu and injuries started to tell, and with players tiring, we lost some shape and accuracy. Boys High came back strongly, scoring two converted tries, but we held on, scoring another try to win 22-14. Our final Manawatu Premier 1 game of the regular season was at home against Wairarapa College 1st XV on 28 July. They kept us to our lowest score in the first round, and we were expecting another tough game. Both teams showed plenty of enterprise on attack, and both defences mostly held, but each team scored two tries in the first half, and we lead 14-12 at the break. The second half was more of the same. We scored two more tries early on and then Wairarapa came back with two of their own near the end. With conversions, the result was a 26-all draw, which was more than enough to secure us a place in the semi-finals of the competition. On Wednesday 1 August, we opened our Coed Cup knock-out campaign with a game against Wanganui City College 1st XV under lights at Cooks Gardens. This was our first match with City College for two years, and a chance to see how they had progressed since we moved to the Manawatu competition. There was a good crowd in, and another stirring haka to start the game. City had a size advantage all over the park, but struggled to keep up with our speed of execution and skill level. By half time, we were ahead 22-5, scoring three tries to one, and then exactly doubled the score in the second half to run out 44-10 winners and move on to the next round. We finished the 5 games in 15 days with our Manawatu Premier 1 semi-final at home against Palmerston North Boys High 3rd XV on 4 August. Once again, we were short of players due to injuries, and bodies were battered from the preceding four games (and once again had extras on standby in case of injury thanks Kiela, Robbie, Sean and Te Whenua). We started with an excellent first 20 minutes, and then Boys High came back strongly but were kept out by our try-line defence. The rest of the game was an arm-wrestle that ebbed and flowed both ways, and finished two tries apiece. The difference came down to Sam kicking penalties when they were offered (as well as finding the upright twice), for a 22-15 win. We now advance to the Premier 1 final for the first time, against Palmerston North Boys High at FMG Stadium on 11 August.

WHS vs COLLEGIATE 2012

by Sam Hopper (Head of Sport)

Boys 1st XI Football

The annual Collegiate versus High School exchange bought fierce competition in all sporting arenas. Unfortunately we lacked luck in the 1st XV match but our 1st XI boys came home on top. Winning in a 2-1 fashion, thanks to strong defence and an early goal from Kyle Graham-Luke then a deal sealer from Nathan Harvey. These boys certainly proving worthy for the side competing in this years tournament week. High Schools goal keeper, Sam Roebuck said that High School dominated the game with many chances but the Collegiate keeper made same good saves.

Girls 1st XI Football

Another grudge match between Wanganui High School Girls 1st XI and Wanganui Collegiate Girls 1st XI took place during the Collegiate Exchange. The two teams have met many times before during the weekend womens league which Collegiate generally dominates. In their last meeting High School put In a tough fight and managed to be 2-0 up at half time but lost the game 4-2 to Collegiate. However this time things shone a bit brighter in High Schools favour. The two teams started with what looked like an even game with no signs of goal scoring. Both sides showed a solid defence, being unable to create any goal scoring opportunities. This stalemate continued all the way into half time. But in the second half returning member Tessla Grunwald put High School ahead scoring a magnificent goal. This game was not only her first back in the squad, but also first for the season. Tessla had this to say, When I heard that the girls were playing Collegiate, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to come back to the team. So I was pretty stoked when I scored the goal straight after being put on. I was really happy to be back playing football with the girls. The second half followed with a few more close opportunities made by both sides. The team in high spirits after the goal battled hard all the way to the end trying to raise the score in their favour but the half ended with Collegiate scoring a goal to put the final score to 1-1. This was truly a solid effort by the Girls 1st XI to match the Collegiate side. Team captain Chelsea Smith was pleased with the effort her team put in, it was a great game and an all-round awesome team effort. The whole team played their hearts out and came out of it with a really great result. The result of the game has seen the team adopt a positive approach and have high expectations for further games. Eilish Graves had this to say. It was an extremely rewarding game; our team came together and played some great football. Collegiate better watch out next Saturday ... its our time to beat them.

1st XV Rugby
By Te Rangi Albert

Spirits seemed to be high around the school before the midweek game between the two city rival first XV teams Wanganui High school and Collegiate. Around the school there was talk that with our current team we could break the 17 year loss streak against Collegiate. With a good turnout and a fair few supporting both teams the game was to be a good one. During the first half of the game Wanganui high school started off strong with a successful penalty kick by Sam Malcolm in the early stages of the game. But as the game progressed Wanganui Collegiate started to take hold scoring 5 tries, whilst letting a couple tries go to Wanganui High school in the final minutes of the game. Ending in a 27 18 win by Collegiate. Try scorers for Collegiate were William Cowper, Nathan Marr, Nick Blundle, Nick Cave, and Tay Hawker. With a conversion by Jonathan Nesbitt. Stand out performances by the Number 7 Te Atuarere Albert, and Large center Nick Blundle also aiding the teams win. Wanganui High Schools tries were scored by Hoani Palong and Justice Manley-Green, with Sam Malcolms kicking skills showing through two successful penalty kicks and a conversion. Two players that stood out in the Wanganui high school first XV was Scott Bowater the number 7, and Robert Lavin the number 8 playing a great game in their respective positions. A disappointing loss by high school. But the game has seen the teams solid improvement from the beginning of the year under coach Daryl Malcolm. A great competitive game between the two rivals. Next time perhaps we will see WHS with a win against Collegiate when they meet next.

 Hockey HS Girls W
As winter begins so does the hockey season, with many players raring to go, myself included. Our girls 1 st XI team has quite a young range of players this year with a few new year 9 and 10s added to our line up due to the loss of a few valuable players that left last year. It will be good to bring these players up to become strong and talented members of the team. Kara Jurgens has been elected team captain for the third year running as she has done such a great job in leading the team thus far. Again this year we are participating in the Palmerston North league with some good hard opposition. Last year playing in this grade helped us greatly to become a more competitive team and we hope that this year we can rank higher up in the pool. We had our first pre-season game the first week of term against Waiopehu College. Although we lost, it set a bench mark for where we have to aim to as this team won our grade and tournament last year. From then we have played a total of six games so we are well underway in the competition. We have had some close games with spectators on the edges of their seats but have unfortunately only won one of these six games. We have got progressively better after each of the games weve played so far and have some clear strengths and areas in need of improvement. Through development in team skills and communication we hope to be the best we can for our week long tournament this year, which will be in Hamilton.

t in the News WHS Spor

Thursday 9 August 2012 Wanganui judo brown belt Rachel Smith heads to Hong Kong and Singapore to take on some of the best in the world in her age-group. http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/asian-battle-awaits-smith/1498299/ Monday 6 August 2012 Seventeen-year-old local Thomas Ireton had a truly outstanding West Coast swimming championships in Wanganui over the weekend. http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/ireton-sets-three-records/1493707/

Basketball WHS Girls

By Kiri Wilson On Wednesday the 25th of July we ventured with a whole team of seven to the mighty Ruapehu College. Due to other sports that day and multiple injuries we were a few short. Two of our girls Leila and Roimata Blackburn have just returned from LA where they represented New Zealand and they were missed on the day. We were lucky enough to introduce a newcomer to our team. Year 10 Renee Butler took the court for the first time with the Senior A's and did an awesome job with rebounds. The low point of the game was the third quarter where we were unable to put points on the board until late in the quarter.

Saturday 4 August 2012 The seven Wanganui secondary school students headed to the Va'a World Spirit Championships have been going through final preparations before travelling to Calgary, Canada tomorrow. http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/waka-ama-crews-take-on-world/1492687/

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Captain Waimanawa P.O.W sunk some much needed three pointers and teamed with Tanisha Houltham they ran the ball well and did an exceptional job as point guards with zero subbing opportunities due to our reduced bench. ll this paid off when we won by 15 points. As a team we are looking at preparing for our tournament in early September where we are hoping to qualify for the nationals.