This championship event has been organised by the Manawatu Triathlon Club and Sport Manawatu for students to help them gain NCEA credits and learn how a well-planned training schedule can benefit them. 

“Students have had to develop their own training schedules as well as train like mad in the lead up to this event,” says Sport Manawatu secondary school sport advisor Zoe Anderson.

 “For many of these students it will be their first triathlon, they have worked really hard over the last few weeks to prepare and now is there chance to prove that they can do it.”

Schools taking part include Feilding High School, Dannevirke High School, St Peters College, Tararua College, Palmerston North Boys' High School and Palmerston North Girls’ High School.

Miss Anderson says that there are some top contenders in the entries, including Jamie Leader from Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Stephanie Dickens from Feilding High School who is likely to dominate the senior age category.

“I wish all the competitors the best of luck and I hope they achieve the goals they have trained so hard for,” says Mrs Anderson.

The school triathlon is being run in conjunction with Manawatu Triathlon Club’s Duathlon Winter Series which is open to members of the public, sign up at www.triclub.co.nz.

For further information:

Zoe Anderson

Sport Manawatu

Phone: (06) 357 5349

zoe.anderson@sportmanawatu.org.nz

Runners will be hoping to qualify for the New Zealand Secondary School Cross Country Championships being held in Pakuranga, Auckland on Saturday June 16.

“It should be a very exciting event and with such a competitive field it will definitely be great to watch,” says Sport Manawatu’s secondary school sport advisor Zoe Anderson.

“There are many strong contenders for the title including Kara McDermid, a multiple national champion within cross country, track running, road racing and mountain biking, as well as Joshua Baan who gained the 3000m Manawatu Inter Secondary School Athletics record in February and finished 19^th at the world cross country championships in Malta,” says Mrs Anderson.

“Stephanie Dickens from Feilding will definitely heat up the senior girls’ race as she is currently in training for the Oceania track and field championships in Australia.” 

“Palmerston North Boys’ High school has a plethora of capable runners across a number of grades including cyclist Nate Levin, triathlete Jake Jackson Grammer, and the young Fairclough twins Adam and Edward who have been training under Palmerston North Athletics club coach George McConachy.”

 “Good luck to all those taking part; hopefully the weather will stay dry to give the athletes the chance to perform at their best.”

If you would like more information about the Cross Country Championships click here or contact Zoe Anderson at Sport Manawatu

A lot of people forget that basketball is also played through the winter season. This is a game both for men, women and children and can be played either socially or competitively.

The best way to describe this activity is FUN but can still be very physical, netball skills play a big role when it comes to out doing the guys, especially the shooting! It involves a lot of starting and stopping and good ball skills. While not renowned as an aerobic sport, it is still a great workout that can help you build endurance and a great way to stay fit.

Although official games of basketball require five players on court with a team of 10 to roll subs, you can play a game of basketball with just one other person. You can also go out and shoot baskets by yourself. If you want to play basketball competitively, you can become a member of a team and get involved in local competition.

As basketball involves a lot of running and jumping, my tip is to make sure you’re your basketball or sports shoes provide good ankle support.

If you are interested in trying basketball, there is a local social competition for teenagers and adults starting up in Feilding on April 12 at the Civic Centre, there will be a small cost per game payable on the night. Ryan Weisenberg and the Manawatu Jets will be assisting for the first three weeks to get the competition up and running in the community.

There is also winter league in Palmerston North and you can register your interest at Palmerston North Basketball Association www.pnba.co.nz

The initiative encourages active transport (walking, biking or scootering) to and from school and is run twice a year by Sport Manawatu for participating schools in the Horowhenua, Tararua and Manawatu.

Sport Manawatu’s active transport coordinator, Suzanne Winterburn, says the programme helps to build confidence, road skills and independence.

“iMove is about teaching kids and parents how to incoprorate activity into their day. An increase in active transport also means less congestion around the school gate.”

“Safety is a big focus and everyone that is taking part in iMove recieves a bright yellow high-visiblity vest, this is particularly important for those who choose to cycle to school.”

“This term I really want to encourage parents to get walking or cycling with their kids, even if the weather isn’t great, pop on a coat or some gumboots and turn up at the school gate with your iMove card.”

Mrs Winterburn says the structure of the programme is very simple; each time parents and children make an active transport trip to school, they get their iMove cards stamped. When their cards are completed, they go into the draw to win transport related prizes such as scooters and helmets.

Currently there are 28 primary schools and five early childhood schools signed up for the programme.

To learn more about iMove please click here or contact Sport Manawatu.

The initiative encourages active transport (walking, biking or scootering) to and from school and is run twice a year by Sport Manawatu for participating schools in the Horowhenua, Tararua and Manawatu.

Sport Manawatu’s active transport coordinator, Suzanne Winterburn, says the programme helps to build confidence, road skills and independence.

“iMove is about teaching kids and parents how to incoprorate activity into their day. An increase in active transport also means less congestion around the school gate.”

“Safety is a big focus and everyone that is taking part in iMove recieves a bright yellow high-visiblity vest, this is particularly important for those who choose to cycle to school.” 

“This term I really want to encourage parents to get walking or cycling with their kids, even if the weather isn’t great, pop on a coat or some gumboots and turn up at the school gate with your iMove card.”

Mrs Winterburn says the structure of the programme is very simple; each time parents and children make an active transport trip to school, they get their iMove cards stamped.  When their cards are completed, they go into the draw to win transport related prizes such as scooters and helmets.

Currently there are 28 primary schools and five early childhood schools signed up for the programme.

To learn more about iMove please click here or contact Sport Manawatu.