The Sun
sport inbrief
Aussie to coAch NZ hockey teAm
Colin Batch has been named as the New Zealand men’s hockey coach following Shane McLeod’s departure after the London Olympics. The former Australian international has been head coach of the Belgium men’s team for the past two years, and was an assistant coach for his home country prior to that.
Lee tAkes secoNd At WNB cLAssic
Danny Lee has finished tied for second at the WNB Classic on the web.com golf Tour in Texas. The 21-year old No 1 New Zealand golfer won the event in 2011. He shot a par 72 in the final round at the Midland Golf Club to finish behind Luke Guthrie of the USA.
White FerNs Lose opeNer
The White Ferns have lost their opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 to the West Indies in Sri Lanka. The New Zealand women’s cricket team made 117 for nine off 20 overs, but the West Indies beat that with 12 balls left to play. New Zealand face South Africa today and tomorrow.
cArter mAkiNg good progress
Dan Carter is expected to start in the All Blacks rugby championship clash against Argentina this weekend after making good progress from his calf injury. The New Zealand rugby team heads to Buenos Aires for the match on Sunday.
uNder 17s out oF WorLd cup New Zealand’s under-17 women’s football team have been knocked out of the FIFA under 17 World Cup, after their second match. The Young Football Ferns lost to Japan 3-0 in their recent match in Azerbaijan.
Friday September 28, 2012
sport
19
sports talk
Richie putting his feet up next year
chris tobin
email: chris@blenheimsun.co.nz
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been the centre of attention in the past week with the announcement that he will have a six month break next year. It’s richly deserved (excuse the pun) and highlights again the pressures that top players are under. McCaw went through all the high drama of last year’s World Cup with an injured foot and but for his leadership it is possible the World Cup could now be residing in France. He makes a major impact
whenever he takes the field. This was apparent in the last Crusaders campaign this year. The Crusaders were an ordinary looking outfit until McCaw turned up later in the season and while they did not match their old-time excellence, they did manage to make it to the semis of the Super 15 against eventual winners, the Chiefs. Over the past week some reports have been calling McCaw the greatest All Black ever, even the greatest rugby player ever. It’s
strange that at the same time his mate Dan Carter has dipped in the ratings when for a period there he, rather than McCaw, was the chosen one as far as the media were concerned. Now people have woken up to recognising McCaw’s extraordinary class. I was listening to Murray Deaker on his radio show during the week and he remarked how he heard the other candidate for greatest All Black ever, Colin Meads, say the rugby rules were too complicated.
Talent heading North Story and photo by Annabelle Latz Marlborough’s duathlon talent is heading north this weekend, to battle against the best in the country. The National Duathlon Championships in Taupo on Sunday will involve Jess Barnes and Will Hart in the secondary school grade, and Jeremy McKenzie will be amongst the elites. All three athletes won their respective overall grades at the Bike Fit Winter Duathlon series. Marlborough Girls’ College student Jess, 18, said her background in cross country running led well into duathlon competitions. “I noticed that I was alright at running, then I did the year 12 duathlon last year and it just carried on from that.” This year she won the South Island duathlon, and is about to enter her second triathlon season, which she gained some winning results in last summer. “I’m excited about this weekend, I hope I get lots
of experience from it,” said Jess. Jess would like to see more young people get involved in the duathlon and triathlon scene in Marlborough. “The scene is definitely growing,” she said. Marlborough Boys’ College student Will Hart, 17, with a cycling and swimming background, gained a second placing in the Tasman Secondary School’s Triathlon in 2010, which sparked a focus of interest. That same year he finished in the top 20 at the Duathlon Nationals in Christchurch. Last year he suffered hypothermia at the National Triathlon Championships in Queenstown, so had to pull out during the bike phase. “It motivated me to keep training, so I could give it another shot.” Will said duathlons provide a great training base. The duathlon for him and Jess will involve a five kilometre run, a 20km bike, and a 2.5km run. “I’m confident I’ll get in the top 10, but I’m a bit
nervous,” said Will. Jeremy McKenzie, no stranger to the top spots across duathlon, triathlon and multi sport events, said this weekend’s competition will be a great warm up to the World Triathlon Championships in Auckland in October. The 35 year-old senior wine maker from Villa Maria Estate won his age group race at last year’s Duathlon Nationals, also in Taupo. He was fifth overall including the elite racers, even though his age group race started just after the elite start gun. “I boosted it to catch up to them.” He said his form this year is not quite matching last year’s, but is a reflection on his focus for the World Triathlon Championships. Jeremy’s race on Sunday will involve a 10km run, a 40km bike, and a 5km run. The run is fast and flat, with an undulating bike with a big hill. “There will be some fast
Meads said there were too many rules, he couldn’t follow them and he doubted if anyone in the country knew them all either. I had the pleasure of interviewing Meads in Christchurch a few months back where he said the same thing. What came out of that interview too was that while Meads is regarded as a true legend of the game, in the end even his opinion does not carry much weight with the people now running rugby. These are the people drawing up the rules. That’s professional sport I guess.
Jess Barnes and Will hart head to the duathlon Nationals in taupo this weekend
guys there,” he said. “I’ll be able to hold a far better pace, because playing catch up (last year) takes a lot out of you.” Ray Boardman coaches Will and Jess, and said more depth with the number of younger duathletes and tri-
athletes in Marlborough is needed. He has a coaching academy, and is keen to see more talent joining up. “It’s to give the future of sport in Marlborough a boost,” said Ray.
Commitment to school volleyball recognised By Robbie Parkes Thirty-five years is a long time to be involved with a sport, but for Roy Titheridge, volleyball has been a fulfilling part of his life. The Marlborough Girls’ College teacher and volleyball coach was recognised with a Service Award to secondary school sport on Tuesday night at the school’s annual sports awards. The national award was presented on behalf of the New Zealand Secondary School Sports’ Council and highlighted Roy’s commitment to the sport. The school holds a special place for Roy, especially as it has essentially been his first and only workplace. “I started here in 1977, on my 21st
birthday.” The funny thing was, Roy had never been that involved with the sport prior to working at the school. “I had a couple of social games at training college, but the volleyball team needed a teacher.” “They didn’t need a coach, they coached themselves,” he joked. From there Roy would go on to play and coach the sport, with a number of successes along the way. Fourteen of the girls he has coached in his career have gone on to represent New Zealand. Roy also led the school’s senior volleyball girls to victory this year, with the team scoring a bronze at the national secondary school tournament.
“Before I retire I’d like to get gold, and I think we’ve got the team next year to do it.” “Because Blenheim’s so isolated and small, we have to work hard to compete, and that’s the complete David and Goliath story.” The team this year for instance, headed up to the Bay of Plenty, playing an approximate 35 sets in 45 hours. We just went from school to school to get the games and get the experience, he said. “Marlborough’s a great place, the volleyball has kept me here and kept me going. There are people like me, who are hooked on it.” roy titheridge has been involved with volleyball for 35 “It’s been a blast and I thoroughly years and was recognised this week for his commitment to enjoy every minute of it.” the sport at secondary school level.