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Friday 19 February 2021
Black Stick swings by Bay
Golden Bay’s hockey players rubbed shoulders – and sticks – with one of New Zealand’s top players last week. Black Sticks goalkeeper Richard Joyce was in Takaka to bully-off a series of South Island workshops, part of a programme run by the Asia NZ Foundation. Speaking before the session, Richard explains that he recently returned to New Zealand from Belgium, where he plays for professional league side Racing Club de Bruxelles. “The season started in August but was stopped due to Covid after six games.” He hopes to rejoin his teammates when restrictions ease. “I’m looking to go back next season; the Belgian league is one of the best in the world.” He first stepped into the hockey goal after being inspired by his school coach. “I started in year 9; English ex-goalie Chris Lee ran amazing sessions – I loved it,” says Richard, who relishes being the last line of defence. “In cricket I was a wicket-keeper, in
football I was a goalie and in rugby I was a full back.” His relaxed and friendly demeanour belies this dedicated and competitive individual who has travelled the world, collected two Commonwealth Games silver medals and been part of the 2016 Olympic squad. “I went to Rio as the travelling reserve.” Although his masterclass takes place on the high school’s all-weather pitch, the 20 or so eager learners aren’t all students. GB Hockey Club junior coach Zara Pedersen, one of the more senior participants, is looking forward to getting back into swinging her stick. “This will be a good pre-season warm up.” Richard begins the session with a shooting practice drill in which players take turns to accept the ball before unleashing a strike at goal. Some shots are more powerful than others, but it’s not Richard trying to stop them; Motupipi School principal Lisa Malones is the one standing in the goal mouth dressed in full protective gear – and loving it. “It’s like a dream; I’ve watched him over the
JO RICHARDS
last few years. It’s a real coup to have him in the Bay,” says Lisa from behind her face grill. Subsequent drills include attack versus defence scenarios and close-quarters skills. Keen youth player Anya Murray is clearly enjoying the workshop. “Some of these drills are completely new to me.” Zara is very grateful to Richard and says his visit is a massive boost for hockey in the Bay. “It’s really invaluable for the kids to be relating to and learning from someone at the top of their game like he is. What an opportunity. He was incredibly patient, kind and generous with his time.” Zara has also been very generous with her own time – coaching the Bay’s younger players for a number of seasons. But this year she is hoping to up her game by playing in Nelson. “I’ve reached the stage where I would benefit greatly from some coaching myself.” Her absence will create a vacancy for a junior coach. “If anyone is interested please contact me at zara.pixie@gmail.com,” says Zara.
In its first meeting of the new year, the Golden Bay Community Board (GBCB) covered a lot of old topics including freedom camping, seabird protection, coastal defence and the grandstand, but also unearthed something new. Public Forum Given the move to Covid Alert level 2, Tuesday’s format was tweaked slightly so that, for the most part, speakers were allowed into the boardroom of TDC ‘s Service Centre in Takaka one at a time, with Abbie Langford acting as usher as well as chairing the meeting. The first speaker to address public forum highlighted potentially serious implications of the Government’s Water Services Bill, which recently had its first reading and is currently out for consultation until 2 March. Mik Symmons explained that anyone who supplies water to any property other than their own will be classed as a water supplier and become subject to strict quality criteria along with associated ongoing compliance costs. The legislation, he believes, will affect many small local schemes. “There are a lot of informal arrangements in Golden Bay.” Mik’s request that the board provide feedback to the Select Committee, was later agreed, with TDC environment and planning manager Dennis Bush-King offering to draft a submission. On behalf of Forest and Bird Golden Bay, Cynthia McConville outlined plans to develop Taupata Gravel Reserve as a bird-watching site. The proposal, which is supported by Department of Conservation and TDC, involves extending current bunding to provide protection for birds, installing a hide, and adding explanatory signage. The funding is already available, thanks to a generous bequest, but Cynthia was seeking formal support from the board, which was granted. A few kilometres along the coast from Taupata, residents of Pakawau are also concerned about protection – of their homes. Chair of Pakawau Community Residents Association (PCRA) Nigel Lloyd was disappointed with TDC’s lack of progress in finding a solution to ongoing coastal erosion which threatens beachfront property. Referring to the minutes of the previous community board meeting, Nigel said it appeared that “no further action had been taken” to address the concerns of the PCRA. He sated that the PCRA has identified solutions and “expects a response from council and to work towards direct action to initiate effective coastal protection…” Continued on page 2
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Top tips: Black Sticks goalie Richard Joyce (right) hands out some expert advice to Lisa Malones while Jamal Murray looks on. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
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THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2021
School makeover
Gardening column
ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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