Pipiwharauroa "TŪRANGA HEALTH"
Page 15
After freezing conditions forced the postponement of Tranga Health’s first school rugby league tournament the final event was held in perfect conditions and attracted hundreds of competitors and spectators.
The Tranga Health Trish Hina Primary Schools Rugby League Tournament was held at Te Wharau School and Ilminster Intermediate School in June.
League in Schools kaiwhina Hotorene Brown said postponing the tournament to avoid youngsters playing in the bitterly cold conditions was a logistical challenge but worthwhile. “We lost a couple of schools who couldn’t come down that day, but we actually gained two more who could!”. The Tranga Health Trish Hina Primary Schools Rugby League Tournament was held at Te Wharau School and Ilminster Intermediate School on Tuesday 30 June. Thirteen teams of year 5 and 6 children, took part. The tournament was held in honour of Gisborne sportswoman Trish Hina, who represented New Zealand in league, union, touch and softball. In the lead up to the competition Hotorene and other Tranga Health staff visited schools weekly helping tamariki learn the skills associated with rugby league. Hotorene says he was incredibly impressed with the result.
“What I saw was really good considering most of the kids had never played before. The new schools did very well.” Hotorene says the team from Cobham School left him speechless. “They were doing things in the tournament that I could NEVER get them to do during training!”. The winning team from Te Wharau earned tickets to the historic NRL game between Melbourne Storm and St George Ilawarra Dragons in Napier on Saturday 25 July. Hotorene said there are a number of “unsung heroes” from the day and he would especially like to pay tribute to the coaches, parents, whnau and supporters who helped teams get to the games and help create a fun family atmosphere on the sideline. Tranga Health is preparing to host a second rugby league tournament for year 7 and 8 students on Thursday 11 September. Coaching in schools started last week.
T Kaha is back for August and September! Tranga Health’s fitness programme with a mix of Zumba and CrossFit is coming to a rural centre near you! Manutuke: Mondays, Manutuke Marae, 6pm Matawai: Tuesdays, Matawai Marae, 3.30pm Te Karaka: Tuesdays, Scout Hall, 6pm Muriwai: Wednesdays, Muriwai Marae, 6pm Rere: Mondays, Community Hall, 6pm Whatatutu: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Mangatu Marae, 6pm.