Mak Sports Magazine Issue one

MAK SPORTS YOUR LOCAL SPORTS MAGAZINE IN SEARCH OF GLORY Waimak United U17's

RIDING THE GOLDEN WAKE

A GENTLEMANS GAME Rangiora High School 1st XI Cricket

A long awaited win over the Australians

THE HIGHS AND LOWS Rangiora High School Girls Futsal

ISSUE #1

COVER PHOTO BY SKISHOTZ

RIDING THE GOLDEN WAKE

PHOTO BY SKISHOTZ

Held in March, the Annual OzKiwi Waterski Competition at Lake Wiritoa in Whanganui is a competition that involves three agegroups; U14, U17, and U21 skiers, across three categories; jump, slalom, and trick between New Zealand and Australia.

Young North Canterbury skier Diaz McKay was representing NZ in the U14 agegroup in the slalom and trick.

Diaz was the first skier to go in the slalom category and despite being very nervous she put in a solid run on the 14m line and was sitting 5th. In her next run she skied a new PB on the 13m line which jumped her to fourth overall, once the scores were combined.

The NZ waterski team had not one any agegroup since 2010, so it was a tremendous effort by Diaz and her teammates when they defeated the Australians to take Trans-Tasman glory, and gold medals in the U14 agegroup.

Diaz was encouraged to get into water skiing by her dad, a previous National ski champion, and remembers her first ride on his skis at the age of about 4.

She was skiing by age 9 and attended her first Nationals at 12.

Her main event is the slalom although she has now competed in the trick category too. She is coached by Hillary Munro and mum and dad are often in the boat as Driver and Observer.

Slalom involves skiing through buoys on one ski. U14's ski at 52km/hour and drop the length of rope with each successful pass, making it more and more difficult to reach the buoys. Next year Diaz will step up to 55km/hour when she joins the U17 agegroup.

Diaz is now mastering tricks, such as a 360, Back, Wake back and Wake front for which skiiers are judged on their competency and air off the wake.

Diaz competes regularly over the season from November to April, and is a member of the Lake Hood Ski Club.

She has had a few crashes including one in the last training before the OzKiwi competition, which knocked her confidence a little. But clearly she was able to pick herself up and is a determined athlete who conquers her fears.

NZ team members have to provide their own ski, valued around $3000, and handle, as well as wetsuit, gloves, and lifejacket. National meets are all around the country, and even for the TransTasman competition, skiers make their own way to the venue and organise their own accommodation. Diaz and her dad attended a competition at Lake Wiritoa prior to her representing NZ, and drove the caravan north parking up in a paddock in preparation. No power. But by all accounts the waterskiers are a tight knit bunch and camping out together just adds value to this sporting community. The caravan will travel a little further before the end of the season with Nationals on Lake Karapiro.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

At t h e Can t er bu r y Region als over t h e w eeken d on Lak e Cr ich t on Diaz w as sit t in g 2n d, bu t a t ou gh secon d day on t h e w at er w it h a ch allen gin g h eadw in d, m ean t sh e w as pu sh ed h er in t o t h ir d.

Next u p ar e t h e Nat ion als at t h e Piar er e Wat er Sk i Clu b, w h er e Diaz is det er m in ed t o get a podiu m f in ish . Th e Can t er bu r y t eam w ill also aim t o r et ain t h e Region al Sh ield f r om Sou t h er n , Cen t r al Waik at o, Bay of Plen t y, an d Au ck lan d.

In t h e f u t u r e sh e w ou ld love t o com pet e at t h e M oom ba M ast er s on t h e Yar r a River in Au st r alia, an d m aybe even at t en d college in t h e US on a sk i sch olar sh ip.

Sh e cer t ain ly h as t h e dedicat ion , an d a su ppor t ive f am ily t o h elp h er ach ieve h er dr eam s.

PHOTO BY MAKSHOTS

In Br ief The Waimak United men's CCL got their season off to a good start with a 2 nil win over Christchurch United (Danny Loney 2) and a 1-1 draw with Halswell (Kane Fraser) at the Easter double header but went down 1-3 (Floyd Duffy) to Parklands over the weekend. The women's WPL team went down to Coastal 0-3, then defeated Halswell 3-0 (Stewart 2, Rennie).

Harri Proctor from the Ashley Rugby Club was recently awarded an ARA Institute of Canterbury Scholarship.

Harri is studying a 2nd year Electrical apprenticeship.

NZ Football have named the players involved in their April Identification camps. The U20's and U17's are vying for selection in World Cup squads, while the U15's have been chosen in preparation for future selection.

North Canterbury footballers named in the squads are: U20's: Tahlia Herman-Watt, U17's: Gabi Rennie, Macey Fraser, Jayda Stewart, and Blair Currie, U15's: Lily Gerrard, Thais Munoz-Lintz (reserve)

North Canterbury Footballers were among the awards at the Canterbury United franchise end of season awards. Tahlia Herman-Watt was awarded the Pride Development Award, and Macey Fraser the Pride Futsal Players Player of the Year.

INSEARCHOF GLORY

Th e Au ck lan d Cit y Foot ball Clu b U17's t ou r n am en t is a pr est igiou s even t on t h e f oot ballin g calen dar . Team s f r om ar ou n d t h e cou n t r y assem ble in Au ck lan d in sear ch of glor y, an d t h e r igh t t o call t h em selves t h e Nat ion al Clu b Ch am pion s. Waim ak Un it ed sen t boys an d gir ls t eam s, u n der t h e gu idan ce of coach es St even M ason , an d Dave Pr ice f or t h e boys, an d Sh an e Ver m a, an d Du n can Reed f or t h e gir ls.

PHOTO BY MAKSHOTS

PHOTOS BY MAKSHOTS

Three gruelling days of battle ensued. Day one for the boys began with a good 1-0 win over one of Aucklands biggest clubs, Three Kings United.

Bradley Bradshaw the goalscorer. Next up were hosts, and eventual finalists, Western Springs.

They proved a notch above defeating Waimak 0-4. The final game of the day was a win over Ellerslie 1-0. Goal scored by John Gerber. Day two started with a dominant win over Tauranga City 2-0, with goals to Josh Crook and Samuel Stevenson. The boys were now being talked about, as they accounted for another strong Auckland team in Forrest Hill Milford. They dispatched them 1-0 following a goal to Lorenzo Rosewarne. This put them second in the pool and through to the quarter finals. Unfortunately their tremendous run came to an end when they were knocked out by Fencibles 0-3. Their top 8 finish meant they were the best performing South Island team. In the days following two players from the winning side, Wellington United, would make the game day squad for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League, such was the quality of the opposition.

PHOTOS BY MAKSHOTS

This was the third visit for the Waimak United girls to the U17 Youth Tournament. In previous attempts they finished 7th, and 6th, with very young sides but now they were more experienced and there was a sense that the top four could be cracked.

Day one began with a win over Glenfield Rovers 3-1, with goals to Macey Fraser, Gabi Rennie, and Jaz Ball. The second game of the day was against Three Kings United. Waimak gutsed out a one nil win following a goal from Rennie. The final game of the day was a come from behind win over Claudelands Rovers 2-1, with Rennie finding the net again, and Amelia Abbott scoring her first.

"Theydared todream."

With serious injuries to a couple of players, the heart and soul of team would be tested, but a dominant 5-0 win over Western Springs saw them safely into the semi finals. Jayda Stewart netted a hattrick, with Abbott and Rennie adding to their tallies.

The semi final was a torrid affair up against a physical Hamilton Wanderers side. Outstanding work at both ends of the park resulted in a 2-1 win. Maya Hahn converting a penalty and Stewart scoring the winner.

The final would be against last years winners Forrest Hill Milford, stacked with U17 NZ representatives. But the Waimak girls seemed to have lost all fear. Now they dared to dream. FHM found the back of the net, only to be denied by the offside flag. It was Stewart who would slip the ball into the back of the net for Waimak and that would be the difference.

Glory was found. Waimak United crowned U17 National Club Champions. An amazing achievement based on a strong work ethic from a fabulous bunch of girls, and coaches!

ATHLETE PROFILE SAM SHARP Rangiora High School 1st XI Cricket Age: 16 year s old

Nickname: Dim

Favourite Player: St u ar t Br oad

Other Sports/Hobbies: Squ ash

Favourite Big Bash team: Br isban e Heat Favourite Food: In dian Who would you like to invite to dinner: St u ar t Br oad & Ch r is Har r is What would you spend your last $10 on: Food If two famous people could be your parents who would they be: Ch r is Pr at t an d Em m a Wat son

Sam is a Year 12, and bowler for the Rangiora High 1st XI Cricket team. Sam enjoys playing against St Bedes because the matches are always competitive and he enjoys the "banter".

A season highlight was the match against Darfield in the Gillette Cup pool play. "Darfield needed about 20 runs to win and we needed 8 wickets with 10 overs to go. We won by two runs. It was great!" Another high was winning the one-day Bowl competition. There was lots of singing in the changing sheds. Sam has best bowling figures this season of 3 for 28 off 12 overs in the 2 day competition, and was team MVP.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

THIS OR THAT Eggs scr am bled or poach ed: Poach ed Wh it e Br ead or Br ow n Br ead: Br ow n Su m m er or Win t er : Su m m er Ch ocolat e or Pot at o Ch ips: Ch ocolat e Cat s or Dogs: Cat s

Beach or Pool: Beach Book s or M ovies: M ovies Fict ion or Non -f ict ion : Non -f ict ion For d or Holden : For d Sn eak er s or Jan dals: Jan dals

THEHIGHSANDLOWSOFSPORT Futsal was introduced to Rangiora High three years ago. A bunch of girls playing Sunday Futsal in the youth boys leagues decided to have a crack at the schools competition, and the foundation was built for what would be remarkable success. The team have few opportunities to train, but the squad did play together in the Canterbury Secondary Schools senior boys mid week competition as preparation for this years Regional and National competitions.

The Regional Futsal Championships were first up, and the girls were crowned Champions for their third consecutive year, following an undefeated run at the Canterbury Secondary Schools Championships. They easily accounted for all opposition, defeating Lincoln High 8-1, St Andrews College 5-1, and Marion College 11-1. The semi final was a win over Marion College 6-0, and final another 5-1 defeat of St Andrews.

Riding a high, the girls were optimistic about their forthcoming appearance at the Secondary Schools Nationals in Wellington.

After two previous attempts at the National title finishing in bronze medals, the girls were looking for a golden run.

PHOTO BY MAKSHOTS

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Many of the squad were backing up from representing Waimak United at the U17 tournament in Auckland, and as a result of injuries suffered during that tournament, the team lost two key players, and jumped on an early morning flight a little wary.

But grit and determination have always been part of this teams stlye, and the first game up against Hutt Valley would test this. A 3-3 draw indicative of their efforts to stay in a tough match. Next up was Rangitoto College and a win and goal difference would determine the Pool winners. A great game for those watching the livestream at home, as the girls slotted 11 goals to nil.

They then won their round of 16 match against Napier 8-1 and were on to the 1/4 finals. This was an extremely tight and well contested match against Hamilton Girls High but the girls conceded a goal late, and suffered a 1-2 defeat, and their quest for the title was gone. The last game saw them finish on a high with a win over Whangarei 6-1, and captain Tahlia Herman-Watt picked up the Golden Boot award. Despite not achieving the lofty goal they had set themselves, they are certainly role models for their sport and school and look out for them next year as they definitely have unfinished business. PHOTOS BY MAKSHOTS

AGENTLEMANSGAME PHOTO SUPPLIED

A nicer bunch of lads would be hard to find, and no sign of sandpaper among them. The Rangiora High School 1st XI Cricket team have had a solid season.

Playing in the Metro Youth grade, the RHS team won the one-day Bowl Competition. Their first game against St Andrews College was abandoned.

The second a loss to St Bedes 2nd XI who put 163/10 on the board, and chasing Rangiora got close with 155/10. However that would be the only glitch on their way to the final.

Captain Angus Fletcher said there were a few tough games along the way, but different players stood up and played very well across the course of the competition. The final would be a repeat against the St Bedes 2nd XI. Batting first St Bedes PHOTO SUPPLIED

put up a mere 81/10. Superb bowling from Waller with 3 wickets for 4 runs, and Fletcher and Epps taking 2 each, the match was ripe for the taking.

Rangiora High would achieve their target only 5 down, with top scores from Smith 35, and Fletcher 17.

One day trophy bagged!

After Christmas the two day competition began, and the team stepped up a division to ensure the team kept developing but it was tough losing some strong Year 13s.

Their inconsistency left them 4th but some younger players were blooded.

5

In the prestigious Gillette Cup, National knockout competition, the RHS team won all pool play and were set to play Buller in the first round of the knockout. Buller conceded this match without a ball being bowled, so Rangiora would move through to the next round and face the Riccarton 1st XI. The match went down to the wire with Rangiora High needing one wicket from the final over, but it wasn't meant to be, and they were out for another year.

At the recent prizegiving, Sam Sharp was named Most Valuable Player, and Luke Campbell - Most Improved Player.

Sharp describes the team as a great group with strong bonds and friendships, and saying farewell to the Year 13's would be tough. This is backed up by Fletcher who said "cricket generally takes a day to play, so it's good to have not only teammates, but great friends." The nature of school cricket means the side will need to rebuild again, but gentleman they will no doubt remain.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

MAK SPORTS YOUR LOCAL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Th an k you f or r eadin g M ak Spor t s M agazin e SUBSCRIBE NOW t o en su r e you n ever m iss an issu e