SPORT
Wednesday March 8, 2017
19
Sports talk
with Jacob Page
Dark Claudio after Leicester sacking Churton Park-based Packaworld International’s bocce courts. PHOTO Supplied
Breaking down barriers at the Special Olympics A Churton Park company is breaking down barriers at the Special Olympics with their inflatable sports courts. The innovative courts produced by northern suburbs’ Packaworld International will take the field at the Latin American Special Olympics Games in Panama this April, along with more than 800 athletes from 21 countries. The courts provide the arenas for the sport of bocce, an ancient Italian sport similar to petanque and lawn bowls, to be contested by 110 athletes from 13 countries at the event. Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said competition bocce courts were 60 feet long and 12 feet wide, and were traditionally built
into venues or composed of bulky materials. “Bocce is the perfect platform for athletes with a disability to participate on the world stage because it is based on skill rather than physical build or capability,” Peter said. “The availability of portable courts that can be set up quickly anywhere there is a flat area will inspire people and programmes around the world to offer this inspirational sport.” Special Olympics International Chief Executive Mary Davis said playing at the highest level enabled Special Olympics athletes to challenge the stigma associated with intellectual disability, and innovations enabling more people to participate had immense value for unified sport.
“Since their creation, these courts have helped people experience the power of sport by making a unified experience accessible. For our athletes, that is invaluable. “Playing sport empowers people of all abilities to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. But for people with intellectual disabilities, sport is lifechanging. Sport can break barriers and end prejudices, and sports like bocce that offer a level playing field are precious,” Mary said. The use of Packabocce courts at the Latin American Special Olympics follows a successful 24-court tournament at the 2013 Asia Pacific Special Olympics, held in New South Wales where the courts have left a lasting legacy.
Sisters hope to go fast at nationals
The sacking of Claudio Ranieri from Leicester City is proof that professional sport is all about what you’ve done today. In May of last year, Ranieri was being serenaded by tenor Andrea Bocelli after leading Leicester from relegation favourites to English Premier League winners in one of the most stunning sporting triumphs ever. Now, with the gloss clearly gone and Leicester back in a relegation dog fight where many think they belong, Ranieri has been shown the door. Staying in the top flight of English football is worth millions to every club each year and for those in charge of the champions, it was too much of a risk to let sentiment get in the way of top tier survival. It’s a head versus heart decision. The head says change is needed, the heart says he deserves more loyalty based on past success. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho suffered the same fate in being sacked a season after he won the crown with Chelsea. Mourinho says his three EPL were not worth as much as Ranieri’s one, such was the magnitude of his triumph last year. The enigmatic football manager even wore ‘CR’ on his clothes as a sign of support. Granted since Ranieri’s departure Leicester has won two games which suggests to me the players may have played a role in his departure. There’s no doubt Ranieri will be a man in demand not only in England but for clubs worldwide keen to tap into his skills. However, loyalty has taken another hit in this brutal example of win or go home in modern day sports.
Firebirds to play at Cake Tin The Wellington Firebirds team which is set to play the Otago Volts under lights at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium from Monday to Thursday has been named. The Firebirds squad features several changes from their previous match, with Michael Pollard, Matt Taylor and Luke Ronchi joining the side. Taylor will be involved for Day 1 before stepping aside for Ronchi after his mandatory break following the BLACKCAPS’ ODI series. The round sees competition for the Plunket Shield move under lights for the first time in its history. With the Firebirds shifting down the round from their usual Basin Reserve venue, it is also the first time that Westpac Stadium has hosted First-Class cricket.
Attention all Kids and Parents From left Imogen Skelton, Izzy Hegan, Tessa Hunt and Lucy Hegan. PHOTO: Jo Murray By Dave Crampton
They are sisters, both play netball and musical instruments, and were the only siblings to medal in the same event at last year’s secondary school nationals. Both Izzy and Lucy Hegan, who run for the Olympic Harriers club, medalled in the 800m in close races. But Lucy, 14, is not a younger clone of her 17-year-old sister Izzy. She is getting faster, too and both want to go faster at next week’s National Track and Field champs in Hamilton. “She was faster at my age,” Lucy said.
“No, that’s not true,” Izzy retorted. It is true, actually – but Lucy is now catching up to her – and has run faster. In one recent event she clocked 2min 16.63, just a fraction faster than Izzy at 2minutes 17.13 seconds. Lucy was also 2nd in the junior 800m at her first National secondary school’s championships in December, clocking 2 minutes 17.37s in her semifinal – a then-personal best. In the senior girls’ 800m final, Izzy ran 2minutes 15 seconds for bronze. “But the final was very tactical. It was a slow race. I was 4th or 5th in the home straight and with
200m to go I thought ‘oh no, what am I going to do,” Izzy said. “It was a photo finish and the official said, ‘I think you came 4th’.” Lucy hoped she could go faster in the 800m than her sister ran at age 15. While she enjoys racing, Izzy prefers to run and train more than race. She likes the feel of running, and being out in the elements, which is perhaps why she did not quit last year. The girls say their father Nick used to be a good distance runner. “Dad gives advice and tactics,” Izzy said. But does he know what he is talking about? “He thinks he does.”
Seeking New Players Come along and play rugby for the Johnsonville Junior Rugby Club. Fun for the whole family! • Teams from nursery grade (U4) up to under 13 • 5 and 6 year olds play rippa rugby Cost: • $30 for nursery grade • $80 per child or $110 per family (2 or more) • Season starts 6 May 2017 Register on-line http://www.sporty.co.nz/johnsonvillerugbyjnr Contact details: johnsonvillejrns@gmail.com or Trina on 021 455121
We would love you to join us!