Wednesday October 31, 2018
SPORT
11
Wainuiomata High School off to finals Wainuiomata High School has managed to defy the odds and qualify for the Condor National Secondary School Sevens finals. The Wellington regional qualifiers were held over Labour weekend at Naenae College, with Wainuiomata High School as well as Scots College, St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, St Mary’s College earning trips to the nationals in December. Despite only having seven members show up, meaning no reserves throughout the day, Wainuiomata had a massive achievement. Wainuiomata’s only win of the competition came during pool play when they beat Wellington East 30-nil. Sixteen teams competed in the regional qualifier, a drop from the 19 that competed last year. A special mention went out to former Wainuiomata Rugby Club player Daniel Olive and Wainuiomata women’s player Brooke Tauaneai for investing their time into the high school teams. As the girls side only has six weeks to attend, players are fundraising to get themselves there. If you can help, please email the school or message Wainuiomata High School Rugby on Facebook. This will be the first time Wainuiomata has contested the Condor sevens finals since 2012.
Wainuiomata’s representatives following the regional competition recently. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Two teams that play in the men’s grade on Thursday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Basketball league for the community A social basketball league is proving successful in Wainuiomata. Sport Wainuiomata started a community basketball league earlier this year and already there are several teams playing weekly across two grades – mixed on a Tuesday night and men on a Thursday. Peter Cowan, from Sport Wainuiomata, says both grades are full with more teams wanting to enter. He says there are a few ex-Saints players involved but most teams are social, with high school and whanau teams and some serious players. The league has another four weeks to run
before finals start. Renee Olsen is the convenor of the basketball league, and says the league caters for all players from young to old, from fit to those getting back into team sports, and is affordable for everyone. “This league is important for this community as it allows our young up and coming players to play against more experienced players. We have players as young as 13 playing against ex-Saints players,” Renee says. The leagues are run to help develop high school aged players, to give them the confidence to play against older and more experienced players.
Walking to step up level of earthquake preparedness After a major disaster, Wellington roads and rail links could be cut off, with the only way home being on foot for many around the region. To help the Hutt Valley residents who work in the Wellington City get better prepared, community groups are asking people to join them in practising their long walk home. On November 10 and 11, Kāpiti Lions and the Rotary clubs of the Hutt Valley will be organising walking events from Wellington to Kāpiti via Porirua, a total distance of 50k, and from Wellington to the Hutt Valley, a total distance of 30k.
Now in its third year, the success of the Kāpiti walk has prompted the Rotary clubs in the Hutt Valley to get involved. These events are fully supported by t h e We ll i n g to n R e g i o n E m e r g e n c y Management O f f ice ( WREMO), that works to encourage people to increase their level of preparedness for real-life emergencies. This year’s Long Walk Home for the Hutt Valley will start at 8.15am on Sunday, November 11. The route will see people walk from Wellington Railway Station to County Lane, Silverstream.
Sports talk
with Jacob Page
Johnson the scape goat for the wrong reasons The Warriors may have found their ultimate scape goat. Speculation suggests the Kiwi NRL franchise is ready and willing to part ways with million dollar halfback Shaun Johnson. The 28-year-old still has a year to run on his contract but it appears he may need to find a new home for the 2020 season. The news, first broken by the New Zealand Herald late last week, appears staggering to a non-Warriors fan like myself. Johnson has the x-factor and ability to rattle any defence. Most importantly he is respected and feared by Aussie league pundits. However, he looks set to be the fall guy for the years and years of Warriors mediocrity. Since their arrival in the competition in 1995, the Warriors have never won it. In recent times, they haven’t come close. However, you’d be a brave man to lay the blame at the feet of Johnson. The Warriors’ issues go far deeper than
who runs their backline. Their forwards have, for the part, been described as lazy and lacking impact, unable to give the team the go-forward in the middle of the park which has made it hard for the backs to work their magic. The culture, coach rotations and inconsistent form has also plagued the Johnson tenure which began in 2011. By moving away from a Kiwi half, the franchise will have to lure an Aussie from across the ditch. That means offering more money to entice the move. The Warriors have had mixed success with that ploy and mostly they’ve stumbled into good fortune. Their best was James Maloney who was a great addition and has been just as dynamic for other clubs after his departure. Speculation is Parramatta’s Corey Norman may be the target. A solid player but not a proven world-beater. This is a serious case of watch this space.