G O O D
S P O R T
STUCK IN A RU C K Rugby participation in high schools around New Zealand continues to drop. Figures from Rugby New Zealand show that the number of teen players registered nationally has dropped from 37,372 to 35,432 between 2009 and 2019. The same teens appear to be moving to sports like football and basketball, the latter of which had grown by 50% in the same period. The deputy principal of Hutt Valley High noted in 2020 that when he arrived nine years ago the school fielded five robust school rugby teams, but now they were struggling to produce three. The numbers may indicate a change in New Zealand’s interest in the code, which remains our most potent export.
PARK LIFE
BATTLE OF THE BOOTS
PERFORMANCE PENSIONERS
Pukehuia Park in Newlands is now open to the public. Formerly known as Newlands Park, the space has two new play areas to suit both younger and older children, a basketball half-court, and a skate area. Northern Ward Councillor Jill Day was most excited for the parks “all-weather Ki-O-Rahi pitch and being able to head along with my tamariki to play this traditional Māori game.” Time for some fresh air we think.
Berhampore’s Wellington Olympic football team came out as Central League champions against rivals Miramar Rangers last month in a 1-0 victory. The single goal came from a coast-coast pass from left-back Rory McKeown to Kailan Gould, who brought the ball down inside the penalty box to deftly chip the Miramar goalkeeper. The result put Olympic beyond retrieval for the Central League Championship, and secures them a place in the recently updated National league Championship, which will run from October to December.
Pensioners, grandparents, and elderly athletes across the region are gearing up for the Senior Regional Games at ASB Sports Centre on 2 November. Featuring a suite of physical activities from bowling to badminton, the free social event is designed for those 60 and over to take part in fun physical and social activities. The main goal of the event is to “challenge the assumption that the older you get, the fewer opportunities there are to stay active.” Registration is open now, and is suitable for everyone from the less-active-than-I-usedto-be walker, to the daily morning swimmer.
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