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Quick actions stop spill in tracks Paula Hulburt Editor
paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz
The quick actions of an oil spill response team mean no wildlife have been harmed in what could have been a potentially devastating accident. Disaster response experts have helped stop an oil spill after diesel from a submerged train started leaking into Picton Harbour. The Kiwirail remotely controlled shunt locomotive plunged from the wharf on Thursday and was recovered from the seabed on Friday night. Fears the area’s Blue Penguin population would suffer proved unfounded. Regional Onsite Commander Luke Grogan, who is also the Marlborough Harbourmaster, says the locomotive was laying in approximately 10 metres of water. Marlborough’s regional Oil Spill Response Team swung into action immediately, he says. Blue penguins were at the centre of fears for wildlife should the leak have worsened, Luke says. But investigations have found none have been affected. “The team wildlife co-ordinator engaged with specialist oil spill response wildlife advisors from Massey University during the spill and DOC was ready to assist,” says Luke. “These experts identified a potential risk to blue penguins if the
Marlborough’s regional Oil Spill Response Team worked quickly to contain the spill. Photo: Supplied/Marlborough District Council. spill escalated so we were ready to address that. “The nest in closest proximity was under the ferry terminal and that was not impacted. Funnily
locally owned and operated
enough, as we retrieved some of our equipment within the Port Zone late Friday night, we heard the call of a blue penguin nearby just as we were finishing up.
“We will assume it was an expression of contentment with our efforts!” Response team divers managed to successfully block a fuel
breather pipe and stop the remaining diesel spilling out. The response team surrounded the
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Quick actions stop spill in tracks from PAGE 1
100% locally owned and operated
site with spill containment and sorbent booms, which soak up oil but not water. Calm weather conditions helped the containment says Luke. “The rate of discharge reduced significantly once it was blocked. However, we cannot be sure it wasn’t seeping out from other places as well.” The locomotive had a diesel fuel tank with a capacity of 1,000 litres and contained other engine lubricants. The exact quantity of diesel on-board was unknown as the shunt is only filled as required. Marlborough District Council has a total of 20 trained responders in the Reginal Oil Spill Response Team. Given the spill did not escalate, a team of 12 were mobilised, Luke says.
“All the team undergoes formal oil spill training in Auckland with MNZ (Maritime New Zealand) when they first join and then we run two formal exercises per year plus responding to any real spills if required. “All responders must revalidate their certification every two years under assessment from MNZ. We also have a Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan in place which must be approved by the Director of Maritime New Zealand. “I revised the plan last year and was generally pleased at how things went but following every incident there are always opportunities for learning too.” Interislander services have now resumed, and the focus for the engineering team at Port Marlborough is repairing the linkspan and associated infrastructure, in order to reopen operations fully to the rail freight service, a
spokeswoman says. “We were pleased to be able to be able to re-establish the operations at the berth for road freight within 24 hours of the recovery. Our infrastructure and workshops teams have been working through the weekend to ensure that safe operations for road freight could resume. “We are now in the process of repairing the lower rail span to enable full operation of the berth as soon as possible, for this vital connection in New Zealand’s supply chain. “We would like to acknowledge the great teamwork shown by KiwiRail and their contractors, the Marlborough Harbour Master, Kenny Barging Picton, Marlborough Commercial Divers and our Port team who also make up the majority of the regional Oil Spill Recovery team. “The health and safety of all in-
volved in the recovery as well as the protection of the environment was paramount, and we are pleased that the recovery process was completed without incident.” she says. KiwiRail Chief Operating Officer Todd Moyle is also praising the recovery effort. “This has been a complex recovery job. I want to thank Port Marlborough, the Harbour Master, our contractors and the KiwiRail team who have kept the protection of the marine environment and the safety of everyone on site paramount during this difficult task. “It’s good to see the locomotive back on dry land, where it belongs.” Mr Moyle said the locomotive will be taken to a workshop for examination. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
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TUESDAY 7 September 2021
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Lab staff work to help tackle Covid Paula Hulburt Editor
paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz
Laboratory staff have been working round the clock to get thousands of covid swab results back to anxious patients. Medlab South Laboratory staff (part of the Southern Community Lab Group) across Nelson and Marlborough have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week during lockdown. Under Alert Level 4 swab numbers rose from 100 per day to more than 1000 on top of usual community and hospital testing. Regional Laboratory Manager for Nelson and Marlborough Rebecca Brosnan says staff have been “flexible and adaptable” when it comes to tackling the increased workload. “Under lockdown level 4, we move to 24/7 capacity in molecular pathology which we don’t normally do. ‘Everyone has been really adaptable and flexible. They know they are not in an industry where they just go into lockdown, it has to be business as usual.” Prior to the pandemic, the Blenheim based laboratory at Wairau Hospital and the one within Nelson Hospital had the capacity to analyse around 480 swabs a day. But with thousands of swabs flooding in from Communi-
Medical Laboratory Scientist, 2IC Core Laboratory Dallas Flight works at the Biological Safety Cabinet at Medlab South. Photo: Provided. ty Based Assessment Centres (CBAC) and local GP surgeries, it was clear that needed to change. Rebecca says. The main analyser at Nelson Hospital can now take up to 1500 swabs a day, taking swabs from across both regions. At Wairau, the analyser can be used for urgent results and for triage purposes in the hospital’s
Emergency Department. “This lockdown, because there were cold and flu symptoms in the community, we needed a much larger surge capacity,” Rebecca says. “To save time we were sending overflow to our sister lab in Canterbury but then adapted to cope so the analyser could take on more.” Results are usually back within 72
hours of collection during peak surge times. Rebecca says while ideally people would like results back sooner, the logistics involved make that a significant challenge. “The analyser has a six hour through put which gave us capacity for 480 a day going 24/7 and there are other complexities, a lot of steps in the process.”
“Capacity has now been increased to approximately 1500 per day” Under the laboratory’s emergency response planning, microbiologists and molecular staff in both Nelson and Marlborough are split into two bubbles at each site. This ensures there is always back up available should one team have to go into isolation. Staff must always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and each Covid swab is opened in a Biological Safety Cabinet for extra protection. “It’s something we’ve just got used to,” Rebecca says. With nine molecular and microbiology staff in Nelson and eight to ten technical staff in Blenheim, the teams are not huge. But they are busier than ever, Rebecca says. “In the first lockdown all community and hospital work was significantly reduced but this time there is still about 70 per cent of the normal workload coming through, so staff are doing that as well. “In Blenheim staff are on call during the night and in Nelson during peak times there are two staff on each night, one to deal with hospital work and the other concentrating on Covid swabs. “Staff have gone out of their way to make sure everything works. Every obstacle that pops up they have dealt with and that needs to be acknowledged.”
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Changing face of care amid Covid Wairau Emergency Department Charge Nurse Simon Langford talks to the Marlborough Weekly about some of the challenges faced by staff during lockdown. What is the biggest challenge at the moment for Emergency Department staff working in lockdown conditions? The biggest challenge is dividing our ED into two areas; one to manage patients presenting with possible Covid-19 symptoms and one for those that don’t. This means that staff have to use full protective equipment (PPE) in our Covid area, making sure we minimise the risk of transmission to other patients and staff. Wearing full PPE makes providing care an extra challenge, but it is one that our staff are fully trained and prepared for. The other challenging aspect is how we continue to provide the full range of emergency services. In the main, have patients been understanding of the need for restrictions and mask wearing? It has been really pleasing to see that the vast majority of people presenting to ED have understood the need for mask wearing, physical distancing and restricting visitors at this time. From all staff in ED, we are really grateful for co-operation in helping keep people in Marlborough safe. Is the department staffed to usual levels or do you have some staff who cannot work due to lockdown restrictions? We have been really fortunate that none of our staff have had to be reassigned to other, non-frontline positions, so in the main our staffing levels are the same as before lockdown. There have been a few occasions where staff have needed to stay at home to care for their children
while schools were closed. Again, we have been fortunate to have a really supportive group of staff in ED who have rallied round to help their colleagues. Lockdown and Covid are new challenges for us all, will this have a longer lasting impact on the way the ED operates longer term? Absolutely, we will always need to be able to respond to changes in lockdown levels to protect patients and staff. This means that our facilities need to be adaptable to any given situation and our staff need to be able to work safely in ever changing environments. Covid-19 has made us think about and challenge the way we have done things in the past to ensure that we all remain as safe as possible at work and in the community. Do you all have to wear masks all the time while on shift? The only time staff get to remove their masks is when they are taking a break, otherwise we wear masks for the entire shift. What is the most important message you’d like to get across to people before they come to ED? It is the same message regardless of lockdown restrictions: Please keep our Emergency Department for emergencies only. If you need to see a doctor for a non-urgent or non-emergency you can go to your GP in business hours or visit Marlborough Urgent Care afterhours. By doing this you help us save ED for emergencies. If you have any doubt whether to come to ED or not, call Healthline free on 0800 611 116. Stay safe and thank you for your support!
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TUESDAY 7 September 2021
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Hunt for beauty spot vandals continues Paula Hulburt Editor
paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz
Investigations are continuing to catch the culprits who forced their way onto a popular beauty spot, seriously injuring a swan which later died. Vandals broke through wooden barriers at the Taylor Dam causing damage to the grass and allegedly fatally injuring a black swan. The area remains shut off while investigations continue. A Marlborough District Council spokesman says police are helping with the investigation and enquiries are ongoing into the incident which is thought to have happened on the first Monday in Level 4 lockdown. Marlborough District Council’s park and open spaces manager Jane Tito says a vehicle or vehicles pushed through the wooden barriers at the lower picnic area. A member of the public discov-
The swans are a popular attraction for visitors to the Taylor Dam. Photo: File/Paula Hulburt. ered the seriously injured swan and badly damaged grass area. “At the same time as the grass damage was discovered, a seri-
ously injured black swan was also found by a member of the public. “The bird’s injuries were consistent with being hit by a car and
sadly it had to be put down by a vet,” Jane says. Due to the current Covid restrictions repairs to the area cannot be
carried out until a move to Alert Level 2. The gate at the top of the dam on Taylor Pass Road will be closed for the foreseeable future. Ms Tito said sadly the actions of a small minority have impacted on the majority with the dam now off limits to vehicles. Built in 1965 to control flooding within Blenheim, the dam reserve has become a sanctuary for teal, black swan, pukeko and duck. Land was purchased from Meadowbank Station to provide materials. Officially opened on 30 November 1965, the structure is the largest earth flood protection dam in New Zealand and is a popular spot with families and freedom campers. A full assessment of the damage, and the cost of repairs, is yet to be determined by Council’s Parks and Open Spaces team. If you have any information about the incident, please phone the Council on Ph: 03 520 7400.
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TUESDAY 7 September 2021
News
From the barrica Local Director Peter Meikle will ‘lead the barricade’ when he directs Blenheim Musical Theatre’s Production of Les Misérables in 2022. Joining the production team will be Linda Holdaway, as Musical Director and Liana Bell who will stage the Choreography. Peter talks to Chris Valli about the show and his plans.
You could say that Peter Meikle has a dream. Peter’s introduction to all thing’s theatrical began in the North Island while at school. “I started directing in 1962 – a one act play for Hamilton Playbox when I was at school and fell in love with the experience. There is a certain elegance in that in 2022 – 60 years later – I get to celebrate this milestone with the opportunity to direct one of the great theatre icons of the 20th / 21st century.” Peter’s Performing Arts resume is indeed comprehensive. The New Zealand native comes with a decorated list of transferable theatre skills. “I studied speech, drama, music and opera over the decades and have directed over 155 productions across all mediums throughout New Zealand, Australia, UK, USA and in France and feel that I have the tools to bring a depth of experience and life skills to this extraordinary piece of theatre”. Last staged in Blenheim in 1995, Les Misérables is set against the backdrop of 19th-century France. Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of adversity, broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – and become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Peter’s take on the story is primarily about two men and their journey towards redemption; Javert and Valjean. Set during the post Napoleonic era following the French revolution it reflects the breakdown and struggle of social order in a nation torn apart from lingering conflict. For Havelock-based Peter, it was a key decision. “The (BMT) Executive called for expressions of interest for a Director earlier this year and I de-
“
‘Les Misérables’ is one of those shows that really excites performers. - Peter Meikle.
Peter Meikle overseeing rehearsals of Blenheim Musical Theatre’s Aotearoa earlier this year. File Photo: Paula Hulburt. cided that it was a ‘now or never spectacle that reflects the gran- has led to greater depth, analymoment’. I applied and following deur of a major London produc- sis and ultimately understanda rigorous interview and presening. The show was last staged in tation process I was lucky enough Blenheim in 1995 and he hopes to be the final name on the table the new version will appeal to a and was offered the opportunity whole new generation, both in that must be every theatre practithe audience and on the stage. tioner’s dream come true.” “There is a whole new generation Twelve pieces of the set are flown of people who will discover the from the flies and a number of power and the magic of the show. large pieces of scenery move on The best outcome for BMT would the revolve by a set of railway be a season of full houses that enstyled tracks. joy and respond to the show in a The wardrobe takes up half a conpositive and proactive way.” tainer and is ready made in two The cast alone will be impressive, sizes for the cast. Over 350 cosPeter says, with more than 45 tume pieces are included in what singers, 40 backstage crew and an Peter describes “a visual specta- Peter Meikle has been directing orchestra of about 15 people. for 60 years. Photo: Supplied. cle”. Production plans around Covid “The Paris Bridge is a total of 480 will see auditions proceed regardkg. Everything about this produc- tion transported to Blenheim.” less of Alert Levels. tion is on the large scale – a visual Peter’s homework on the show Peter is clear on the creative im-
pact the ensemble or company will bring to the show. “The Company is at the heart of this production – whether representing starving people of Paris, co-workers in the factory, people on the Streets of the Barricade, Carousers at the Pub, Guests at a Wedding, Loyal Patriots. Protesters, Courtroom spectators - the ensemble work extremely hard in this production. “They are part of the developing story and part of the ultimate outcomes of the story. Their singing is pivotal to the power of the music and their harmonies are part of this extraordinary tapestry that unfolds throughout the production. Every ensemble member involved must create a complete story for each person they perform and have the skill and talent to constantly change character to reflect the story line with credibility and authenticity. They represent a richness and depth to the complexities that take place onstage and enrich the overall impact of the production for the audience. They have to be able to resonate with the audience in order that the power of the story connects with the audience.” Peter is excited about the October auditions and is adamant ‘the best possible company that we can muster in Marlborough’ will provide a window which reflects the immense depth of talent in the region.
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TUESDAY 7 September 2021
des to Blenheim
Last staged in Blenheim in 1995, Les Misérables is set against the backdrop of 19th-century France. The set of Les Miserable will be based on the London production. Photos: Supplied. “Many people choose very carefully which show they will audition for. ‘Les Misérables’ is one of those shows that really excites performers. It is partially because this is a musical that is totally sung – as in Opera. No spoken dialogue (apart from 4 lines at various points) so it really challenges the singer to be at their peak throughout the performance.” Les Miserable will be performed at the ASB Theatre from Wednesday, May 18 - May 28, 2022. Auditions will be held from October 9. There will be an information evening (on September 27, 7:30pm at 81A Lakings Road) followed by a weekend workshop on the weekend of October 1 – 3 before auditions com-
mence (October 9). Audition packs will be available to be downloaded from the BMT website from Thursday September 2. This includes character information, audition songs and times, the online registration process and all relevant background information. Production plans around Covid will see auditions proceed regardless of Alert Levels. At or under Level 2 auditions will take place at BMT. At Level 3 or above auditions will be conducted virtually with an online registration process to be utilised for booking and confirming auditions. Any queries to the Production Manager, Mike Wentworth @ mike.wentworth@bmt.net.nz
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TUESDAY 7 September 2021
Young people boost region vaccination record Paula Hulburt Vaccination levels continue to reach record highs across the region, with young people heeding the call to help. Across Marlborough a total of 2267 people aged between 12 and 19 years old have been vaccinated. Latest figures released by Nelson Marlborough District Health show a total of 48,815 doses have been given with 17, 338 of these second vaccinations. Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Baker says it is still vital that anyone with cold or flu symptoms be tested for COVID-19. “We need to rule out any colds or viral illnesses as COVID-19 so please get advice about testing if you have symptoms. “Testing is free from your GP or after-afters medical centre. Phone them first, or Healthline, and they’ll let you know if you should get a test. “You will most likely be asked to stay at home in your bubble until you’ve received a negative test
Vaccination levels across Marlborough are above DHB targets as children 12 years and over become eligible. Photo: File. result. “If you are unwell with symptoms, you should be at home in your bubble anyway, and doing
all you can to prevent making others in your household unwell – hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and cleaning surfac-
es that you touch regularly.” Figures from the Ministry of Health show that Nelson Marlborough Health is performing
above its latest weekly target rate of vaccinations, sitting at 123 per cent. The largest age group to have been vaccinated is the 70 plus group, with 13,590 vaccinations completed. Dr Baker says while the figures are encouraging, it is still important people protect themselves from the virus. “Lastly, please remember to wear a face mask when you leave your home to get tested – for any visit to an essential service during Alert Level 3. It’s an effective barrier between infectious sneeze and cough droplets and other people.” Everyone in New Zealand aged 12 years or over can now be vaccinated. Vaccinations are available at Stadium 2000 in Blenheim between 8am You can also book an appointment for a location (eg a smaller vaccination centre, GP or pharmacy) and time that suits you best: www.bookmyvaccine.nz
News Show on hold: Due to the latest Covid-19 Lockdown and Alert Levels, The Boathouse Theatre’s current show, Relatively Speaking has been postponed. Due to be performed between 15 and 25 September the Boathouse is confident the show will go on and advising current ticket holders to keep their tickets until further notice. Stall holders: Applications for stall holders for the 18th Havelock Mussel & Seafood
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Festival are open. The iconic event has been set for 12 March 2022. Apply at https:// www.havelockmusselfestival. co.nz/stalls/ Reunion postponed: The Tua Marina School 150th Jubilee committee has unanimously decided to postpone the celebrations due to Covid 19 restrictions. Details on a new date in due course and emails will be sent out soon to those already registered.
Beach bylaw: Time is running out to have your saythe draft East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw as submissions close at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 8 The draft bylaw proposes to prohibit motor vehicles on the beach. The aim is to improve public safety and enable habitat restoration and protection of the area’s many threatened and at-risk species. Have your say via Marlborough District Council website or contact them on 520 7400 for help.
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Plenty going on behind scenes as Mako prepare for NPC re-start Peter Jones
When the nation was given just six hours warning of a level four lockdown on Tuesday, August 17, people immediately flooded the supermarket aisles, filling trolleys with toilet paper and other “essential” supplies. However, Tasman Mako Head Strength and Conditioning coach Jimmy Holden had quite different priorities and an abbreviated time frame. “We had a management Zoom and agreed that the best thing we could do was to get some [training] equipment out to the [Mako] players straight away. Then they would have the resource to get all we needed to out of their bodies over however long this period was going to be,” he said. “The gym went to being full of equipment to absolutely empty. We took all the plates, barbells, dumbbells, cardio equipment, rowers, various bikes, bands, med balls, kettle bells … everything.” Jimmy and his helpers rapidly dished out the training gear according to the various players’ needs. “Our bigger boys, our tight five, need to get a fair bit of load through their back with squatting … so when we do return to scrummaging they have had some axial load. “At the same time, backs are more dynamic creatures so they don’t need quite as much weight. Kettle bells and dumbbells suit them. “A lot of the cardio equipment
Jimmy Holden, Tasman Mako Head Strength and Conditioning coach, helps the side prepare for their recent match against Auckland at Trafalgar Park. Photo Shuttersport. went to the guys who need to maintain a high aerobic load without relying on just on-feet conditioning. “But the first priority was to get the gear out so the players can tick away at their soft tissue management, which is the most important thing.” Jimmy says among several learnings from the previous lockdown was the realisation that a lot of change in a small period of time can create quite a few issues …
“so it was a matter of trying to keep things fresh and new, but not too new”. The 2020 lockdown saw many sports teams regularly come together on Zoom, but Jimmy said there has been less use of that medium this time. “I think we got to the point last year where everyone was Zoomed-out, it just became a bit tedious … less is more, so we speak to [the players] when we need to. We still have team
catch-ups, a couple of the boys had a birthday Zoom and we had some fun around that, but it is a balance. We also have a weekly F45 [45-minute circuit training] Zoom session each week, with F45 Nelson. “We were a lot more prepared this time around,” said Jimmy. “Just how to mentally handle it, that’s a big one for us. We have a group that is fantastic … if you have a common goal that is strong enough the players are go-
ing to put the work in, so then it’s just a matter of facilitating, giving them ideas and enough content, but not necessarily checking on them daily. We trust our group to get the work done.” However, Jimmy has set basic guidelines. We don’t tell them when to do [specific activities], the players are smart enough to manage that themselves. It is a matter of fitting it in around their family as well … it is a rare opportunity for these guys to have a little pre-season while in-season. “[The opportunity] is exciting. We have a really good chance here to come out and kick the door down first game back … to show what we have been doing in our own little bubbles.” When the nation drops to level 2 team training can resume, but Jimmy suggests it will take at least a week after that for play to begin. “I think that we would need a full week of training as a group for safe protocol. It is just a matter of integrating contact back into them, plus things like scrummaging, mauling and breakdown work which they haven’t been able to do. “An ideal scenario would be a week plus to build back into it, but the boys will be ready to go,” he added. “They are excited, they have enjoyed a little bit of a change-up but they are starting to get a little bit itchy now and ready to come back together as a team, chasing that common goal of back-toback-to back titles.”
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Opportunities knock for women cricketers Peter Jones
Women’s cricket is on a roll nationally, and Marlborough’s administrators are keen to maintain that momentum in this province. Eden Pettigrew, Marlborough Cricket Association’s community cricket development manager, and the MCA executive’s women’s committee have finalised a pathway for cricket in the region during the 2021-22 season. Board member Caroline Aberhart says, “we are on track to have cricket for women and girls of all ages and skill levels this season”. Among new initiatives is the formation of a girls-only cricket league, running on similar lines to the current boys’ fifth grade competition, staged on Friday evenings throughout the regular season. Eden says this competition is an introductory grade aimed at girls of any age up to 15, although there is expected to be flexibility around the age limits. A traditional ball will be used for the limited-over league, which is
planned to begin in October. From there players have the option of competing in the existing women’s social competition or moving into a new women’s programme, designed to get women’s cricket at a higher level up and running. For that group there will be training throughout October, then some Women’s Cricket League [WCL] matches in November leading into possible rep fixtures. The popular women’s social league is played on Wednesday night, in a six-a-side format and is scheduled to run for five weeks prior to Christmas and five weeks early in the New Year. Caroline says one of the group’s aims is to grow the social competition, “which has been so successful in getting women to give cricket a go over the past couple of seasons”. Eden, who has several years coaching experience for Sydenham Cricket Club, Christchurch Metro and Canterbury Junior Cricket Associations, says some players may decide to take part
Tessa Zillwood pulls out the sweep shot during last season’s women’s cricket festival. Photo: Peter Jones. in the social league as well as the WCL. She envisages strong support for the various women’s initiatives. “Women’s cricket is on the rise in general,” suggested Eden. “It is growing stronger each year … getting more and more coverage on TV. “Also, everyone in Blenheim is
so sporty. You talk to people who say, ‘the parents are playing sport, the kids are playing sport, everyone is enjoying it and getting amongst it’. “So there should be room for [women’s cricket] ... plus there are not many other team summer sports around at the moment.” Also on offer this year for po-
tential cricketers is a Women’s Cricket Festival, to be held immediately before the social league begins, then another Festival at the end of the season, this event proving popular last season. The local association have piggybacked off a NZ Cricket initiative, named ‘Yeah! Girls’, which is aimed at attracting players to the game in a less-traditional fashion, to help with funding and gear. Also getting on board locally are the Churchill Trust, who are sponsoring the Women’s Cricket Development Programme. Summing up, Eden says, “I guess the real aim of this is to take the success of the women’s social tournament and build women’s cricket in the region. “We know that there are females who want to play more competitive cricket so eventually I would like to see a 6-8 team competition among the girls and a four-team competition for the women as well.” To inquire about women’s cricket in Marlborough contact Eden eden@marlboroughcricket.co.nz
College quartet set to step up Peter Jones Despite their particular sports being on hold at the moment, four outstanding Marlborough college athletes have been recognised at a higher level.
Marlborough Girls’ College student Stormy Tupara has been selected in the New Zealand under-18 mixed team to take part in the Youth TransTasman test series to be staged in Christchurch in April 2022. The champs were postponed from Janu-
ary 2022. Stormy, also a premier grade netballer with MGC, has been a standout player in various Marlborough rep combinations over recent years. Also chosen to compete at a higher level are three members of the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV. Midfielders Cooper Roberts and Jake Pacey, plus captain and loose forward Will Mackenzie have been selected to attend the Junior Crusaders rugby camp in Christchurch. The trio have all enjoyed outstanding seasons, leading the way as MBC battled into the top six of the highly-competitive Miles Toyota Championship. Their final match, against Christchurch
Boys’ High School for fifth and sixth positions, has been postponed.
Stormy Tupara in action on the local touch scene. Photo: Peter Jones.
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Sport
TUESDAY 7 September 2021
21
Football authorities prepare for re-boot Peter Jones While there is no definitive picture as to how the conclusion of the Marlborough senior football season will look, some tentative dates have been put forward, dependent on COVID alert levels. Andrea Smith-Scott, Marlborough Football general manager, contacted all senior team contacts, referees and club committees today with an update on the ever-changing situation. “After the latest announcements of alert level movement, I just wanted to provide you with the tentative plan to finish the remaining two weeks of the senior
season,” she said. “As of today, we are awaiting the government to provide advice to Sport NZ regarding the guidelines for how sport must operate under alert Level 2 and alert Level 1. “As a result of this latest outbreak, we have been advised that these will differ from those implemented previously in 2020, especially around the number of people allowed to gather at a single event. These guidelines will be critical for all sporting bodies to assess the viability and practicality of running outdoor sport events such as games and training sessions. “We were advised that further
Marlborough football remains on hold, but plans are afoot for a timely resumption when alert levels permit. Photo Peter Jones. details will be released this week. “So, these dates are tentative of course pending the alert level guideline changes for sport, but just dates we are hopeful to be working towards thinking we may be in level 2 … and then lev-
el 1 for senior awards evening.” Andrea hopes the Knockout Cup semifinals can be played on Saturday September 18, under alert level 2, with the KO Cup finals taking place the following weekend, Saturday September 25. It is also hoped that the Senior Awards evening can be staged on Saturday, October 9, perhaps in alert level 1. If the country is locked into alert level three for four past those dates Andrea says Marlborough Football will be forced to cancel the remaining of the senior season and the Knockout Cup, “as we need to respect the start of other sporting codes for their
spring/summer seasons and we move into other commitments on our own football calendar”. Those commitments include several events planned for October. From October 3-7 the Tasman Club Rep Tournament will be staged at A&P Park, involving four age groups. It will be followed by the South Island Masters Games from 15-17 October. As this involves 40 teams and vast numbers of players and supporters, it can only be staged in level one. The popular Matt Neal Memorial Tournament is planned for October 30-31 with summer football starting in mid-November.
Young rowers on pathway to the top Peter Jones
Seven athletes from Marlborough clubs have been included in Rowing NZ’s National Pathway programme. Rowing’s governing body recently announced the first cohort of athletes selected on to the nationwide four-tiered scheme. Among them are Marlborough Girls’ College rower Meg Flanagan, Fred Vavasour from Marlborough Boys’ College, plus Kobe Miller and Logan Docherty from the Wairau Rowing Club. This quartet have all been selected in tier 2. In tier 3 are Lily Crawford, Dylan Burton and Ethan Alderlieste, all three out of the Wairau club. One of the three National Pathway coaches, and the only one residing in the South Island, is Blenheimbased Mark Stallard. The recently-introduced scheme identifies and supports athletes that have the potential to represent New Zealand on the international stage. This is a year-long selection in
Dylan Burton, left, and Fred Vavasour have been named in Rowing NZ’s National Pathway programme. Photo: Supplied. which National Pathway coaches University scholarships, aiming to across the country leading up to will work with club, university and ensure that they can be seamlessly the planned National Developschool coaches to support selected reintegrated to the New Zealand ment Camp & Regatta at Lake athletes, allowing them to develop Rowing system upon completion Karāpiro in late August, which locally, at a pace suited to their in- of their studies or for an U23 cam- unfortunately had to be cancelled dividual circumstances and with paign. due to COVID restrictions. a tailored training approach that Athletes are assigned to tiers Selection to tier 3 provides an fits with young athletes’ lives. The based on their entry level and can opportunity for athletes to join level of support available increases move through the tiers at any time e d u c a t i o n as the athlete progresses through through the year. programmes, the pathway. Over the course of the 2020 win- sharing knowlThis support also extends to ath- ter, athletes have been engaged in edge and exletes that are based abroad on winter development programmes pertise from
providers that work within the Rowing NZ performance programmes. Selection to an U19, U21 or World University team assigns an athlete to tier 2 while athletes who have been selected to an U23 team or are competitive at premier level can be assigned to tier 1. Selection to the National Pathway can take place throughout the year, so the list will be continually updated. Meanwhile, three more rowers from Marlborough clubs were recently named in the high performance NZ Summer Squad for the 2021-22 season. They are Ella Greenslade and Kirstyn Goodger, both from Wairau, and Tom Murray, out of the Blenheim club. In other rowing news, the New Zealand Masters championships have been postponed due to COVID. They are now scheduled for October 29-31 at Lake Ruataniwha.
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