Tauranga toddlers kick into football

˜ e ball may be nearly one-third of their size, but that won’t stop them from giving it their best kick!

Footballing partners

Jade O’Neill and Kieran Trim are starting Tauranga toddlers young on the ÿ eld, opening up their toddler football programme – Mighty Minis – last month.

Moving down from Auckland mid-2022 with their three-year-old son Ezra, the couple realised there was something missing in our local toddler sport scene.

“Down here we just found Monday to Friday there was hardly anything there, and in toddler sport especially, football only started at four years old – so we wanted to start something that younger children could get involved with,” says Jade.

“I’ve played football all my life and coached teams, and Jade is a primary school teacher and she’s amazing with kids and we thought we’d have a good experience and shared knowledge to know how to be able to pull this o˛ ,” says Kieran.

Jade and Kieran kicked o˛ their ÿ rst class on Anzac Day and have started with a happy mixture of smiles and frenzy. Jade says the class was “chaos but the feedback from the families is really good saying that their kids had a load of fun and want to come back!”

For the toddler age range, classes are focused on skills rather than team games. “Toddlers learn listening, responding, balance and coordination and prepare to actually focus in a team,” says Jade. “˜ ey are learning how to pass the ball and dribble the ball and working with their parents as well.”

“I’m hoping this experience is going to be a good one for people and that we are able to let the kids have a great time so they can run around, kick the ball and just get as much joy as I’ve had from football in my life,” says Kieran. If you’re interested in getting your toddler into football and want more information, email: mightyminisfc@ gmail.com

Mauri Ora – Speak up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

For more information on Pink Shirt Day and to donate, visit: https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/

News from Bay of Plenty Regional Council May 2023

Discover your impact on the planet

FutureFit is an online tool that provides users with a snapshot of their impact on the planet. It is simple yet powerful way for people to engage with climate change, and it is quick and easy to use. Visit www.futurefit.nz today to learn about your carbon footprint and see how your everyday actions can make a difference.

Have your say about the future of freshwater

Change is coming for landowners, as regional councils across the country work to set new objectives, policies, and rules to protect the health of our freshwater.

Central government released a National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management in 2020, and regional councils must update our regional policies and rules to give effect to this.

Over the next few months, our team is holding events across the region to update you on the key freshwater management issues are for our region and for your FMU, and the draft options we are thinking about to manage them.

A list of upcoming drop-in sessions near you is below or you can access a full list at boprc.govt.nz/freshwater.

Upcoming events in your area:

Waiōtahe: Friday 19 May 2-7pm: Waiōtahe Settlers Hall, cnrs Main Road and Waiōtahe Valley Road

Tauranga Moana: Sunday 21 May 10am-2pm: Waimarino Water & Adventure Park, 36 Taniwha Place, Bethlehem

Rotorua: Tuesday 23 May 2-7pm: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Mokoia Drive, Tihiotonga, Rotorua

Tarawera: Tuesday 30 May 2-7pm: Firmin Lodge, Waterhouse Street, Kawerau

Whakatāne: Wednesday 31 May 2-7pm: Eastbay REAP, Pyne Street, Whakatāne

Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme photo winner!

The winner of the Love Our Lakes photo competition was Natasha Russell with this snap of her boys enjoying the lakes. Natasha’s photo, as voted by the public, embodies intergenerational connectedness to our lakes.

Natasha said her favourite places were Lake Rotoiti, Honeymoon Bay, Tamatea Bay and Manupirua Hot Pools.

“We like to take our whānau jetskiing and boating to places my Papa took my father as a kid, my father took me as a kid and now I take my kids.” The competition is run annually and draws a range of beautiful images and stories from the public. The finalists are chosen and then the public votes for their favourite image. If you’re out and about enjoying the lakes over the year, remember to enter next time!

Learn more about our Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme mahi here www.rotorualakes.co.nz

Stopbanks… not stock banks!

Stopbanks… not stock banks! Through the wet winter season, we’re reminding rural landowners to help ensure stock aren’t causing damage to stopbanks. Overgrazing or pugging on stopbanks removes grass cover that holds the soil together. When the top layer of the stopbank is weakened, it impacts the overall structure and, potentially, its effectiveness during a flood.

Stopbanks are an important part of our flood defences, but we need your help to keep them in good shape.

For more information about stopbanks and flood defences, check out our website: www.boprc.govt.nz/flood-defences