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Ethan Halaapiapi, 11, holds the ball up at the OBM junior sevens tournament last weekend. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Opinion: Youth sport change is coming, are you ready?

29 Feb, 2020 11:00am
4 minutes to read

If this new direction will rid negativity from youth sport, there no reason to oppose it.

Jacob Buckle from Raglan Area School catches some air at Sandy Bay in the first edition of the 2020 Northland scholastics surfing series on Thursday. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Charlesworth and Carter top first school surf comp

29 Feb, 2020 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Kerikeri High School's Sky Gundry was too good for the rest of the under-16 girls field.

Damage to Bream Bay College's grounds last weekend wasn't enough to stop the school's annual athletics day yesterday. Photo / Supplied

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Vandals can't stop Bream Bay athletics day

29 Feb, 2020 8:00am
2 minutes to read

A record of 50 years was broken despite the track being vandalised a week earlier.

Mid Western Rugby Club president Carl Gunson (left) and head coach Danny Woodcock are putting the final touches on tomorrow's Mid Western 10s tournament in Maungakaramea. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Mid Western striving to set the standard

28 Feb, 2020 10:00am
5 minutes to read

The club's president took swift action after an incident between two clubs last year.

Bream Bay College bowler Amy Swanson, 15, storms through the crease in a Leaf Cup girls 1st Xl game against Kerikeri High School at Kensington Park yesterday. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Schoolgirls brave the heat in Leaf Cup day one

26 Feb, 2020 10:00am
Quick Read

Today's second round will see Otamatea High School's 1st Xl join the fray.

Keith Lineham from Mangawhai. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Northland sport detail: Local bowls and golf results

25 Feb, 2020 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

Northland's bowlers and golfers are certainly keeping busy.

From back left: James Cherrie, 36, Jonny-Rex Smith, 13, Kiwa Rawhiti, 11, Kyle Clements, 23. From front left: Siena Southall, 10, Breez Smith, 7, Tayla Southall, 11. Photo / Adam Pearse

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Northland jiu jitsu fighters rake in the medals

25 Feb, 2020 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

In the tournament's first edition, Northland's fighters walked away with a swag of medals.

Kerikeri boat Deep Throttle, manned by 23-year-olds Ned Dalbeth-Hudson and Nikolas Black ended the Evolution Sails Round North Island Race first leg in Mangonui with some company. Photo / Deb Williams

PREMIUM

Yachts crowd Northland waters for North Island race

25 Feb, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

It's rumoured a whale sabotaged the all-female crew from Christchurch in the first leg.

Northland senior men's bowler Hamish Kidd (centre) lets one fly against Counties Manukau at Cobham Oval over the weekend. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Northland end season with first innings win

25 Feb, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Northland's season was punctuated by a history-making T20 campaign.

Otamatea's Xavier Cooper, 14, runs through the rain in a game against Tikipunga's under-16 side at Pohe Island on Saturday. Photo / Michael Cunningham

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Future sevens stars on show

24 Feb, 2020 10:00am
Quick Read

Thirty-four teams from across Northland were scattered all over Pohe Island on Saturday.

How amazing would it be to see scenes such as this described over the airwaves? Northland's Tai Erceg-Gray flies over a wave. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Is lost cricket coverage a blessing in disguise?

23 Feb, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Will we see Radio Sport attend Northland's next surfing event?

Mason Barber (left), Martin O'Halloran, Snow O'Halloran and Tarelle Williams stand with their spoils from a great 2019 season for the Te Puna O Hokianga cross-code team. Photo / Adam Pearse

PREMIUM

Will rugby return to South Hokianga?

22 Feb, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Just a week after winning a rugby tournament, the team came third in a rugby league comp.

Northland cricketer Chelsea Traill, seen here about to smash a ball through the covers, will make history today as part of the inaugural New Zealand Māori Schoolgirls cricket team. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Traill makes history with Māori cricket call-up

20 Feb, 2020 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Traill will be flying Northland's flag proudly when she takes the field today.

Mason Chapman, 6, from Maungatapere School (far right) looks inside as Hayden Buckingham, 6, from Hukerenui School (centre) streaks ahead at junior athletics training on Monday. Photo / John Stone

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Future Northland athletes on show

19 Feb, 2020 10:00am
Quick Read

Will we see these young kids representing Northland on the world stage one day?

Event organiser Joesephine Nathan (left) and local kaumatua Ben Hita were two people who epitomise the mana that Pouto personifies. Photo / Adam Pearse

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Pouto: The epitome of mana

19 Feb, 2020 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Trip to Pouto challenged all I thought I knew about mana and strength, writes Adam Pearse.

Northern batsman Nick Hammond punishes a ball through mid-wicket on the way to his record score of 184 against City at Cobham Oval on Saturday. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Hammond hits 184 against City

18 Feb, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Hammond's impressive knock was the highest two-day score in the last five years.

Eager cyclists make a fast start below the Waikaretu Marae at the Pouto Lighthouse Challenge on Saturday in Pouto. Photo / Adam Pearse

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King smashes Pouto Lighthouse Challenge

17 Feb, 2020 10:00am
3 minutes to read

King, who only started running two years ago, has done 15 half marathons and two full.

McKay managing director Lindsay Faithfull (left) stands with Sport Northland's sponsorship and funding lead Colleen Atchison at the soon to be named, McKay Stadium in Whangārei. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

ASB Stadium to become McKay Stadium

17 Feb, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Founded in 1936, McKay is the first local sponsor since the Northern Advocate in 2004.

Northland's young cyclists striving for success Kurt Coetzee, 20 (left), Trevor Coetzee, 15, Bree Monaghan, 15, Jorja Swain, 18, and Tiree Robinson, 14. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Meet Northland's young cycling hotshots

16 Feb, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Being from Northland has not held these five cyclists back one bit.

Huanui College students Amelie McIlhinney (left), Danielle Gorrie and Charlotte Gorrie smile in the sun alongside horse, Moon Dragon at Barge Park yesterday. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Showjumping opens secondary schools sport

14 Feb, 2020 12:00pm
Quick Read

It looks like our young sportspeople will have a very busy schedule in the coming weeks.

Cheryl Smith (left), Blues talent manager Shane King, Sage Walters-Hansen, Georgia Brierly, Peter Hugo and New Zealand Rugby's Ben Fisher met on Wednesday. Photo / Adam Pearse

PREMIUM

Player retention a priority for new-look academy

14 Feb, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

The new academy system represents a step forward for the union at the age-group level.

Poutō Lighthouse Challenge organiser Joesephine Nathan poses beside one of many signs advertising this weekend's event raising funds for Cancer Society Northland. Photo / Supplied

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Poutō Lighthouse Challenge backing cancer fight

13 Feb, 2020 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Poutō is a special place and this weekend's event is raising funds for a special cause.

A dozen of Northland's most promising rugby talents are hitting the ground running at the new north zone high performance academy based in Kaitaia. Photo / Adam Pearse

PREMIUM

Mental skills key for new north zone rugby academy

12 Feb, 2020 9:30am
3 minutes to read

The new academy will be the base for 12 representatives of Northland's young rugby talent.

The sun was shining on all those who turned up to the opening of the Kaikohe 'The Hub' community basketball court on Saturday. Photo / Debbie Beadle

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'The Hub' basketball court valuable for all

11 Feb, 2020 10:00am
2 minutes to read

The courts proved a popular attraction on a good day in Kaikohe on Saturday.

Jean Kent from Waipū strokes another assured shot towards the hoop at a Northland Open tournament hosted by the Kensington Croquet Club over the weekend. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Croquet's best assemble in Northland

10 Feb, 2020 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Some of the country's best croquet players from five different regions came to Northland.

Onerahi opening batsman Austin Ryburn was out lofting a ball to Kamo's Matt Kingi at mid-on as the home side couldn't break triple figures on Saturday. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Boggy start plagues Onerahi

10 Feb, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Someone needs to tell the weather gods to steer the rain elsewhere in Northland.

How cool would it be to see Northland Kauri captain Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (centre) lead the haka for the Black Ferns in Northland for the Rugby World Cup next year? Photo / Photosport

PREMIUM

The Blacks Ferns need to come to Whangārei

9 Feb, 2020 12:00pm
5 minutes to read

Bribery and blackmail are both on the table if it gets the Black Ferns to Whangārei.

Northland swimmer Ciara Smith has made one of the hardest decisions in her life, move from the winterless north to the deep south on her path to Olympic Games glory. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Smith's 'heartbreaking' step towards Olympic glory

9 Feb, 2020 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Saying goodbye to her 'family' of 11 years certainly wasn't easy for swimmer Ciara Smith.

Northland's dynamic duo. Olivia Lobb (left) and Makayla Templeton are flying the region's flag in the Northern Spirit women's cricket team which played at Cobham Oval last weekend. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Templeton and Lobb leading Northland spirit

7 Feb, 2020 11:00am
5 minutes to read

Templeton, 17, finally got her debut while Lobb was left out due a sudden illness.

Northland-raised Black Ferns prop Leilani Perese (centre) is crossing her fingers she will be fit and ready come Septmeber 2021 to play in the world cup in Northland. Photo / Photosport

PREMIUM

Whangārei's Rugby World Cup dates confirmed

6 Feb, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Two of Northland's best rugby products could be with the Black Ferns to play in Whangarei.

Northern Districts batsman Brett Hampton, seen here blocking the ball in front of Auckland keeper Ben Horne, resurrected the home side's innings with 57 at Cobham Oval yesterday. Photo / John Stone

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Knights battle Aces in Northland heat

6 Feb, 2020 5:00am
Quick Read

The Northern Districts Knights played out their first game in Northland for 2020.

Northland para cyclist Emma Foy (left) and Hannah van Kampen took home two medals and a world title at the UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Canada on the weekend. Photo / Rob Jones

PREMIUM

Foy retains world track title

4 Feb, 2020 11:00am
2 minutes to read

The former Whangārei's Marsden Wheelers cycling club member is on fire on the track.

Northern Spirit's Eimear Richardson gets inventive in her shot over the top of the Wellington wicketkeeper Jessica McFadyen in their 50-over game at Cobham Oval on Saturday. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Spirit beat Blaze to make first-ever one-day final

3 Feb, 2020 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Wellington were no match for the Spirit on day one as the home side won by 121 runs.

Mark Millar winds up for a backhand in the top men's division final with his partner Peri Woods at Whangārei's Thomas Neale tennis centre on Saturday. Photo / John Stone

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Tennis players brave the heat

3 Feb, 2020 10:00am
2 minutes to read

With temperatures registering almost 30 degrees, it was like an oven on court.

Apart from a few shots, Onerahi batsman Todd Beehre was timing the ball well on Saturday with a score of 58 against Kaipara Flats at Kensington Park. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Onerahi recover to topple 50-over champions

3 Feb, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Three outright wins were registered in an entertaining first round of the two-day comp.

Not many sports days rival the Pawarenga united marae sports day on December 31, which features a raft of horse races on the beach. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Opinion: A tale of two Northlands

2 Feb, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

From bareback horse racing to superyacht regattas, Northland has it all.

The dolphins were popular spectators as they swam alongside Silvertip on the first day of racing at the Millennium Cup regatta on Thursday in the Bay of Islands. Photo / Jeff Brown

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Sailors rave about Russell's Millennium Cup

1 Feb, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The 12th regatta has tighter ties to Northland via links with charitable trust Live Ocean.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Coach profile: ex-NZ beach volleyballer Suzy McAsey

31 Jan, 2020 10:00am
5 minutes to read

Suzy McAsey is one of the reasons beach volleyball is growing fast in Northland.

Northland's Janet Agnew (left) and Raewyn Heywood are hoping to see the Thomas Neale tennis centre courts full for the Janet Agnew carnival doubles tennis tournament this weekend. Photo / John Stone

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Agnew hoping doubles event boosts local tennis

30 Jan, 2020 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Now in its the 34th year, the tournament could be the spark Northland tennis needs.

National senior men's and women's winners (from left) Shaunna Polley, Alani Nicklin, Tom Hartles and Julia Tilley after the nationals at Ruakākā beach over the weekend. Photo / Donald Allison-Carnie

SPORT

Is Ruakākā NZ's next beach volleyball hub?

28 Jan, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Ruakākā Beach was considered by the tournament organiser as the best he had seen.

Kaipara Flats batsmen Byron Jollivet (left) and Kyran Dill celebrate one of the many boundaries in their side's innings in the 50-over final at Cobham Oval yesterday. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Beaven's 111 outlines Kaipara's 50-over final win

27 Jan, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Kaipara's Jack Beaven, along with Rhys Jones, racked up 180 runs for the second wicket.

Ruakākā beach was packed around the main court on Saturday for the fourth leg of the G.J. Gardner Homes New Zealand Beach Volleyball Tour. Photo / Donald Allison-Carnie

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Ruakākā beach crammed for national volleyball event

27 Jan, 2020 5:00am
Quick Read

Under the harsh Northland sun, volleyball players from all over the globe played hard.

While women's rugby in Northland faced its struggles in 2019, hopefully the move to split the Kamo Hawks team into two will benefit this year's season. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Opinion: Will Kamo Hawks split work?

26 Jan, 2020 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Is it the right time for the Kamo Hawks to split or should they have waited another year?

Otamatea's Lian Tovine-Passmore (left) and Kamo's Susan Dawson are heading their separate ways in 2020's senior women's club rugby competition after the clubs joined in 2019. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Kamo Hawks set to split in 2020

25 Jan, 2020 11:00am
4 minutes to read

After a semifinal finish in 2019, the Kamo Hawks have disbanded to form two teams.

Mayhem, skippered by Harry Dodson and Tony Bosnyak, claimed a convincing win at the 18th annual CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week. Photo / Lissa Reyden - lissaphotography.co.nz

AUCKLANDER | Sport

Mayhem pulls off convincing win at BOI sailing week

25 Jan, 2020 5:00am
Quick Read

Local favourite Kia Kaha, which won last year's edition, couldn't replicate the effort.

Northland beach volleyball converts Demi Crabb (right) and Eve Jennings will be hoping to impress on home turf this weekend as part of the G.J. Gardner Homes New Zealand Beach Tour. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Young volleyballers to make mark on national tour

23 Jan, 2020 5:58pm
3 minutes to read

The pair from Whangārei Girls' High School will take on the country's best in Ruakākā.

Renowned Northland athletics coach Ian Babe is calling for more emphasis on upskilling coaching as New Zealand's youth sport shifts focus from specialisation to enjoyment. Photo / Tania Whyte

PREMIUM

Coaching stalwart weighs into youth sport debate

23 Jan, 2020 11:00am
4 minutes to read

Former Athletics NZ president Ian Babe has announced his views on changes to youth sport.

Whangārei Pony Club team member Lily Aubrey riding Mt Tulloch Skylark. Photo / Stella Martin

THE COUNTRY

Whangārei Pony Club win back to back NI titles

22 Jan, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

It was the Whangārei Pony Club's second North Island showjumping win in 18 years.

Northwave swimmer Tyler Jepsen, seen here swimming at last year's Dargaville Swim Club Carnival, was a stand-out at the weekend's age group swimming championships. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Jepsen shines at swimming age groups

21 Jan, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Fifteen-year-old Jepsen won 16 out of his 18 races in Dargaville over the weekend.

Malcolm Wyatt did well to win the men's champ singles at the Kamo Bowling Club (pictured) on January 12. Photo / File

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Kensington, Maungatapere, Dargaville bowls results

20 Jan, 2020 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

Northland's bowlers were busy over the Christmas period.

Adam Baker cuts back to connect with the pocket of a great wave at the 2020 Summer Sessions surf competition at Ocean Beach on Saturday. Photo / John Stone

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Surfers flock to biggest ever Summer Sessions

20 Jan, 2020 12:00pm
Quick Read

Dolphin pods made regular appearances as 80 surfers took to Ocean Beach.

Maungakaramea batsman Tom Lovegrove skirts around a City player as he goes for a run at Cobham Oval on Saturday. Photo / John Stone

PREMIUM

Maungakaramea clean up City before finals

20 Jan, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Maungakaramea's recent form is hard to argue with ahead of Sunday's 50-over final.

Nga Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe waka ama club team Horo's Koro win second in the master (70) men's six-person 500m final at the national sprint championships at Lake Karapiro. Photo / Waka Ama NZ

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More medals for Northland paddlers

20 Jan, 2020 5:00am
Quick Read

Kaitaia's Nga Hoe Horo Outrigger Canoe club was the pick of the bunch with 10 medals.

A 425.8kg black marlin caught by Jonny Reid on Lanakai off the Bay of Islands on January 6 certainly caused a stir when it was brought into Paihia. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Game fishing holds a place in NZ culture

19 Jan, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Catching a marlin doesn't come around very often and should be celebrated.

Northland footballer Shakeal Pickering, 12, will be showing his skills on the national stage today as part of the Māori under-14 football team playing in Papakura. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

Culture the priority for Pickering

18 Jan, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Culture and competition collide for Shakeal Pickering when he takes the field today.

Northland's Richard Pehi powers through the water to take gold at the 2020 Te Wananga o Aotearoa National Sprint Championships at Lake Karapiro. Photo / Waka Ama NZ

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Tai Tokerau stars at waka ama nationals

18 Jan, 2020 10:00am
Quick Read

With two days of racing left, who knows how many medals Northland could claim?

Waipū lifeguards Josh Baker (left) and Bailey Hudson get some air during their heat. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

IRBs and juniors in action at Ruakākā

13 Jan, 2020 10:00am
Quick Read

Good conditions led to a stunning day at the beach in Ruakākā.

City cricket player Joey Yovich (batter) was eventually removed by an outstanding catch from Northern's number 77 (in shot) Nick Hammond. Photo / Michael Cunningham

NORTHERN ADVOCATE | Sport

Banicevich dashes Northern hopes

13 Jan, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The City/Northern game featured two outstanding catches, some of the best you'll see.

Jenny Hill and Heather Nitschke from Intercept gather some of their creations to send to Australia in support of the animals involved in the bush fires. Photo / Tania Whyte

NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Australian bush fires: How Northlanders are helping

13 Jan, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Northlanders have been donating and organising fundraisers to help.

Black Caps bowler Todd Astle with his head in his hands is the sight we don't want to see when India come to our shores later this month. Photo / Photosport

PREMIUM

Mentality must come first for Black Caps

12 Jan, 2020 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Witnessing bullying is never easy, especially when it's on a cricket pitch.

For Kararaina Wira-Kohu, 2019 was a year of success and hardship but her eyes are firmly set on chasing her dreams of playing in the NRL. Photo / Michael Cunningham

PREMIUM

All Star putting whānau first

11 Jan, 2020 11:00am
5 minutes to read

With four kids to look after, Kararaina Wira-Kohu has achieved immensely in 2019.

The 425.8kg black marlin caught by Jonny Reid on Lanakai off the Bay of Islands on Monday is said to be the biggest caught of its kind in the area in 12-15 years. Photo / Amy Fowler - Origin Eight

NEW ZEALAND

Video: Monster marlin 'catch of the decade'

10 Jan, 2020 1:31pm
3 minutes to read

The last black marlin that size caught in the Bay of Islands area was over a decade ago.