Boost for Mount Maunganui: lifesaving events stay

Mount Maunganui has retained three of surf lifesaving's big events next summer, following a new-look bid process by clubs around New Zealand.
The Lion Foundation Surf League and the under-14 national championships will be held at Mount's Main Beach for at least the next three years, while the rebranded Eastern Regional championships - formerly the NRCs - will stay for next season before shifting to Whangamata.
Mount has also won back the national championships in 2013, after stepping in at late notice this year and hosting them after the Christchurch earthquake.
Gisborne will host next year's nationals, with Whakatane to take them in 2014.
Papamoa has also picked up an event, securing the Eastern round of the new BP Surf Rescue series in 2013.
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Mount Maunganui board paddler Andrew Newton has become the first Waikato University student based at the Tauranga campus to receive a prestigious Hillary Scholarship for his achievements in surf life saving.
The John Bryant-coached lifeguard was New Zealand's best-performed athlete at the International Surf Challenge in February and cleaned up in his specialist board race at the nationals.
Now in his first year at university where he is studying a Bachelor of Teaching, Newton has picked up the scholarship, awarded to academic high achievers who show significant leadership qualities and also excel in sport.
"It definitely takes the pressure off so I can focus on putting quality time into both my studies and sporting ambitions," Newton said. "As much as I would dream of competing forever it's important to think ahead, this primary teaching degree is the avenue to where I see myself in the future."
The scholarships provide full university course fees while studying at Waikato, comprehensive support for the recipients' academic, sporting and/or arts activities and additional support in leadership and personal development.
He's done it again.

Award-winning Bay of Plenty Times sports journalist Jamie Troughton has added another gong to his impressive collection ... this time for his work behind the shutter.
Troughton's thrilling photo of young Omanu lifeguard Kane Sefton, taken at February's Oceans 11 under-14 national surf life saving championships in Mount Maunganui, has wowed the judges at the inaugural New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards photo competition.
Troughton's photo of Sefton dwarfed by by monster surf beat off 150 entries to win the accolade.