Super Sixes organiser Malcolm Dixon with event manager Sarah Kay at the Hawke's Bay regional sports park in Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor.
Super Sixes organiser Malcolm Dixon with event manager Sarah Kay at the Hawke's Bay regional sports park in Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor.
Year 6 pupils from a dozen North Island schools are descending on Hawke's Bay this week to take part in a two-day sports competition at the regional sports park.
The annual Super Sixes event starts today and with more than 1000 children taking part this year, event organiser and founderMalcolm Dixon said the event was on track to achieving the intention of growing into a major event on the schools sporting calendar.
"This is the third year we have done this and the numbers are increasing every year. I think we have 12 schools from outside of Hawke's Bay, which is stunning.
"This year they will be competing in netball, hockey, tag rugby, football, basketball, T ball, Ki-o-rahi and cycle-cross. It is fabulous that local schools now have the opportunity to compete against schools from Gisborne, Wairoa, Palmerston North, Feilding, Whanganui, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington."
The event is aimed at Year 6 pupils and is based on the concept of the AIMs Games for intermediate-aged pupils.
"We've had great support from the local high schools because they are the referees and umpires for us. Both Napier City Council and Hastings District Council have provided funding and we have support from gaming trusts."
Dixon said the costs worked out at just $10 per child for those schools taking part.
"They all get a Super Sixes cap and the winners of events all get medals in a medal ceremony. It's also an opportunity for them to try different sports they haven't tried before.
"It's about trying new things, getting involved, participating and being competitive."
The event starts today with an opening ceremony at 9.15am at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, in Hastings, before the netball, tag rugby and football events take place.
Day two would involve basketball, ki-o-rahi, cycle-cross, hockey and relay events, before the event's closing ceremony.
