Waipu's Isobel Weir reaches for a tag as Darnika Williams of One Tree Point heads for the tryline. Photo/Julie Paton
Waipu's Isobel Weir reaches for a tag as Darnika Williams of One Tree Point heads for the tryline. Photo/Julie Paton
Primary school winter sports Senior students from Bream Bay's three primary schools gathered at One Tree Point Primary School on Tuesday to try a range of different sports for their annual Winter Sports Day.
Ruakaka, One Tree Point and Waipu teams played rippa rugby, football, miniball, netball and hockey.
Benjamin Porter of Waipu lines up the ball as One Tree Point's Alex Witheford (left) and Mack Dackers prepare to defend. Photo/Julie Paton
One TreePoint teacher and organiser of the day, Keryn West, said the day is based on the "Have A Go" principle.
"We don't have a top school at the end of the day," she said. "The kids try sports that they don't normally play – if they play hockey, they can have a go at football. They might think 'oh, I quite like this' and decide to take it up as a sport."
The focus is on fun and participation, West said. One Tree Point teams were coached once a week by Bream Bay College students as part of a Gateway coaching programme leading up to the day, and these students refereed games on the day.
1920s netball club fundraiser Waipu revisited the Jazz Age last Saturday night with Waipu Senior Netball Club's Great Gatsby-themed casino night at the Celtic Barn.
Dressed up 1920s-style for Waipu Senior Netball Club's casino night were Sunny Jones (left) and Anita Carr. Photo/supplied
"The night was amazing," said organiser Sunny Jones. "It was so good to see the effort everyone went to with dressing up and supporting us. It was amazing to see, and it was definitely an event that Waipu needed, something different to brush away the winter blues."
The club has two teams playing in the Rodney netball competition, one in A/Premier grade, the other in B/C grade.
"This is the first year most of us have played together so we are still learning to gel," said Jones. "But in saying that, the girls are starting to work really well together."
Funds raised from the night will go towards training space hire and team tracksuits.
Raising the roof in Waipu With a $30,000 new roof to pay for, organisers are hoping people will come out in force to support Waipu Coronation Hall's Big Band Dance fundraiser on June 30.
Organiser Louise Wickham said that as a small group the hall committee doesn't have the manpower to organise a lot of fundraisers, so they're hoping the night is well supported.
The group has some funds from hall hire and will also apply for grants towards replacing the hall's roof.
"I'm not sure how old it [the roof] is, but it is breaking down with rust," said Wickham. "There's the odd leak and we are told it's at the end of its life."
People can either dance or sit and enjoy the music from the 18-piece Basin City Big Band, featuring vocalists Chris Townshend, Allison Rangi and Tanya Maich.
Doors open at 7.30pm, the bar will be open, and the $25 tickets include a light supper. Tickets available from Waipu Real Estate or call Louise on 0274345353.
Ruakaka Ninjas mud run champs Ruakaka's Ninja Fitness team put their stamina to the test on Sunday at the Marohemo Mud Run in Maungaturoto and came out covered in mud but on top of the competition.
Ruakaka's Ninja Fitness team after their race (back, from left): Elly Rodriques, Sam Givney, David Longdill, Erik Taillon, Des Peake, Conor Swords (front, from left): Kieran Swords, Mike Swords. Photo/Rebecca Swords
The eight-member team slogged across 6km of farmland, negotiating a mudslide and tyre wall and crossing creeks to come in ahead of five other teams.
This is the second year the mud run, a fundraiser for Otamatea Netball team, has been held. The Ninja Fitness boot camp is run by Elly Rodriques – members train three times a week at the Bream Bay College gym. Rodriques also runs morning fitness classes at the gym and Ruakaka Recreation Centre.
Waipu golf tournaments Entries close soon for Waipu Golf Club's Ladies 18-hole Open Tournament. A multi-tee start kicks off the tournament at 9am on June 28, pre-paid entries close this Sunday.
Entry is $25, with morning tea from 8.15am and lunch available. Entries to waipu@golf.co.nz or phone 4320259. This Saturday is the club's Mid Winter Christmas Cheer tournament and dinner, starting at 11.30am.
■ Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with Northern Advocate readers.
