Rotorua pupils win overall spots at squash competition

Year 8 Rotorua Intermediate pupils Jacob Corney (left) and Trisden Williams. Photo/Supplied

Two Rotorua pupils have taken the overall top places at the Bay of Plenty Year 7 and 8 School Squash Championships.

The championships were held recently at the Geyser City Squash Club in Mangakakahi, organised by Sport Bay of Plenty, Squash Bay of Plenty and clubs.

John Paul College Year 7 pupil Kiara Dudson took home the overall girls' placing, with Year 8 pupil Trisden Williams, from Rotorua Intermediate, winning the boys' competition. Jacob Corney from Rotorua Intermediate was third in the boys' section.

Kiara said she had been playing squash since she was 5, with her family training together.

She said it wasn't her first big win, having won the Bay of Plenty primary school equivalent for the past two years.

She said her favourite part of playing squash was playing with family and going on trips.

Peter Sinclair, deputy principal and the teacher in charge of squash at John Paul College, said the team had a wonderful time.

"They're good kids and well-behaved. I thought the kids did reasonably well overall, congratulations to Kiara for her win."

Six pupils from John Paul College took part - Kiara alongside Toby Roche, Jamie Sakrzewski, Gisele Howard, Taylah Hyde, Samantha Trott, with three from Rotorua Intermediate.

Mr Sinclair said the group were excellent ambassadors for the college on and off the court. He said teams from Taupo and Katikati had also competed.

"The Bay of Plenty championship was good preparation for the kids for the AIMS Games in Tauranga in September."

Nicole Taute, from Rotorua Intermediate, was the teacher in charge of the tournament and the coach for Rotorua Intermediate was Wayne Johnson who is part of Geyser City Squash Club.

She said the boys would be going to the AIMS Games also.

Additional reporting by Gordon Preece