Rural talent comes to town

LOCAL LINE-UP: The Taihape Area School pupils who will compete at the Area Schools tournament. PHOTO/SUPPLIED TAS_PHOTO_-_2015_SELECTED_K

Taihape Area School are playing host to 350 of their country cousins this week at Springvale Stadium and the park for the 2015 edition of the annual New Zealand Area Schools tournament.

TAS are being assisted by Sport Whanganui and brought the tournament into the town because they needed the infrastructure for the seven codes that will be played over four days.

Rugby, netball, basketball, football, volleyball, Ki o Rahi and golf will all be contested by teams selected from area schools around the country.

Sport Whanganui regional sports director Clare Lynch said the representative squads are split into four regions " Northland, Central North Island, Top of the South and Bottom of the South.

Starting today, games will be played in round robins, with North Island and South Island teams chosen from the competitors on Thursday.

"Selectors are also in place to name New Zealand squads in the selected codes," said Lynch.

"The event will showcase the grassroots talent that rural and isolated schools have to offer and will be well worth a visit."

It is the sixth year that TAS pupils have been part of the New Zealand championships with 17 of them selected for the Central squad while two others have been invited to join the Bottom of the South rugby side.

The selections are a point of pride for Loni Martin and her Taihape organising team, who have worked hard to put the event together.

"We are very excited about all the Area Schools coming and seeing what Wanganui has to offer," said Martin.

"The students really enjoy creating friendship through the sporting and cultural activities they can engage in."

Visit the Sport Whanganui website for more information and the tournament draw.

TAS pupils selected for Central North Island:

Jessica Elwin, Georgia Adams, Hayley Maher, Maia Broughton Edwards (netball); Brooklyn Walker (netball/girls rugby 7s); Rachael Conlon, Deonie McClay, Reese McClay, Samantha McGhie (girls football); Liam Felllingham, Shelby Inwood (boys football/volleyball); Christopher Bristol, Johnston Wallace (golf); Jerome Maclean, Aaron Chapman, Eliuda Vitata, Anthony Hanson (rugby).

TAS pupils invited for Bottom of South Island:

Cully Noble, Joseph Cowley (rugby).