Visitor boosts sharp end of foils

There are still some hopes of a former New Zealand Olympian competing in the fencing at the New Zealand Masters Games, but even if that doesn't eventuate, top Australian senior foil exponent, Jenny Bonney-Millett will add a decent amount of class to the event.

Fencing is a fledgling sport in Wanganui, but organiser Stephen Lundall is prepared to start small and work up, even if he's still a little bit disappointed in the numbers from New Zealand.

``This is the first year fencing is going to be held at the Wanganui Masters Games. There will be four events held: three for men's and women's foil, epee and sabre and the other will be a novice foil event. There are age restrictions for these events,'' said Lundall.

Numbers have been limited a little _ the reason is just a precaution, says Lundall, ``as the events will be held over two days, which is pushing it timewise for high numbers''.

``I have sent a bulk invitation to all clubs in New Zealand, however with less impact than we anticipated. We will hopefully have a past Olympic fencer competing, so the competition will be fierce.

``We have hired a facility that could hold more numbers if needed. This is a trial event for us, and we figured 20-30 competitors would be a good number to manage and gauge and build upon for future events.''

The presence of Bonney-Millett will help boost this. She's from The Gap, a suburb of Brisbane and her history looks a little daunting.

``I started fencing at Melbourne Uni in 1981 and am primarily a foilist. Fencing was something I had always wanted to do and I have just never stopped,'' she said. ``I have represented Australia at Senior World, Commonwealth and Asian Fencing Championships, and my major achievements include 12-times national veterans' women's foil champion; four-times Commonwealth veterans' women's foil champion; third at 2012 World Veterans' foil championships; two-times winner of Pan Pacific women's foil; 23rd at Senior Asian Fencing Championships, South Korea; Gold in the open women's foil at two Australian Fencing Circuit competitions; member of the Senior Australian Fencing Team for many years.

``It is great that fencing has been included in the New Zealand Masters Games, and it was a good opportunity to pay a visit. Have fencing bag, will travel.

``This is the first time I have entered a Masters Games, and I am really looking forward to coming to Wanganui,'' Bonney-Millett said.

Fencing is on February 9-10 at the former St George's School (now YMCA Community Centre) hall. There is a limit of 20 competitors per event and entries close a week before competition.

Entries could also improve for the trampolining, with just a few more than a handful at this stage.

But joint organiser Leo Rodrigues is not worried.

``I'm quite happy with the numbers of entries at this stage as it's the first time NZMG is offering the sport, and it's proving to be quite popular.

``In regards to low number of entries on the men's, it's what is expected, as the female (gymnastic) community is still much bigger than the men, but hopefully we can get more men attending in the future.''

Locals entered so far include Sarah Davey, Vivian Hughan, Elizabeth Smith and Kelly Taylor-Ward.

Palmerston North's Lindy Crawford explains the sport's New Zealand history.

``Trampolining has been operating in New Zealand since the 1960s and produced its first World Championship medallists in 1988 _ the women's double mini trampoline team took second place and the silver medal at the 15th champs in Alabama.

``New Zealand's first individual medallist was Kylie Walker who came second in double mini trampoline and then won the 1992, 1994 and 1998 world championships in the same event. New Zealand has never won an individual trampoline medal at World Championship level _ the sport being dominated by China, Canada, US, Japan and Australia.''

The New Zealand Trampoline Association or Trampoline New Zealand as it was known, merged with New Zealand Gymnastics in 2006 to become a full code of Gymsports New Zealand.

In its heyday in the 1990s New Zealand had more than 20 registered stand-alone trampoline clubs, and sent sizeable teams to the World Age Group Games and Open World Championships every two years. New Zealand has also been a strong competitor at the Indo-Pacific Trampoline Championships, started in 1991 as a biennial event in opposing years to the world champs, and hosted here in Rotorua in 2008 for the first time.

Kylie Walker hails from Palmerston North and was the first in a succession of Palmerston North trampolinists to compete internationally _ followed by Kylie McNaughton, Jamie Crawford and more recently Jordan Twigge (Feilding) and Robert Crawford in 2012.

Now a bit of the local interest in the sport of doghandling. There were 19 local entrants as at the weekend _ out of 52. We asked one of them, Barbara James, about her history _ and her dogs.

``My dog training days began 13 years ago when I took my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Tammy, to the Wanganui Dog Training Club to teach her to be a good pet. After attending classes I was encouraged to enter a ribbon trial and Tammy was first in two classes and I was hooked on to this sport as I had never won or competed in any sport before.

``After competing in obedience, agility and flygility with Tammy for a few years I decided that I needed a big dog and that was Jordy, a Labrador German Shepherd cross. He is a lovely natured dog and has given me years of pleasure.

``As with many dog handlers I have increased my dogs to include Shaylar, a border collie heading dog cross and Finn, a border collie german shepherd cross, who I also get immense pleasure out of training and competing with.

``My first love is in obedience, where I compete with three dogs, as Tammy has retired. We train three to four times a week, spending about 20 to 30 minutes with each dog. ``It is better not to overdo the training time as the dogs get bored and lose interest.

``Dog training has changed a lot over the years and more emphasis is put on the dogs enjoying themselves and having fun. I also love flygility and Jordy and Shaylar have both attained Flygility Dog Champion. I have competed in agility and rally-o but we are having a break from these at the moment.''

Nonetheless she's lined-up for a very busy time at the Masters.-->