Tararua primary schools sevens tournament at Pahīatua a great success

Junior netball Te Kura (first) versus Combined. Photo / Dave Murdoch

A postponement of the Tararua Seven-a-Side Multi-Sport tournament earlier this month proved to be a stroke of luck, with the new date just two days later serving up a day of winter sunshine.

Junior Hockey, Combined (first) versus St Anthony's (second). Photo / Dave Murdoch

Senior Hockey, Pahīatua (second) versus Eketāhuna (third) in the grade. Photo / Dave Murdoch

Senior Netball, Huia Range (second) versus St Joseph's. Photo / Dave Murdoch

It is the 12th year for the tournament, which involved more than 650 students from 17 primary schools, with the smaller country schools amalgamated to form a country combined team - which did its fair share of winning despite not having played much together.

Dannevirke South and Pahīatua rugby players receive gift banners from the Manawatū Turbos. Photo / Dave Murdoch

Junior Rugby, Ruahine (third) versus Pahīatua (second). Photo / Dave Murdoch

Senior Rugby action in the final Ruahine (first) and Pahīatua (second). Photo / Dave Murdoch

In total, 72 teams played 240 games over four and a half hours, helped by more than 50 volunteer officials, mostly Tararua College and Dannevirke High School students - who did a terrific job.

The two senior rugby finalist teams after the match. Photo / Dave Murdoch

Junior Football, Kumeroa (third) versus Dannevirke South. Photo / Dave Murdoch

Senior Football, St Anthony's (first) versus Woodville. Photo / Dave Murdoch

The format makes the day flow well - seven players per team, seven-minute halves, each sport - netball, rugby, football and hockey - pretty much in sync.

While the event was organised and run by Sport Manawatū under guidance from its healthy active learning lead Murray Te Huki, there was assistance from sporting parent bodies Manawatū Rugby, Central Football, Netball Manawatū, with help from the Bush clubs in setting up the venues and supplying gear.

Results success was evenly spread throughout the district’s schools.

Senior Rugby

1: Ruahine

2: Pahīatua

3: St Joseph’s

Junior Rugby

1: St Joseph’s

2: Pahīatua

3: Ruahine

Senior Netball

1: Dannevirke South

2: Huia Range

3: Pahīatua

Junior Netball

1: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Tamaki Nui A Rua

2: Huia Range

3: Dannevirke South

Senior Hockey

1: St Anthony’s

2: Pahīatua

3: Eketāhuna

Junior Hockey

1: Combined Schools (Mangatainoka, Ballance, Pongaroa, Makuri, Alfredton)

2: St Anthony’s

3: Pahīatua

Senior Football

1: St Anthony’s

2: Huia Range

3: Pahīatua

Junior Football

1: Woodville

2: Pahīatua

3: Kumeroa

Dave Murdoch is a part-time photo-journalist working for the Bush Telegraph and based at Dannevirke. He has covered any community story telling good news about the district for the last 10 years.