Bream Bay College rugby league players celebrate as the final whistle blows during their game against Whangarei Boys' High School in the Adam Blair Trophy grand final match. PHOTO/ALAN BEE - BEESCENE
Bream Bay College rugby league players celebrate as the final whistle blows during their game against Whangarei Boys' High School in the Adam Blair Trophy grand final match. PHOTO/ALAN BEE - BEESCENE
League players reach goal Three years ago coach Murray Smart set his young Bream Bay College rugby league team a goal – to win the Adam Blair Trophy Northland secondary schools' tournament in 2018.
Last week the proud coach watched from the sideline as the same core group of players achieved just that, beating Whangarei Boys' High School 18-16 in the final at Boys' High to claim the 2018 trophy.
This year's final was a hard-fought match. Bream Bay were ahead 6-4 at half-time but fell back to 16-12 behind with five minutes to go.
"I was really impressed with the determination they showed," said Mr Smart.
"I said to the boys at half-time that this would be the memory of a lifetime, if they could achieve the win."
Bream Bay's Terry-jack Smart with Davarn Bodman in support, tackles a Boys High player on the try line. PHOTO/ALAN BEE - BEESCENE
He said the final touchdown was a real team effort, coming right from the back of Bream Bay's half and working the ball down the field.
The team have come a long way since their first season in the competition when "we aimed to not be last, and to win at least one game", he said. Mr Smart coaches the team with help from Takahiwai's Shane Hool and manager Junie Shelford.
In their second year of the competition, Bream Bay achieved their next goal, making the semifinals.
This year's tournament win qualifies the team to compete at the national secondary schools' tournament later in the year, but Mr Smart is reluctant to take the small group of 17 players, including several youngsters, to a tournament where they would play five games in five days against teams of seniors from much bigger schools.
"You'd be down to 13 players after the first game."
He hopes Bream Bay can hold the trophy as the rugby league talent pool in the area grows.
"Takahiwai [Rugby League Club's] youth sides are full, the Warriors are going well, and this team is going well. It gives a certain mana to the side."
Waipu on stage for Snoopy There's a lot of Waipu talent involved in Whangarei Theatre Company's latest production, Snoopy the Musical.
Snoopy the Musical Waipu cast members. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Of the seven children who make up the cast, three are from Waipu and their vocal coach is Waipu singing teacher Emma Couper.
The show is based upon the Peanuts comic strips by Charles Schultz, and unlike most shows, this has no story line but is instead a series of his comic strips.
These relate to the sorts of things that the Peanuts characters discover about life.
Tickets are on sale now from the website www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz or Storytime in Reyburn House Lane (by the children's playground at the Town Basin). The show runs until April 21.
Art'n'Tartan entry deadline The deadline for entries in this year's Waipu Museum Art'n'Tartan Contest and Show is rapidly approaching.
Although artworks don't need to be finished until preliminary judging day on June 17, entry forms must be in by April 27.
Entry fee is $25 for adults, $15 for students in Years 9-13 and $10 for Year 1-8 children's mask entries.
Details of categories and special awards are on the entry form. The show is on July 20 and 21 in the Waipu Celtic Barn.
Former artistic director Helen Frances is this year's production manager. Her director's role has been taken over by Annie Newall and Jayden Rudolph who will share the responsibility.
Ms Newall and Mr Rudolph have been involved with Art'n'Tartan for many years and promise a fresh look for the event.
Tickets go on sale in May and will be available from Eventfinda or direct from Waipu Museum. Entry forms can be downloaded from the museum website.
