One of Northland's longest-running - and most unusual - sporting contests is wide open after the long-time champions were forced to pull out.

Maori cricketers in Northland could be set for a boost as the Northern Districts' Northern Maori invitational squad breaks new ground for Maori cricket this month.

Northland's Cameron Leslie is joining the Wheel Blacks team as they take on the world's top two ranked wheelchair rugby teams, Australia and USA.

There was only a neck separating three top 3-year-olds at the Te Teko trials on August 27.

Whangarei's Melita Raravula highlighted Swimming Northland's annual awards ceremony as she claimed back-to-back Northland Swimmer of the Year titles.

One Northland sport which probably is not seen enough in the newspaper is touch. Lee Turner is a local lad who, at 14, has an endless amount of potential.

Whangarei's Thomas Nobes says you can't be worrying about how your day has gone in his sport if you want to make it to the Commonwealth Games next year.

The Wanderers Kaikohe Netball Club celebrates its 50th anniversary this Saturday with proceedings getting under way with a mixed tournament on the Lindvart Courts from 9.30am.

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