SCHOOL SPORT - Students run schools' sports day

Kensington Park was buzzing as 1200 youths from schools across Whangarei district gathered for the annual Whangarei Primary Schools Sports Association Winter Sports Day.
NorthTec's diploma of sport and recreation level six students were set the task of running the huge sporting event, which featured games of netball, rugby, rugby league, basketball, football, table tennis, ripper rugby and hockey for children to take part in.
NorthTec students also organised a summer sports day, staged in April. They are also in charge of running the WPSSA cross-country on September 4 and the Northland primary schools cross country on September 23.
Their tutor Bobby Newport said running the events was a great practical experience for the students.
"I was really proud of my students, they did a great job," he said.
"All the sport and rec courses are really hands-on. Through these events they interact with schools, sporting agencies and everyone else involved. These are things they will be required to do once they have obtained their qualification and are out there working in the real world," he said.