Success shared at schools tourney

TROPHY TIME: The Abundant Life School team, winners of the Year 5/6 division of the Kiwi Netball Field Days tournament at the end of May.

Local primary schools took an even share of the spoils as various titles went up for grabs at the Kiwi Netball Field Days tournament last month.

Abundant Life School prevailed in the Year 5/6 grade final over Ahipara 13-4; and Pompallier Catholic School took out the Year 7/8 title over Taipa Area School 12-8.

The annual Riders Sports Depot tournament, organised by Sport Northland and the Far North Primary Schools Principals Association, again took place at the Mangonui Netball Centre courts on South Road over two days; with the Year 5/6 and 7/8 matches played on Thursday, May 21, while the Year 1/2 and 3/4 competitions were completed the following Thursday, May 28.

Event spokeswoman Lesley Wallace, from Sport Northland, noted there was less emphasis placed on results in the youngest age grades - namely Year 1/2 and Year 3/4 - as these were aligned to the Netball New Zealand junior programme which utilised modified rules, smaller courts, and fewer players as well as keeping a strong focus on having fun.

The Year 3/4 grade was still competitive, with Rangiawhia Kura Kaupapa taking out the title over Mangonui 5-2; while the Year 1/2 activity was purely a participation event, with all schools enjoying seeing their students learning new skills while having fun with their friends.

"These netball events are very popular in the primary school calendar and even the late withdrawal of Panguru School could not dampen the spirit of these age groups," said Wallace, adding all teams played five 20-minute games throughout the day, thus 100 minutes' game time in total for each team, with both boys and girls participating.

"The events ran smoothly and I was particularly impressed at the skill on display, especially from the boys."

Others earning praise were the volunteer umpires provided by Kaitaia College and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro, a group of young ladies who "all performed exceptionally well" with the more experienced Pukemiro umpires taking control of all of the semis and final matches. Also thanked were the Mangonui Netball Centre, and canteen operator Shona Armstrong and assistant Creole Wallace.

Next on the Far North primary schools sports calendar is the Mini Football tourney at Taipa on Friday, June 19.