In completing their first season as swimming coaches for the Kaitaia Amateur Swimming Club, two local teenagers have been cited as a shining example of youth leadership in Te Hiku.
Very impressed with the accomplishment, KASC president Loryn Davis noted Te Auparo Piripi, 15, and Aleesha Rogers, 17, were volunteers as, indeed, all the club's coaches were. She went on to express her admiration of the pair for taking up the challenge, noting both girls had also completed the Austswim coaching course during the season.
"We encourage any young ones to come forward and pay the course fees if they wish to complete their training with our club," Davis said, adding that Piripi, a student at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro, had remarked that she had enjoyed her first season coaching and learned a lot, and was thankful to all her predecessors for providing her with the skills required to achieve her new level.
Both girls were presented with the trophies at the Far North swimming club's end-of-season prizegiving last month while Piripi also won a medal. Also notable at the ceremony was Aleesha Rogers, another Kaitaia College student, who received a trophy which had previously been awarded to her father.
The accompanying image from the KASC prizegiving on March 26 shows, from left, Gemma Murray (awarded the President's Cup for most local points), Aleesha Rogers (Knowler Trophy, sportsmanship), Karen Lucich (Mitchell Trophy, club spirit), Kawana Marsden (KASC Dedication, boy), Te Auparo Piripi (KASC Dedication, girl), and Jarrod Harrison (Mike Helmich Memorial Cup for most dedicated Swimsafe swimmer, male).
