College sport: King's make strong start in cricket

Cricket

Auckland First XI 1A cricket got underway on Saturday with the start of the two-day, six-school championship and plate rounds.

After the first day, home side King's College were in a good position against Avondale College, scoring 186-6 declared, with Dean Cummins hitting 51 and Wyatt McKay 30.

Avondale were 26-4 at stumps.

Other matches this weekend in the championship group are Kelston hosting Westlake and Mt Albert at home against St Kentigern.

Rowing

One of the biggest sponsorships of secondary sport in New Zealand has been announced for one of the largest events.

Insurance broker Aon has signed a two-year, $225,000 deal with Rowing New Zealand and looks set to give the national schools championships, more commonly known as the Maadi Cup, huge exposure.

This year's regatta is at Lake Karapiro from April 4-9.

"The key to this sponsorship is that it is not targeted at the elite level. It's at development of the sport," said Rowing New Zealand boss Craig Ross.

"It's not the biggest sponsorship for rowing overall but for schools rowing it is the biggest.

"There has been an increase in the number of secondary schools rowing based on the success of the New Zealand Olympic campaign," Ross said.

Garry Carr-Smith, executive of the Secondary Schools Rowing Association, was delighted with the sponsorship but said the association would still receive the same fee.

Secondary schools rowing had some major decisions to make in the next few years because of the large numbers participating, he said.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest early-season regattas is being held at Lake Pupuke in Auckland on Saturday.

The 69th Head of the Harbour involves about 950 rowers from 35 schools over 72 events.

The first race hits the water at 8am, with the finals of the premier event, the U19 eights, about 4pm.

St Kentigern will be looking to defend their boys fours and eights titles.

Their strong rowing programme will be up against the likes of Auckland Grammar, King's College, Takapuna Grammar, the hosts of this year's event, and Westlake Boys.

The defending champs in the girls eight are Diocesan School, with King's College holding the fours title.

A large number of schools from throughout the upper North Island will compete.

These include St Paul's Collegiate from Hamilton, Hamilton Boys' High, Cambridge High, Waikato Diocesan, Fraser High, Hamilton Girls' High, Tauranga Girls', Hauraki Plains College, Whangarei Boys' and Whakatane High.

School sport policy

Two motions have been put forward to be considered for next month's Secondary Schools Sports Council, one which will cost most schools sightly less.

It is proposed that the levy on students be 32c each, which with about 250,000 students, brings in between $80,000 and $90,000 for the council.

The money is used for administration costs, an annual conference and school sports directly.

Council executive director Peter Sharp said the 32c levy would mean either no change or a reduced cost for most schools.

He also said the annual census of schools sport showed the perception that teenagers were not taking part was untrue.

Statistics showed that the number of students participating in sport had remained steady over the past 12 months.

This week

Saturday: Rowing - Head of the Harbour, Lake Pupuke from 8am.

Auckland 1A cricket championship & plate - plate games (home team listed first) - Takapuna Grammar v Sacred Heart, Rangitoto v Auckland Grammar, Rosmini v Mcleans.

North Harbour First XI cricket.

Wednesday: Auckland girls cricket First XI & B Grade begin, at various venues.

Tuesday: Orienteering Park Event Series 3, Western Springs, 5.30-6.45pm.