College sports: 'Quality time under threat'

By JENNI RUTHERFORD

Secondary-school sport is dying due to the increasing demand on teachers' time, says Chris Saunders, chairman of the New Zealand secondary school sports council.

A ministerial taskforce into sport, recreation and leisure released last month pinpointed many shortcomings within the education system, laying some of the blame on teachers.

Saunders, principal of Onehunga High School, said physical education was stopping in the fifth form.

"Secondary schools are traditionally the focal point for grassroots sport and this is being threatened."

The review states: "The taskforce noted with real concern the continual erosion of teachers' involvement in organised sport and other extra-curricular activities."

Saunders said the changing nature of teachers and curriculum demands on their time were responsible for the lack of quality sport.

"Teachers are older now - their average age is 48 - and they are not so inclined to coach sport."

Saunders said that though the number of students participating was not declining, the quality of school sport was under threat.

"There is not as much quality time teachers have to give.

"Many are taking an easier option and volunteering to manage a team rather than to coach them.

"The new national assessment has impacted on the teaching job. I'm not making excuses - that is just the way it is," he said.

However, the taskforce did recognise that teaching was an "overloaded profession," resulting in sport not being a high priority.

The Minister of Sport, Fitness and Leisure, Trevor Mallard, will meet Auckland principals next week, to hear their thoughts on the report.

CRICKET

Northcote College and Onehunga High School are through to the second round of the Gillette Cup following decisive wins.

Onehunga clocked up 354-8 and bowled out Onewhero Area School for just 56, to win by a whopping 298 runs.

Northcote's victory, over Otamatea High School, was just as convincing.

Batting first, Otamatea were bowled out for a meagre 71.

Chris Quedley took a hat-trick as he ripped through the Otamatea lineup, claiming four wickets for just six runs.

Northcote lost no wickets in recording the win with just seven overs needed to pass the target.

Quedley again featured prominently, top-scoring with an unbeaten 38.

SURF LIFESAVING

The summer holidays are over, but some college students were able to relive the sun and surf at Mission Bay beach last week as the secondary school surf lifesaving competition began.

Epsom Girls' Grammar and Auckland Grammar took first place, beating nine other secondary schools from around the region.

World champion ironman Cory Hutchings was on hand to offer advice.

Rounds two to six will be held in the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Gisborne and Otago.

THIS WEEK


* Friday: Auckland: junior waterpolo, boys premier grade volleyball.

* Saturday: Auckland: Head of harbour rowing regatta, Lake Pupuke.

* North Harbour: Grade cricket.

* Monday: Auckland girls premier grade volleyball.

* Tuesday: Auckland: senior touch rugby.