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Rugby League News - New Zealand Universities take on New Zealand Maori
After a two year drought without any fixtures since competing at the 2008 Student World Cup, the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League side will be back in action this Saturday against New Zealand Maori at Paterson Park, Ngaruawahia (Taurangawaewae marae) near Hamilton.
The match will be a special fixture for both sides as it centres around the Koroneihana for the Maori King’s Coronation celebrations and will bring together a rare playing of two of the New Zealand Rugby League’s affiliate bodies against each other.
The NZUTRLC side will carry three surviving players that participated at the 2008 Student World Cup: Isaac Beach, Kererua Savage and Rema Smith, who are all University of Otago students.
The side also features Luke Laban, a Warriors age grade player and son of the former 1986 New Zealand Universities player Ken Laban. It is the third father and son combination to play for the side following Trevor and Hone Patrick and Cameron and Daniel McGregor.
Trevor Clark of Wellington returns to coach the side after a ten year absence, having previously taking the side to victory at the 1999 Student World Cup along with a series win over the touring 2000 Great Britain students side.
A senior tutor in sports and exercise science at Massey-Wellington University along with being a PhD student, Clark said he is looking forward to taking up the challenge.
“As it is an unknown team and is being played during a big occasion I will be looking to install pride and enthusiasm on the players and as many of them are Maori, it will also be a chance for them to be seriously looked at for selection for the New Zealand Maori fixture against England in mid October.”
The squad is (with three to be omitted from the final playing squad) with their respective study institutes are: Mohi Aupouri (Wellington Institute of Technology – Weltec), Isaac Beach (Otago University), Danny Connell (Otago University), Hiwaroa Grant (Waikato University),
Bernard Gregorius (Massey-Wellington University), Raynard Haggie (Waikato Institute of Technology), Troy Handley (Auckland University), Aidan Howard (Auckland University of Technology), Denzil Hokianga (Weltec), Michael Ioapo (Whitireria Community Polytechnic), Eru Kepa (Waikato University), Luke Laban (Auckland University), Sean McDowell (Weltec), Rawiri Maniapoto (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology), Simon Nash (Massey-Wellington), Pat Numanga (Weltec), Peter Rata (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa), Kererua Savage (Otago University), Rema Smith (Otago University), Viliame Taukiuvea (Massey-Albany University), Anthony Utanga (Weltec).
Officials: Trevor Clark (Coach), Carey Clements (Manager), Shane Foster (Assistant Manager), Doug King (Trainer-Medic).
The game will kick off at 2.30pm.
For further information please contact the manager Carey Clements on 021 073 4133 or email of cnathanclements@hotmail.com
Ends
New Zealand Win Bronze at World University Rowing Championships
University of Canterbury students Andrew O’Connor and Armin Svoboda have overcome challenging conditions to win bronze in the men’s lightweight double scull at the World Universities Rowing Championships in Szeged, Hungary.
O’Connor a chemical engineering student and Svoboda who is studying business management were drawn in lane six. This meant they not only had to contend with a field which included Olympic and World Championship representatives but a tough lane draw.
The kiwi crew got out to a good start but they were all square with the Italians, Germans and Polish with just 500m to go. As the strong head and side winds in the outside lane started to take toll, the duo slipped back to fourth and the opportunity for New Zealand’s first medal at the event looked all but gone.
However, O’Connor, a veteran of the university rowing circuit and his younger crew mate Svoboda dug deep to make a final push for the line. In the end they finished just half a second behind the German team of Overmann and Schutzeberg and were deserved winners of New Zealand’s only medal of the Championships.
In other results University of Otago student Elyse Fraser, won the women’s single B final and University of Canterbury men’s double of Richard Harrison and Matthew Glenn finished second in their B final ranking them 8th overall.
Aside from the medal winning crew the talk of the team was Fergus Fauvel’s performance in the men’s single scull.
Fauvel who is only in his third year of rowing put in a massive effort during his semifinal finishing under 7 minutes and confirming his place in the A final. He then went on to finish a respectable 5th overall despite having to contend with a strong headwind.
It is well known within university sport circles that these types of events have helped unearthed some of New Zealand’s best rowing talent. This includes the likes of Mayhe Drysdale whose first competitive rowing event was as a novice at the 1997 New Zealand University Games event in Dunedin.
At the New Zealand Universities Blues awards earlier this year rowing dominated the major awards. World champion rower Hamish Bond was named the 2009 New Zealand University Sportsperson of the Year and Storm Uru took out the Maori Sportsperson of the Year category.
It is anticipated that Fauvel will build on his experience at this event and challenge for selection into senior New Zealand teams alongside the likes of Drysdale, Bond and Uru.
The World University Rowing Championships is the last event on University Sport New Zealand’s international calendar for 2010, and the bronze medal by O’Connor and Svoboda caps off what has been a very successful year.
Out of the five sport delegations selected to represent at different World University Championships three have brought home medals. This is confirmation that the new selection standards are helping to facilitate better performances and competitive results.
It is hoped this trend continues into the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen. USNZ aim to send a delegation capable of eclipsing the four medal haul won at the same event in 2009.
The 11th World University Rowing Championships are being held in Szeged, Hungry, for a full programme and events schedule visit http://www.wucrowing2010.hu/
For more information on World University Championships and International University Sports events visit www.fisu.net
The 2011 World University Summer Games will be held in Shenzhen, China from 12 - 23 August, for more information visit http://www.sz2011.org/eng/index.htm.
To stay up to date with the latest news from USNZ visit www.universitysport.org.nz
ENDS
Louise Burns
Executive Director – University Sport NZ
louise.burns@universitysport.org.nz
021 917 370
New Zealand Delegation
Elyse Fraser University of Otago Women’s Single Scull
Fergus Fauvel University of Otago Men’s Single Scull
Richard Harrison University of Canterbury Men’s Double Scull
Matthew Glenn University of Canterbury Men’s Double Scull
Armin Svobada University of Canterbury Men’s Lightweight Double Scull
Andrew O’Connor University of Canterbury Men’s Lightweight Double Scull
Richard Parr Coach
Michael Gilbert Coach
Glen Sinclair Team Manager
Media Release World University Rowing Championship Bronze
USNZ Email and Server Outage
University Sport New Zealand (USNZ) wish to advise that the organisations email system and server will be out of service from 1pm Thursday 26 August through Monday 30 August inclusive.
USNZ apologies for any inconvenience caused however we hope that this work will rectify the recent email issues we have been experiencing.
During this time please redirect any email inquiries to the following accounts:
Louise Burns
Executive Director and Administrators account
universitysportnewzealand@gmail.com
Dene Lynch
National Events Manager
usnz.events@gmail.com
Ian Murphy
President
ian.murphy@wrfu.co.nz
Latest News
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Press Release
(For immediate release)
September 2, 2010
`Sweet’ grabs in half pipe
Fresh snow contributed to a “creative” half pipe competition at the 2010 Uni Snow Games at Snow Park, near Wanaka, today (Thursday).
Event manager Cam Craighead said persistent snowfall all morning slowed down the transitions.
“It definitely forced competitors to get creative with their riding when there wasn’t enough speed to huck spins. Luckily the pipe got faster as the day wore on and people started pulling more spins and some sweet grabs,” he said.
Head judge Tori Beattie said height proved the deciding factor in most categories.
“The key to winning half pipe is how big you go – the thing to really wow the judges is height and that takes skill,” she said.
Otago’s Tom Grooten notched up his second gold medal in as many days, taking out the men’s snowboard title ahead of a competitive field which included CPIT’s Ben Comber.
The leading Kiwi performer at the Junior Worlds staged earlier in the week, earning 5th in slopestyle and 7th in Big Air, Comber added a Uni Snow Games bronze to his achievements – just .5 points behind Grootin and .2 points shy of Otago’s Marc Riedi, who snatched silver.
“Uni Games is something I’ve always wanted to do – it’s a good opportunity to have a wind down and meet some people,” he said.
Comber is a firm favourite to take out the slopestyle title, which has been postponed until tomorrow (Friday).
“There are a couple of old rivals here so that will be fun competing against them,” he said.
In the women’s snowboard event, Auckland’s Nicola Peters secured top honours, followed by Georgina Allen and Chelsea Martinez, both of Canterbury.
Undaunted despite competing in half pipe for the first time, Massey Albany’s Emilie Tait-Jamieson claimed gold in the women’s ski, with Georgia McNamara, of Canterbury, and Emma Thompson, of Otago, second and third respectively.
“An aggressive approach to the pipe with speed and some grabs won it for her,” Beattie said.
Otago’s Hamish McDougall won the men’s division, followed by team-mate Matt Johnson and Canterbury’s Ovila Juneau.
“We definitely saw some height out of the pipe and a 540 at the bottom,” Beattie said.
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Press Release
(For immediate release)
September 2, 2010
World stage beckons uni athletes
Athletes competing at the NZ Uni Snow Games in Wanaka this week could propel themselves onto the world stage.
Jon Turnbull, Chef de Mission for the 2011 World University Winter Games in Erzurum, Turkey, said the national event was a valuable opportunity for athletes to stake their claim for selection.
“This is a platform where we can progress university sport … it gets people involved and gets us a good catchment area,” he said.
Turnbull, performance manager for the New Zealand Academy of Sport Winter Performance Programme, was assistant Chef de Mission at the world event in Italy in 2007 and an official with the New Zealand contingent at the Vancouver Winter Olympics earlier this year.
The World Universiade is the second largest winter sports event on the planet.
“It hasn’t got the prestige of the Olympics but I think it’s certainly going to go that way,” Turnbull said.
“If you have aspirations to compete at Olympic level, this is a good stepping stone to that.
“There’s a World Cup field in the ski races … strategically it’s a good move for athletes to compete. I think it’s massive in terms of preparation for a winter campaign.”
Turnbull and assistant Chef de Mission Cam Craighead met with perspective competitors in Wanaka this week to outline the Turkey event, to be held from January 27 to February 6, 2011.
“It will be world-class with all of the facilities brand new,” Craighead said. “The ski jumping course is literally right in the middle of a city that’s home to a million people.”
At the 25th bi-annual universiade, competitors from 51 countries will contest 14 disciplines – from ski racing and freestyle snowboarding to ice hockey and curling.
University Sport New Zealand president Ian Murphy said the organisation would continue its support with a competitive New Zealand delegation in Turkey.
“We’re about performance and putting a team together that will come back from the world event and ultimately benefit New Zealand’s winter high performance programme,” he said.
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Press Release
(For immediate release)
September 2, 2010
Double disciplines for Estelle
After an impressive six consecutive stints competing at the NZ Uni Snow Games, Otago University’s Estelle Baker decided an even bigger challenge was needed for her seventh.
So, instead of her traditional snowboard, she also packed skis this year and effectively doubled her competitive schedule – her tally of nine events the most of any of the 150 students gathered in Wanaka for the annual event.
“It’s the first time I’ve done both ski and board events – I thought it would be a bit of fun,” Baker, who is studying a PhD in Microbiology, said.
“It’s been a while since I was on skis but luckily I’ve remembered how to do it.”
Slalom ski and board, GS ski and board, skier-cross, boarder-cross, half-pipe, slopestyle, Big Air and even cross-country feature on Baker’s racing itinerary this week – and she’s even adopted the role of team manager for the 42-strong Otago contingent.
“It’s just good fun having some chilled competition,” Baker said. “Snow Games is a great opportunity to catch up with people from other universities as well.
“And its great having the event split over four resorts and three mountains – they’re completely different terrains.”
Winning the gold medal in the GS board event on Tuesday, a fifth placing in the boarder-cross and top 10 finishes in every other event, Baker has contributed valuable points as Otago strives to defend the coveted Mike Forrestal Memorial Shield, which it has dominated for the past few years.
“For the Otago University Alpine Sports Club, this is the big one – everyone builds up to it each year,” she said.
And there’s another annual custom – Baker’s birthday.
“I’ve celebrated my last seven birthdays at Snow Games – it’s a bit of a tradition.”
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Press Release
(For immediate release)
September 1, 2010
Thrills and spills in gravity cross
Snatching the gold medal in the Burton boarder-cross at the 2010 NZ Uni Snow Games took one crucial element according to Otago University student Tom Grootin.
“Just make sure everyone is looking at your bum as you cross the finish line,” he quipped.
Grootin reigned supreme in a highly-charged final at Cardrona today (Wednesday), beating Canterbury University’s Cody Logan by a snowflake. Otago’s Nick Conroy finished third.
In the women’s event, Canterbury’s Georgina Allen emerged victorious from the latest tussle on the slopes with team-mate Hannah Orchard, while Otago’s Mallory Nordblad was third.
Winter Olympian Mitchey Greig earned the Queenstown Resort College its inaugural Snow Games medal, predictably securing gold in the women’s skier-cross ahead of Caitlin Feasey, of Canterbury, and Courtney Tate, of Otago.
“It was great to be out there on a skier cross course in New Zealand,” Greig said. “It was a very mellow course but good fun though.
“It’s just cool to get this sport more well known in New Zealand – if there’s one way to grow its profile, it’s by holding events like this.”
Greig had enjoyed her first Uni Games experience, even rekindling old friendships – albeit while soaring over jumps at high speed.
“The four girls I was in the final with I used to race against in alpine so it was good to see each other again,” she said.
“It was a great atmosphere and everyone is having an awesome time.”
For Feasey, there was no shame in coming second to an Olympian.
“It was so good to watch what she does and try and follow her … she was in my semi as well so I tried to pick up a few hints,” she said.
Both the skier-cross and boarder-cross had proved popular amongst athletes, with 106 competitors contesting the events.
“It’s not as boring as normal racing against the clock – there’s a greater competitive element when you’re racing side by side,” Feasey said.
Otago’s Matt Johnson, who claimed gold in the men’s skier-cross, agreed.
“You’ve got all the jumps like freestyle but you’re racing against other people so there’s a bit of argy-bargy and some antics down the course,” he said.
“It got a little hectic out there but I’m stoked with the win.”
Stefan Calder, of Auckland University, and Tim Harker, of Lincoln University, rounded out the podium finishers.
The action continues with the Mad Wax ski and Burton board half pipe and slopestyle events at Snow Park tomorrow (Thursday), followed by the Big Air on Friday. The neighbouring Snow Farm will host cross country skiing on Friday afternoon.
Ends
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