Kaipara College 2018 sports report

Rugby
The fifth-grade rugby team had a great season, winning 10 out of 12 games, coming 1st in B Grade. They worked hard as a team and conquered some big hurdles, with several boys out for a time injured. Players had to play out of their favoured positions, but everyone got stuck in and backed each other. We had some close games and some individuals did a great job leading from the front. The boys really deserved their finals victory as they improved in all aspects of the game and became a very well-rounded team. A big thank you to coach Clint Jones and manager Kim Batley for all your hard work and time supporting the boys!
Football
The girls’ football team had a stellar season.  With most of the players juniors and some new to the game they came together to be competitive. Facing tough opponents, they were challenged with some hard games. After facing a tough loss to Orewa College they refocused their ambitions, with the goal of making top four. With continued improvement they reached the finals, where they played Orewa in a tough, well fought game, with Orewa winning 3-1. Finishing second in the North Harbour grade the girls should be extremely proud of their achievements. A big thank you to coaches Micheal Graham, Leonie Masters and Manager Ali Howie for the time and effort they put into training and games. We hope to see the junior girls progressing into next year’s season and continuing to represent Kaipara College’s values.
UNISS
The premier netball team travelled to Mt. Maunganui on 2 of September to compete in UNISS, the upper North Island secondary school’s netball tournament, where approximately 120 teams come together annually to compete over a week. Having moved up from the D grade in the 2017 UNISS tournament, the premier netball team faced the challenge of the more competitive C grade, starting the tournament with the goal of top five, in order to move up to B grade in 2019. They faced some difficult teams, some tough games, torrential weather, sore muscles, and tired bodies throughout the week. Despite these challenges, the team came away with 8/9 wins, and won the semi-final against Takapuna to place them in the C-grade grand final on the last day. They were very proud that not only had they achieved their goal of top five, they had exceeded their expectations, making themselves, the management team, and the supporters extremely proud. Kaipara fought hard and played their hearts out in the final between with the closely matched Waiuku team. Coming away with a close loss, Kaipara were second overall in the C grade. We are also proud to have Angelina Sipa and Danielle Binksselected in the C grade tournament team. We are very grateful to the management team, head coach Mako Wilson, co-manager and statistical analyst Richard Binks and co-manager and primary caregiver Sonja Binks for all the hard work and support they have provided. Also a very special mention and thanks to Mike Hart, one of  Kaipara’s most dedicated, experienced umpires, who was a part of the 2018 UNISS campaign.
Waka Ama - Hawaii trip 
28 Kaipara College students spent 20 months planning, fundraising and training to prepare to compete in the world’s largest long-distance outrigger canoe race, fondly known as The Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race. The students needed to raise $4300 each. Fundraising and sponsorship contributed towards making the trip affordable for all students.
On 29 August, 28 Kaipara College students along with six staff left New Zealand for Kona in Hawaii. Distances in the competition ranged from a 1km sprint, to the main event,which saw 120 teams from all over the Pacificpaddling 26km up and down the coast of Kona. This was followed the following day with a series of 7km age group races.
Kaipara College Students featured four teams of 6-man waka in the main event, winning three medals in their category:
 - Kaipara Under 19 Boys completed the course in 2hrs 22min 47sec to win silver
 - Kaipara Under 19 Girls completed the course in 2hrs 46min 33sec to win bronze
 - Kaipara Open Mixed Team completed the course in 2hrs 24min 57sec to win bronze
In the shorter 7km event Kaipara Under 16 Boys 1 and Under 16 Girls both won gold in their category. Kaipara Under 19 Girls won silver, Kaipara Under 16 Boys 2 won silver, as did Kaipara Open Mixed Double Hull.
All students entered the relay races, which consisted of eight paddlers and a 4-man waka. Kaipara Under 19 Mixed Team wonbronze in this event.
All competitors gathered for ‘International Paddlers Night, where the Kaipara College students performed the school haka Nga Taniwha o Kaipara with pride and passion.
During their time in Hawaii the students had the opportunity to see from helicopters the recent damage caused by the erupting volcano, to make a humbling visit to Pearl Harbour, and to experience swimming with turtles at Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo.
The management team would like to thank everyone who helped make this opportunity a reality for these students. In particular, our generous sponsors: Parakai Springs; Top to Bottom Demolition; Specialized Construction; Signature Homes; Lions Club of  Helensville; Neville Brothers; and Requisite New Zealand Ltd.

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