16 March Excellent end to club season March 16, 2020 By Pam Fraser Sport North Canterbury junior athletes were making their way on to the podium again this weekend, at the final meeting of the Canterbury athletics club season. The Canterbury Children’s Athletics championships were held at Nga Puna Wai, and several of our local athletes were in hot form. Recently crowned National U18 high jump champion, Jess Hendren, backed up that title with the Canterbury junior 14 girls title. She also finished 4th in the long jump, and 5th in the 80m hurdles, and shot put. The youngest winner for the North Canterbury team, was 8 year old Farai Musesengwa, who won the 8 boys long jump, and also finished second in the 200m, third in the 100m and discus, and 5th in the 60m. Musesengwa was also crowned the top overall 8 year old boy. Mya Phillips won the 13 girls Discus, was second in the shotput, third in the high jump, and 5th in the long jump. She also teamed up with Pippa Baker, Xanthe Jane, and Emelia Rayner, to win the 13 girls 4x100m relay. Phillips was the 4th overall 13 year old girl. Jane found herself on the podium in two individual events too, finishing third in the 13 girls 800m and 1500m, along with 5th in the 200m, 400m, and high jump. Siniva Ma’u picked up a third in the 14 girls discus, and Will Bint finished third in the 12 boys long jump, and 5th in the discus. Athletes will now wait for the Inter-provincial team selections to be made, in the hopes of representing Canterbury. Related Articles Cure Boating Club almost cured An exciting events venue – rising from the ashes of the decimated Cure Boating Club’s earthquake ruins – is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The iconic club, which has been situated along the banks of the Kaiapoi River since its 1868 inception, is easily found opposite Kaiapoi’s River Queen paddle steamer, and the Port & Eagle Brewpub. Breeding ground for Olympians As the fourth oldest rowing club in New Zealand, the Cure ... 135 years in the making COVID-19 has put the Kaiapoi Club’s 135-year anniversary plans on hold for now. The good news is that this club – like much of Christchurch – is not new to challenge and adversity, and its team were ahead of the curve, when the government announced New Zealand’s lockdown this week. It’s president, Maurice (Bones) Nutira said they had closed the Club by Monday, March 23, and they had put in place measures to support staff financially ... Queens win on club day The Kaiapoi Softball club held their club day, at the newest sporting facility in the Waimakariri. Norman Kirk Park in Kaiapoi is the new home of the Kaiapoi Softball club, and has two artificial surface, fenced diamonds, along with several grass pitches. It was a fantastic day, with teams savoring the opportunity to play at their own softball complex. The Premier women’s team faced Papanui and went behind 2-0 early, however when Caitlin Kennett hit ... Caution Urged As Fire Season Changes Fire and Emergency New Zealand are urging residents to avoid non-essential fires when Waimakariri moves into an open fire season on Sunday 3 May. Principal Rural Fire Officer, Bruce Janes, says even if a fire is permitted and under control, the smoke often generates a 111 call from the public, meaning firefighters need to leave their bubble to deal with an avoidable fire. “Now is the time to be more vigilant than ever to avoid an ... Good early season form The Waimak United men’s CCL team continued their early season form, defeating Burwood 3-1 at English Park. The match started with both teams trying to keep possession and build some dominance over the other, and it was Burwood who managed to score first, midway through the first half. Despite going down a goal, Waimak continued to play to the game plan, but were lucky not to go down a second goal when Burwood were awarded ... Early season form North Canterbury Athletes were showing more early season form over the holiday weekend at the Canterbury athletics meet at Nga Puna Wai. Top three placings: Lily Morrison 11girls 2nd 60m, 3rd 200m, Chelsy Reavill 12girls 3rd High Jump, Sienna Watson 14girls 1st 60m, 1st High Jump, 3rd 200m, Charlie Boyd 7boys 1st Discus, 3rd 60m, 3rd 100m, Keagan Fernando 7boys 3rd Long Jump, Farai Musesengwa 9boys 1st Long Jump, 2nd 60m, 2nd 100m. And in the ...