17 November Pride right the ship November 17, 2020 By Pam Fraser Sport After losing their second round match to Auckland, the Canterbury United Pride got back to winning ways against Waikato Bay of Plenty. But they didn’t have it all their own way, with WaiBoP the first to score. However, a great strike from Whitney Hepburn saw last year’s champions level the score. Just before halftime the Pride scored a second through Britney Lee Nicholson. In the second half, North Canterbury’s Gabi Rennie put the Pride up 3-1, heading home a free kick, and the match looked sewn up. However, WaiBoP weren’t going to lie down that easily and caught the Pride on the break to make it 3-2 and get themselves back in the match. Late in the game the Pride won a penalty and Rebecca Lake coolly slotted it, to restore the two goal advantage, and take the win 4-2. At home, the Canterbury United Dragons men’s team kicked off their Premiership season against Waitakere. Former North Canterbury player, Luke Tongue started for the Dragons, however their seemed to be nothing they could do, as the Auckland side tucked away four unanswered goals. Related Articles MainPower shoulders sponsorship for sports facility MainPower shoulders sponsorship for sports facility Officials paused on Friday to celebrate the enormity of their $28 million journey to complete North Canterbury’s newest sports facility, and to acknowledge its naming rights sponsors. With the smell of the finish line fast becoming a reality for the July 2021 opening of the 6000msq four-court building – which will seat up to 500 spectators – MainPower NZ Limited was announced as the first major naming rights sponsor to ... Sponsorship boosts Cust School’s agricultural event Students at Cust School enjoyed hands on learning at their recent agricultural day thanks to a community sponsorship initiative by Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL). Teacher Eleanor Smith says being able to provide prizes and extras such as a giant pumpkin seed for each student to take home and grow really made the event stand out. “It was fantastic to have WIL sponsor the event because we were able to provide ribbons for each prize winner, along ... Minor Premiership down to the wire The Massetti Cup rugby league Minor Premiership has come down to the final weekend. The Linwood Keas hold a slender lead at the top of the table, by for-against, over the Northern Bulldogs. Both teams had wins in the weekend, and so the final round of the regular season, this weekend, will be the decider. The Northern Bulldogs had a tight first half tussle with the Hornby Panthers, leading 16-12 at the break. But they ... Cultural land awareness creates brighter future Life has turned full circle for Environment Canterbury’s Poū Matai Kō (mahinga kai facilitator) Makarini Rupene as he moves his focus from Kaikōura to the Waimakariri area where he grew up and still lives today. Makarini’s role centres on raising awareness of how to use the land and environment in a way that cultivates an understanding of mahinga kai and sustainability. He’s excited about being back on home soil after spending the past 18 months ... Captivating Canterbury Futsalers Reach Final The Canterbury United Futsal Pride were in Wellington from the 14th-16th February, defending their National SuperLeague Futsal title. This year, the squad of 14 consisted of four current Waimak United players; Sophie Williams, Madi Silcock, Macey Fraser, and Lily Fisher, along with 3 former North Canterbury players; Tahlia Herman-Watt, Hannah Hegarty, and Rebecca Lake, and the non-travelling reserve, Freya Lodge-Whitham was also a Waimak United player. An incredible feat for the district, which is ... Taking the girl out of the country… You can take the girl out of the country, but not the country out of the girl. Former Silver Fern captain Julie Seymour was raised on Ashgrove St, in Rangiora. Sitting down to a cup of tea on a promising Canterbury spring morning, Seymour is reflective and philosophical about her 16-year national netball career, which earned her a Member of the New Zealand Order Of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday honours in 2003. This workaholic mid-courter played ...