Aidan Stehbens, Aimee Moss and Liana Smith recently competed at the New Zealand Open Championships for swimming, a qualifying meet for the World Champs to be held later this year. Stehbens, of Pukekohe Swimming Club, competed in both the 50 metre breastroke and 50 metre butterfly, setting a personal best time in the butterfly.

Both Smith and Moss swim for Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club. Smith competed in several events including the 50 metre freestyle and 200 metre IM where she made the B final. Moss competed in four of the freestyle events and made two B finals in the 100 metre freestyle and 200 metre freestyle. She also made the A final in the 50 metre freestyle and was first reserve in the 400 metre freestyle.

Both Smith and Moss represented Howick Pakuranga in the 4x200 metre freestyle relay, just missing out on a 3^rd placing.

Council Committed to Charity Cause

On the 9^th and 10^th of March, the Strathallan council took part in the annual Relay for Life at the Pukekohe A&P showgrounds. Councillors had spent the past month fundraising for this event with even a few students bringing home baking to school to raise more money. Over $1500 was raised by the student council members! Relay for Life is the signature community event run by the cancer society every year. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the journey of cancer survivors whilst remembering the ones who have lost their lives to cancer. Teams take part in a ‘run’ (a leisurely stroll is more appropriate!) starting from 5pm on Saturday till 9am on Sunday, keeping two team members with a baton on track at all times.

The ACG Strathallan 2013 Athletics Day was an incredibly successful event, with college students of all ages competing in athletic and novelty activities in support of their house.  It was a day of great fun, excitement and extreme competition as track records were smashed at Massey Park in Papakura.

Timothy Hamblin, a year 11 student and talented hockey player, has a very exciting year ahead of him.  Tim has been selected by Midlands Hockey to attend their prestigious Under 15 Academy.  This programme offers a high level training environment for Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Tauranga, Thames Valley and the Waikato’s most elite players.  Tim has been invited to attend four intense training sessions in the upcoming months, where he will perfect his technical skills and game awareness as well as improve his fitness and strength. 

Midlands Hockey is a widely recognised organisation that aims to give skilled athletes such as Tim the highest chance of achieving national recognition in the future. Midlands Hockey also selects, develops and supports the Men’s and Women’s National Hockey League and Under 21 teams as they compete in annual tournaments.