Police News May 09.indd - New Zealand Police Association

POLICE COUNCIL OF SPORTTo contact the Police Council of Sport, call Alison Murray at the RNZPC. Ph: (04) 238-3139Rippa of an eventBy Deb Stringer, Communications AssistantThe inaugural NZ Police Association Rippa RugbyWorld Cup turned up an unlikely championrecently, after bottom-ranked Japan (FerndaleSchool) managed to snatch the winning matchoff the USA (Gladstone School).The event, which was held at Masterton’sMemorial Park, drew together 160 (year 5and 6) Wairarapa primary school pupils, whorepresented the International Rugby Board’s(IRB) 16 top-ranked international teams.Masterton Police Youth Education Officer,Constable Nathan Couch, said the aim of theday was to promote the idea of: “In sport, outof court”.“Basically, it means we were trying to encouragethese kids to participate in sport, which webelieve can act as a deterrent for getting yourselfinto trouble.”He also told the Wairarapa Times-Age the eventencouraged “positive interaction” betweenpolice and young people.Awesome dayCouch described the day’s events as“awesome”.The event opened with a parade of nationswhere all teams got to march for the countrythey were representing.He said the New Zealand team (St Theresa’sSchool) performed the haka while bagpipesaccompanied the team representing Scotland(Douglas Park School).Couch said about 80 people turned out tosupport the cause.Lots of support“Everyone was dressed up and cheering ontheir chosen team. It was a real fun-filledevent,” he said.The day was such a success Couch said policehoped to stage the event again next year.“It all depends on funding, however we werelucky enough to be sponsored by the PoliceAssociation this year, and the drink bottlesthey provided were such a hit with the kids.“That, coupled with the amount of positivefeedback we have received from the schoolsas well as others, has definitely shown us howbeneficial it all was.”IRB rankings plus names of schools(courtesy of the Wairarapa Times-Agenewspaper)1. New Zealand - St Teresa’s School,Featherston.2 South Africa – South End School,Carterton.3 Australia – Masterton Primary School,Masterton.4 Argentina – Opaki School.5 Wales – Hadlow School, Masterton.6 Ireland – St Patrick’s School, Masterton.7 France – Martinborough School.8 England – Whareama School.9 Scotland – Douglas Park School.10 Fiji – Kahutara School.11 Samoa – Lakeview School, Masterton.12 (11) Italy – Carterton School.13 (13) Tonga – Solway School, Masterton.14 (19) USA – Gladstone School.15 (14) Canada – Greytown School.16 (17) Japan – Fernridge School, Masterton.• The teams were based on IRB ranking as of late2008 and include USA at the expense of Georgia in apool otherwise representative of current standings.Bennett Wing reunion proposedWould any member who entered Trenthamin January 1960 in the Bennett WingNo 13, and who would be interested inattending a proposed 50th reunion, pleaserespond to Sam Cleland, (03) 3578121or Email, janandgraeme@paradise.net.nzbefore the end of June.A reunion could be arranged in theWellington area in January next year ifthere is sufficient interest.• Police staff with the winning team from Ferndale School, which played as Japan.Visit www.policeassn.org.nz for updated contact details for the Police Council of Sport management committee,District Sports Officers and the latest schedule of events.May 2009101