Nor'West News: May 15, 2018

12 Tuesday May 15 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
More girls needed for
new under-16 grade
• By Zahra Shahtahmasebi
CHRISTCHURCH’S new
under-16 girls rugby grade has
only just enough players to
field three teams for a 10-a-side
competition.
The grade, which was set up after
the Canterbury Rugby Football
Union ruled last
year that girls must
be 16-years-old to
play in the women’s
competition, needs a
dramatic increase in
numbers to be able
to offer a 15-a-side
competition.
CRFU chief
executive Nathan
Godfrey said the
grade aimed to support
the growth of women’s rugby
by creating a safe and inclusive
environment for girls to have fun.
But under-16s grade manager
Tamara Toaolamai said the CRFU
was paying lip-service to the idea,
as not a lot of thought has been
put into the development of the
grade.
She said the CRFU had put the
responsibility for recruiting more
players on parents and coaches
like Toaolamai.
“I’m a teacher and a mum of
four – I don’t have the time to go
around and promote a grade, and
it’s actually not my job.”
A new women’s and school girls’
Tamara and Naia
Toaolamai-Holden
rugby development officer has
been appointed by the CRFU, but
it is unclear if they have had any
active involvement with promoting
the grade.
Toaolamai’s daughter and High
School Old Boys’ top try scorer
from last season Naia Toaolamai-
Holden, 15, has been forced to
watch her former team
from the side-line following
the CRFU’s new
age rule.
She said the women’s
grade had been a great
environment for her
as it provided opportunities
to learn from
experienced players
like former Black Fern
Amiria Rule. She is one
of the oldest and most
experienced players in the new
under-16s grade.
Burnside women’s assistant
coach Claude Smith said the grade
needed to be focused on providing
quality competition, resources and
supportive coaches to help grow
the game for both experienced
and new players.
Ash Brett, 14, has played rugby
for 10 years, and was disappointed
to be missing out on the chance to
develop her game in the women’s
grade. “I don’t think age matters
as much as experience does – if
you have played rugby for a number
of years at a high standard, age
shouldn’t matter.”
US cricket team lures opener
SPORTS
• By Jacob Page
DAVID WAKEFIELD grew
up wanting to play cricket for
Canterbury but now has the
chance to push for playing
time with his place of birth, the
United States.
The 23-year-old Old Boys
Collegians opener was born in
Charlotte, North Carolina, before
his family returned to live
in Christchurch when he was a
toddler.
The past two seasons he has
been the second top run-scorer
in Christchurch club cricket
and cracked the Canterbury
A team where he made 90 on
debut against Auckland A.
Last week, the former
Christchurch Boys’ High School
standout travelled to Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, to try to make
the US team.
Wakefield said his rapid
form progression could be put
down to him “backing himself”
and enhancing his skills with
overseas stints in Adelaide and
Hampshire, United Kingdom,
over the past three or four
seasons.
Wakefield worked on his
technique while at the Darren
Lehmann Academy in Adelaide.
“Over there made me work
RUN MACHINE: David Wakefield is keeping his dream of
playing cricket for Canterbury alive while also chasing a
national call-up for the United States team.
on my technique and value my
wicket. Conditions are very
batter-friendly and it made me
work on my pre-ball routines
and the process that goes into
scoring runs.”
Wakefield said playing in
the Southern Premier League
in Hampshire saw him play
against a high standard of players,
including Australian international
Travis Head and fellow
Cantabrian Logan van Beek.
He said juggling the desire
to one day play for Canterbury
with the new opportunity to
play for the US would be something
he continued to ponder.
“I’ve grown up all my life
Serviced apartment, resthome and hospital
open afternoon
NOR’WEST NEWS
wanting to play for Canterbury
but this opportunity is very
exciting.” Wakefield scored
two half centuries in three
selection games for the team
last week.
A 30-man squad will be
named for a June training camp
in Houston.
Wakefield said the prospect
of playing in the US team in the
West Indies domestic competition
is appealing, plus playing
for promotion from the ICC tier
three championship to tier two
is enticing.
For now he has to juggle his
cricket ambitions with his law
and commerce degree.
Wednesday 23 May,
1.30pm – 4.00pm
We are delighted to offer you, your friends and
family an opportunity for a special tour of our
serviced apartments, resthome and hospital.
Come along to our information presentation at
2pm to find out more about the care options,
fees and subsidies.
For more information phone
Anna or Marie on 352 5140
95 Grants Road, Papanui
8231