Nor'West News: June 04, 2020

8
Thursday June 4 2020
News
Petition gets pump
track installed
A TEMPORARY pump track
has been installed in Shirley
following a 12-year-old’s petition
to provide one for the area.
Shannon Smith presented the
petition to the Papanui-Innes
Community Board in 2018,
asking to install a track at the
Shirley Community Reserve.
The 48m relocatable track features
bumps and bends suitable
for primary and intermediateage
riders, skateboarders, scooter
riders and roller skaters.
His determination resulted in
the track’s opening, therefore
Shannon and his family were the
first to wheel into action.
Community board chairwoman
Emma Norrish said the new
pump track provided an active
outdoor option for youngsters
and helped revitalise the reserve.
“Shannon spoke to our board,
outlining the importance of a
pump track to the local area,” she
said.
“He pointed out that young
people needed a place to skate,
scoot and bike, and that the nearest
skate park was ‘ages away’.
“We are thrilled that it has all
come together and that we now
have a special place for younger
family members – and that
Shannon is the first to line up.
“Local support had helped
power the project, with consultation
on the pump track attracting
a very positive response.”
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
DETERMINATION: A temporary pump track has been installed
at the Shirley Community Reserve following a petition to build
one in the area.
PHOTO: NEWSLINE
The relocatable modular
track also keeps options open for
any future use of the reserve space.
Along with the track, a
multi-purpose concrete table
and seating were to be installed
nearby.
Fahey eager to make
most of US opportunity
• By Jacob Page
FORMER BURNSIDE High
School volleyballer Tasmyn
Fahey refused to play the sport at
first – but now it has opened up
international career opportunities
she intends to capitalise on.
The 21-year-old is hoping to
return to the North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical University
for her senior season in
August.
But for now, she’s continuing
her psychology degree from her
family home in Burnside with
one eye on a future in improving
the foster care system in
either the United States or New
Zealand.
It’s a far cry from the 15-yearold
who had to be persuaded to
even try the sport by her high
school coach Sam Ryburn.
“He kept asking and asking
and I kept saying no, I didn’t
want to play but eventually he got
me in the gym with the team and
chucked me in the deep end.
“We had a good team, which
helped because I started late. I’d
never seen volleyball played so I
wasn’t sure about it.”
Fahey plays in the middle spot
and she hasn’t moved since.
She played her first two years at
Casper Junior College, Wyoming
before going to division one’s
NOR’WEST NEWS
FINAL YEAR: Tasmyn Fahey
hopes to get her senior
volleyball season at North
Carolina if she can.
North Carolina for her final two
years of eligibility.
“Casper was great for me
because it helped me adjust to
life in a college and America in
general,” she said.
“I feel like being in America is
my life at this point.
“At North Carolina, we have
great team chemistry and we all
want to do our best.
Fahey said she has a passion for
social justice.
“I want to work with trauma
victims and look into improving
the foster care system for kids.”
She admits she really wants
to get back to the US and hopes
to stay there once she graduates
early next year.
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