Bay Harbour: January 20, 2021

Wednesday January 20 2021
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 11
Surprise accolade for Sumner’s Finnish recruit
• By Chris Barclay
KALLE VALIMAKI has an
unexpected addition to his
sporting CV as he embarks on
his first pre-season with new
club Sumner, the promising
prop was surprised to learn he is
Finland’s latest rugby player of
the year.
Valimaki, who spent four seasons
with Methven in the Mid-
Canterbury competition before
targeting the step up to Christchurch’s
Metro Premiership in
2021, discovered last week he was
recognised in Finland’s equivalent
of the Halberg Awards.
“I woke up last Thursday and I
had a message from Dad (Simo)
saying: ‘Congratulations my son’
and I was like, my birthday was
in December’,” Valimaki said.
A quick scan of his old rugby
club’s facebook page confirmed
the accolade, meaning had he
been back in Helsinki – and
Covid-19 was not an issue – the
26-year-old would have been
mixing with elite ice hockey
stars, footballers and Olympic
class skiers.
Ultimately the gala was scaled
back so Valimaki, who works as
a chef in the Arts Centre, was
content to be back in Covid-free
Christchurch.
“It was a pleasant surprise, I
never got any heads-up,” said
Valimaki, who was introduced to
rugby as an 18-year-old.
He preferred indoor hockey
and football before a chance
meeting with a Dutch rugby
player at a party, who suggested
he had the build for the front
row.
“I remember my first training
session, it was in a horse stable in
the winter because it was -25 deg
C outside.
“I remember running into
contact for the first time thinking
this is pretty exciting. I just
fell in love with the sport.”
A specialist loosehead, Valimaki’s
Kiwi coach in Finland
encouraged him to further his
development in New Zealand
and he ended up in Methven in
early 2017, two years after debuting
for the national side.
“I didn’t really know where
Methven was but I had just
finished chef school and there
was nothing holding me back. I
TALENTED: Finnish international prop
Kalle Valimaki celebrated winning
the Watters Cup with Methven before
answering an SOS call from Sumner
late last season, the club he will play for
in 2021.
decided to overseas to play rugby
for a year and now I’m living
here permanently.”
Valimaki has 15 caps for
Finland, his most recent test was
in 2019 when he was flown to
Vienna for their first-ever test
with Austria.
“It was a round trip in a week
so I was pretty shattered, 30
hours there and 30 hours back,”
he recalled.
Still, the trip was worthwhile
as Finland edged the European
Nations Cup clash 32-29.
Valimaki also had a memorable
2020 once the global pandemic
curtailed a backpacking
trip around Europe with his
partner Emma Petersen.
They returned to New Zealand
from Italy via Finland last
March, enabling Valimaki to
feature in Methven’s triumphant
march to the Watters Cup.
Valimaki then learned Sumner
was struggling for numbers in
Christchurch’s Metro Premier
grade so he made himself available
at the tail end of a challenging
campaign.
“I played about five minutes off
the bench in Sumner’s last game
against Marist Albion. Even
though they had a tough season,
the atmosphere was good,” he
said, looking forward to contributing
to a resurgence.
Work commitments limit
Valimaki’s ability to catch Crusaders
or Canterbury games live,
though he does keep a watchful
eye on premier All Black loosehead
Joe Moody.
“I’ve actually met Joe, we had
a bit of a chat. We’re about the
same height, he’s a bit stockier,
which is understandable, he’s
a professional athlete. I was
sort of sizing him up,” he said,
acknowledging: “I’ve got a wee
way to go.”
Edith Cavell Corner
The beautifully refurbished gardens are ready to be enjoyed by Edith Cavell’s residents.
Gardens set for
the “Wow” factor!
Looking after Edith Cavell’s much-loved gardens is Head
Gardener, Dave Milne. A lot of his career was spent working
at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, one of the most
prestigious botanical gardens in the world.
Dave says he loves the atmosphere at Edith Cavell, “It’s so lovely
and quaint, and quiet with lovely surrounds.”
He’s excited about bringing lots of colour, brightness and joy to
the refurbished gardens at Edith Cavell. You may have already
noticed the new burst of colour at the entrance. “We really want to
bring the ‘Wow factor’ to the village gardens,” says Dave.
Dave says the established trees, such as the Weeping Elm and
Tulip Tree, are special features and he wants to build on the
existing garden by creating layers of canopies. He says the
gardens are a wonderful place for residents to walk around and
spend time in. “I want to make sure there’s year-round interest in
the garden. Something new and lovely to look at every month of
the year,” he says.
Dave also enjoys seeing what the residents in the villas do with
their own individual gardens,
“I’m all for it, and we’re always ready to help if they want anything
ripped out or moved.” Dave says the Sumner community will enjoy
the developments over the next months, including new gardens on
Dryden Street, “Watch this space!”
Watch this space for more news and updates on Edith Cavell’s
refurbishment.
For more information on the Edith Cavell refurbishment call (03) 326 6608 or
visit heritagelifecare.co.nz/EdithCavell