Bay Harbour: March 02, 2022

SPEEDY: Zara ‘the Lamborghini’ on a burst for the Tiger
Sharks rippa rugby team.
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
SUMNER RUGBY Club is
looking forward to another stellar
season as interest continues to
grow in girls’ junior teams, which
have seen a big increase in players
over the last two seasons.
The club is still taking junior
registrations, with pre-season
training starting on March 16,
and the competition kicking off
on May 7.
The Tiger Sharks play rippa
rugby in the under 10/11 grade.
This is non-contact and the rules
are simple. It also promotes
excellent ball handling and
running skills, while giving all
players a chance to participate in
a game.
The club has some strong junior
talent, such as 10-year-old Zara
Percasky, a year 6 pupil at Selwyn
House School.
Zara was seven when she
started playing rippa rugby.
She has two older brothers and
is not afraid to get in amongst the
play.
She is fit and fast and always has
a good chance of out running the
other players. “I’m motivated
to play rugby because I love
the feeling of walking onto the
field about to play a game,” said
Zara.
“It feels like our team is about to
achieve something great together,
and walking off the field knowing
we’ve either achieved that or
knowing we have to work harder
at the next training session for the
following game.
“I have had amazing coaches
that have pushed me by helping
me and encouraging me to keep
going for the try line and all the
rips.
“My friends and coach called
me ‘The Lamborghini’ because I
was so fast.”
Said junior club captain Richie
Dimbleby: “Zara is a great
wee rugby player, and she gets
involved with a heap of other
sports too.”
Zara is involved in everything
from cross-country running and
athletics to water polo, swimming
basketball and netball, just to
name a few.
Wednesday March 2 2022 Bay Harbour News
SPORT 11
Lamborghini-like young rippa rugby star
Playing a variety of sports has
helped her develop a number of
different skills and increase her
fitness.
Said Jake Mangin, the
club’s head coach and rugby
development officer: “Sport New
Zealand’s initiative, Balance
is Better, offers a fresh way of
thinking for the club as it’s about
creating quality experiences for all
young people to keep them active
and in the game.
“We embrace this opportunity
to innovate and show our
commitment to kids such as
Zara,” Mangin said.
“We understand we are an
important part of the long-term
development of all the children
and families who chose to join
Sumner Rugby Club.
“Most of all we want the kids to
have fun in an inclusive and safe
environment.”
•Registrations for junior
players are still open at
www.sumnerrugby.co.nz/
junior-rugby/
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