North Canterbury News: July 27, 2023

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16 The North Canterbury News, July 27, 2023
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Nerf shootout fun for all ages
By JOHN COSGROVE
Achance sighting at an op shop in
Rangiora sparked the gem of an idea
and helped Ryan Edmunds of Loburn
create afun event for young people in
his community.
‘‘I was looking around the op shop and
saw ahuge box of Nerf blasters about to
be thrown out.
‘‘I asked about them and they were
happy for me to take them off their
hands.
‘‘I knew Ihad afew lying in my
wardrobe at home, and that’s when I
thought of holding aNerf Showdown to
keep young people entertained in the
district.’’
ANerf Blaster is atoy gun made by
Hasbro, that fires foam darts, arrows,
discs, or foam balls.
Most are manually powered using
pressurised air and have been abig
seller with children and exponents of
cosplay since 1992.
Many popular culture action movies
and online games have tie­ins with
Hasbro to make the Nerf blasters as
merchandising.
Ryan (21) helps run aKarate Dojo with
his brother at the North Loburn
Community Hall and set up aplaying
arena inside the hall to challenge and
entertain the participants.
‘‘I wanted to give the kids in the area
something to do on the weekend while
it’s wet and cold.’’
The young entrepreneur says his
parents even thought the idea had merit,
so he started planning for the day.
‘‘When Iwas younger, all Iwanted to
do was hang out with kids my age and
have afun day, this is aperfect way to
have some safe fun on acold day.’’
He scouted through other op shops
and online as he assembled acollection
of working blasters and lots of spare
Charge ... Ten year olds Ella Rothschild­Stewart (left) and Fergus Webb leap over one of
the obstacles at the Nerf Showdown, as Will Armstrong(10), Chester Densen (11) and
organiser Ryan Edmunds provide covering fire inside the North Loburn Community Hall.
foam ammo.
‘‘My parents set up the play area in the
dojo on my recent 21st birthday and we
had awhole lot of friends there.
‘‘We all had so much fun so Ithought it
was time to extend it out into the
community.’’
He says he made it an indoor activity,
as away to help young people get some
exercise and to run around, helping to
ease the stress of having lots of children
BOARDING SCHOOL
Boarding at Nelson College
I’m Tim Middleton, recently
appointedDirectorofBoarding
andDeputyPrincipal at Nelson
College. Having worked in
teaching andschool leadership for
22 yearsIam excitedtobepart of
this dynamic community.
Boarding is at theheart of Nelson
College, with boardersfrom New
Zealandand across theworld; the
Pacific, Australia, Asia,Europeand theAmericas.
From ournewly refurbishedon-campus hostels,
boardersenjoy accesstotwo gymnasiums,apool, a
weightsroom, playingfields andmusic suites.
In this close-knit family environment,students
PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
stuck indoors because of inclement
weather.
Amelia Rothschild­Stewart (10) says
she had alot of fun at the event, and the
best part was shooting her friends with
Nerf guns because they don’t hurt
anyone.
Ryan says he will run the showdowns
most Saturdays from 12 noon to 1pm.
You can rent blasters or bring your own.
There is some cost involved.
enjoyasafe andbusylifestyle whichgives them
accesstostructuredacademicsupport,widespread
opportunities,and thebeautiful Nelson region.
We emphasisestrongcommunicationbetween
home andboardingstaffwho ensure thecomfort and
developmentofyourson.Thesestaffalsohaveclose
linkstothe dayschool, strengthening theacademic
supportfor all boarders.
Boarding provides an organisedweekthatincludes
school,sportsand outsideactivities, as well as
academic supportthrough regulartutorials.
The sunnyNelsonclimateallowsfor year-round
activities that include tripstothe localbeaches and
rivers,ski field andlakes,aswellassomecity-based
recreation.
Boarding Enrolments
Now Open
START
YOUR
LEGACY
Welcoming Family Environment
High-level academic &leadership programmes
More than 30 sports options
Year-round outdoor activities in the Nelson/Tasman region
Competitive rates &noschool fees