Spotlight on Southland Sport: Friday Edition
Plenty of sport to delve into in this week's Spotlight on Sport: Friday Edition. Enjoy the read.
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Matt Saunders: Ready to get to work….
New Rugby Southland Director of Rugby Matt Saunders talks about why he put his hand up for the job and why he wants to try help provide Southland rugby fans the success they are searching for. (READ MORE HERE)
Devastating news for Southern Steel shooter
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel’s international shooting star George Fisher has been ruled out of the 2023 netball season with a serious knee injury. (READ MORE HERE)
Jubilee Cup here we come….
Congratulations to those named in the Southland softball senior women’s team to compete in the Jubilee Cup in Christchurch this weekend.
The team: Sarnya Apela, Kiana Collett, Keira Harvey, Jazara Hopa, Hannah Symon, Isobel Thompson, Rochelle Watson and pickup players Caitlin Henderson, Maddison Parsons, Raina Josephs and Sydelle Sipiki-Samuelu (Canterbury)
Coach: Rachel Newton (non-travelling); Coach: Rachel Cade Assistant Coach: Rosie Cullen Manager (Jubilee Cup): Rata Hopa
Midlands RFC eyes sevens heaven….
The Winton-based Midlands Rugby Club is doing a good job in putting its hand up to be the home of sevens rugby in Southland.
The club plans to host two sevens tournaments in 2023, the first on February 18. Entries close today (Feb 10).
Three women’s teams have entered to date, and 10 men’s teams, including teams from as far as Christchurch.
The day is free entry to the general public and there will be spot prizes for the best dressed supporters. Food will be on sale and a coffee kart there all day, with the clubrooms will also be open for refreshments.
Stories Elsewhere….
Watching Cam Millar’s progress in some parts stirs up that feeling that the Gore product is the one that got away for Southland rugby, given he’s now aligned with Otago. The reality is Southland should be proud of what the young first five-eighth is achieving in the game.
Today [Friday] he will start in the No 10 jersey for the Highlanders in its preseason showdown against the Crusaders. Check out ODT sports reporter Kayla Hodge’s story on Millar for more detail. [READ MORE].
From the Birdcage….
All roads lead to Ascot Park Raceway on Sunday in Invercargill for the running of the Riverton Trotting Club’s Cup Day meeting.
Feature races include the DT Kings Transport Mobile Pace, the Neville Cleaver Fishing Aparima Trot and the Bill Keast Memorial Trot.
A heat of the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southern Oaks will also be run. The first race is set to start at 12.19pm and the last of 10 races is scheduled to start at 4.24pm.
The Sporting Weekend…..
(Out & About)
Here’s a tip for you, even if you are into motorbikes or not. Head along to Teretonga Park on Saturday for the E Hayes & Sons Sprint Races as part of the Burt Munro Challenge.
There’s a reason I say that, because there’s a 16-year-old Southlander that’s worth catching a glimpse of. Cormac Buchanan will head to Europe in March for another campaign which will include the World Junior Championships.
When Buchanan is one day flying the NZ flag in the World Superbikes Championships be that person who can say they watched him racing at Teretonga Park as a 16-year-old.
(On The Couch)
Before you head along to the Ascot Park Raceway on Sunday for the Riverton Trotting Club meeting keep an eye on Trackside TV for some of the Southland horses lining up at Addington tonight (Friday). Included are Tact McLeod in race 6 and Captain Tom in race 7.
Kirsten Green’s Macandrew Aviator is another Southland horse who will line up in race 4 which includes Invercargill Cup winKrug.
From the Archives….
I suggested just above that you should head out to Teretonga Park on Saturday and watch 16-year-old Cormac Buchanan in action. But before you do that have a read of this piece that I put together on him this time last year for The Southland Times/Stuff. It provides a bit of an insight into his journey. (READ MORE HERE)
Get in touch….
If you have something you think is worth featuring in either our Friday or Sunday Spotlight on Sport editions, please get in touch. NOTE: Please provide as much detail as possible to help us collate everything at this end. Email logan@southlandtribune.com
In case you missed it….
Paying tribute: You might not be aware of the strange but glorious individuals that give up almost their entire Saturdays, all for the battle between leather and willow. We pay tribute to them. (READ MORE HERE)
