Jeff Cheshire

It is a good thing Mikayla Gray likes Dunedin.

A tough challenge awaits Otago as it looks to claim southern softball supremacy.

Dunedin fans will get the first live look at the Southern Steel in next year's ANZ Premiership.

The long build-up is almost over for Otago's top para-athletes.

A return to the court next year will act as a precursor to the Otago Nuggets' national basketball league comeback.

Four in their last year and three in their first.

James McGarry has taken another step in a flourishing football career.

There is certainly a different feel to Southern United heading into this season.

It has been a winter of change, but a familiar favourite remains.

Jessica Gill loves the buzz that comes with volunteering.

For a while it seemed Neil Broom had finished just short of Otago cricket's most elusive century.

Jobs do not get much tougher than preparing a cricket pitch during a month of rain. But that is what the University of Otago Oval ground staff have been tasked with.

A familiar face snatched victory from Southern United yesterday.

It was a fitting finish as a familiar name won the White Island Race title in a milestone year.

It battled hard, but Southern United could not find a way through.

An experienced core, a handful of new faces and a wave of local youth.

The nerves should be a little more subdued for Ruby Anderson this weekend.

Rosie Elliott has had to re-think her plans for the season this week.

The West Taieri club will rack up more than a few extra hours of travel next season.

Reaching a new level is never easy. But staying there is often even harder.