Hayden Meikle

Robert van Royen has joined the Otago Daily Times sports department.

There really is no better way to prepare for a season than getting smashed up on a rocky ground in Fiji.

One of the worst-kept secrets in Otago sport has been confirmed - the Nuggets have lost their Sparky.

The Milk Cup experience never gets old for Neil Mackenzie and his bunch of likely lads.

The English Premier League resumes this weekend. Sports editor Hayden Meikle could try to predict the finishing order - but it boils down to whether it will be Chelsea or Manchester City that buys the title. Instead, he tried to name a Premiership XI consisting of players who could influence the season. (And then he predicted a finishing order.)

Joseph Beamish is ready to embark on his American dream. Sports editor Hayden Meikle talks to the 19-year-old John McGlashan College old boy as he flies to the United States today on an athletics scholarship.

Some of the most promising ice figure skaters in the Asia-Pacific region will strut their stuff in Dunedin this week.

The Waitaki boy came back to school a Waitaki man yesterday.

Daniel Carter's legacy is secure, but is he effectively finished as a front-line All Black? Hayden Meikle goes on the attack, and Steve Hepburn provides the case for the defence.

At 17, Otago Boys' High School year 12 pupil Sam Timmins has the basketball world at his feet. Next on his list is China, where he will represent New Zealand at the Youth Olympics. Sports editor Hayden Meikle talks to the rightest prospect in Otago hoops. 

Key forwards Charlie O'Connell, Liam Coltman and Tom Franklin all return to the starting XV for Otago's final warm-up game before the ITM Cup.

Predators by name, predators by nature.

What, no dark things in the woods? No evil beasts? No vampires, clowns or rabid dogs?

Sarah MacGibbon (19) is the ice queen - but she will happily show her fiery side if she gets angry. Sport editor Hayden Meikle talks to the young Dunedin woman who is the best ice figure skater in New Zealand.

Justin Flaws just wants to party like it's 1999 again.

Here's the tip: Newcastle United will win the English Premier League this season.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew says his team will aim to put on a show in memory of two fans killed in last week's Malaysia Airlines crash.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew says his team will aim to put on a show in memory of two fans killed in the Malaysia Airlines crash.