Golf
The Southern Golf Academy has been running a golf coaching and playing programme during term one. About 25 beginner and existing golfers have been attending weekly sessions, with the venues alternating around the four main courses in Dunedin.
Each day has consisted of some coaching on various parts of the game, followed by a part round played over a few holes.
SGA spokesman and Chisholm Park professional Andrew Whiley says it has proven popular with the pupils. It is hoped, he says, to look at a similar programme in term four aimed at year 9 and 10 students specifically.
Boys football
The boys midweek competition starts today with a round of grading games in the junior grade. An increase to nine teams from five last season is an excellent gain, with seven teams entered in each of the reserve and premier grades.
Otago Boys have five teams entered, Kings High four, John McGlashan, Kaikorai Valley and Logan Park three, Taieri College two and Bayfield, South Otago and Kavanagh College one each.
It is expected the first five listed schools will dominate the competitions. Last season's reserve grade and premier finals were decided by one goal each, with the semifinals also close affairs.
The junior grade is more of an unknown quantity, but the increase in numbers is a positive for the future in what is a very popular competition.
With experienced coaches and former players of the calibre of Roger Brooks, Mike McGarry, Gareth Hore, Dougal McGowan and Otago Milk Cup head coach Neil McKenzie in charge of teams across the grades, it is little wonder several talented youngsters now grace various squads in Saturday's premier league grade.
Games are played on Wednesdays starting at 3.45pm at various venues around the city. The weekly draw is available on the OSSSA website.
Ice hockey
The OSSSA weekly competition begins on Wednesday, May 6 with a practice day for all teams. May 13 will also be a practice day before the competition begins on May 20.
We are fortunate to have been allocated five hours of ice time from 4pm to 9pm each Wednesday, with the format of the competition likely to follow similar lines to last year with teams placed in sections of comparable ability.
Entries are expected from Bayfield High School, Kings High School (2), Queens High School, Otago Girls High School, St Hildas Collegiate, Otago Boys High School (3), Taieri College, Logan Park High School, John McGlashan College (2) and Balmacewen Intermediate - a total of 14 teams.
The highlight of the season will be hosting the South Island secondary schools ice hockey tournament from August 31 to September 3.
Cross-country
At the request of the schools, the format for the cross-country programme has been changed to give a more logical sequence of events building to the Otago championships on June 3.
The events are as follows: Logan Park road race (June 7), Caversham harrier relays (June 12), Otago schools duathlon (June 21), the Otago-Southland relays (May 27) and the Otago cross-country championships at Wingatui on June 3.
Of special significance is the reintroduction of the team trophies for the Otago cross country championships.
The first four team members' placings from each school will count towards their overall result.
Team trophies will be awarded in all three girls and boys races, and we are encouraging schools to enter large numbers of athletes to make this a special event.
Sports co-ordinators meet
Before the end of term one, all sports co-ordinators from Otago schools assembled in Roxburgh for an all-day meeting.
Garry Carnachan, executive director of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council, addressed the meeting with particular emphasis on participation numbers in schools. In most regions throughout the country, the number of pupils playing sport for their school has been declining.
This is of real concern, particularly with the dramatic decline of some traditional team sports.
In contrast, individual sports - particularly multisport - are on the increase. The Ministry of Education and Sparc are well aware of the situation and are expected to boost the resources in all secondary schools to help address the situation.
Last year, Otago had a participation rate of 63%, compared with a national participation rate of 52%.
Hayden Meikle, sports editor for the Otago Daily Times, talked about the presentation of articles for our fortnightly page, the Fast Lane contributions, and the best 10 athletes in secondary schools during the year.
Hayden fielded a number of questions as well as receiving praise for the general exposure given to secondary school sport.
John Harley, from Orbit Travel, and assistants Kay and Vicki, gave a comprehensive presentation on group travel for secondary school teams both within New Zealand and overseas.
Marise Stuart, the Netball Otago umpire development officer, talked about the need to recruit more umpires from secondary schools, and explained the training that was available under her guidance.
Group discussions on various topics took place during the afternoon including the Canterbury school model for Wednesday afternoon sport and the best methods of obtaining feedback from the pupils on sport delivery in their school and in Otago.
Clive Rennie, the NZSSSC chairman, attended the meeting, providing guidance and support on several issues.
Cycling
This has been the most successful year for female cyclists at Dunstan High School so far.
Sophie Williamson won the Te Awamutu junior tour. She was fifth coming into the final stage, but with an impressive ride she outclassed the other competitors to take top spot.
Following this brilliant win, Sophie (who still has two years left to compete in the under-17 grade) placed second in the Rotorua-Tineli junior tour after two strong days of cycling.
She gained second place in all races against some top competitors.
Sophie was also named the Central Otago junior sportswoman of the year for 2008.
Dunstan High School pupil Kate McDonald has also proved she is one to watch after securing second place overall in the New Zealand secondary schools mountain bike championships, held recently in Levin.
Kate came third in the downhill, second in the cross-country and first in the uphill.
Competing against Kate in this grade was Georgia Whyte, also from Dunstan, who placed first in the downhill. Both of these girls have been selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the world championships in Australia later this year.
• Calendar
Today: Boys football, junior grading, the Oval.
May 2: Boys rugby starts.
May 4: Girls hockey starts.
May 5: Girls badminton, girls basketball, boys hockey start.
May 6: Girls rugby, boys badminton, ice hockey start.
May 7: Logan Park road race.
May 8: Boys basketball starts.
May 9: Netball starts.
May 12: Caversham harriers relay, Kings High School.
These articles are compiled by the Otago Secondary Schools Sports Assn Inc (OSSSA), which is proudly sponsored by the University of Otago College of Education. Contacts: Des Smith, Otago Regional Sports Director, PO Box 6303, Dunedin. Ph 470-1337 Fax 470-1786 Email: des@osssa.org.nz Website: www.osssa.org.nz
