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NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Rotorua Smokefree Rockquest: Taupō's Pocket Watchers win regional final
After gaining first place at the regional Smokefree Rockquest, 16-year-old Leroy Walker (saxophone and backing vocals in the Pocket Watchers) said: 'Everyone was so cool and amazing'. 'We thought everyone today deserved a great chance at it, I wish them all the best of luck in their futures. It's just a great event.' Second in the band category was Nga Kai Kiore from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Huiarau. The top spot of the solo-duo category went to Mikayla Edwards, from Tauhara College, and second place to Floss Savanah and John Tamuno from John Paul College. All four Smokefree Rockquest place winners now have the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 15 national finalists to play off at the national finals in September. The Smokefree Tangata Beats regional winners are Kotahi te Rā from Rotorua Boys' High School. They now go into the selection process for the national final of Smokefree Tangata Beats, at Auckland's ASB Theatre on September 13. RQP co-founder and co-director Glenn Common said the next stage of the programme offers new opportunities for development, building on what the entrants have already experienced. 'Preparing their performance helps develop their musicianship, songwriting, and performance skills. For bands and duos, it's a collaborative effort that builds teamwork and important life skills, like communication. 'All entrants are learning valuable lessons in setting goals and experiencing the sense of achievement that comes from creating something and showcasing it.' The full list of awards for Rotorua 1st place Band - Pocket Watchers, Taupo-Nui-A-Tia-College. 2nd place Band - Nga Kai Kiore, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Huiarau. 3rd place Band - Rau Huia, Rotorua Boys' High School. 1st place Solo-Duo - Mikayla Edwards, Tauhara College. 2nd place Solo-Duo - Floss Savanah and John Tamuno, John Paul College. 1st place Smokefree Tangata Beats (band) - Kotahi te Rā, Rotorua Boys' High School. Musicianship Award - Te Ruanuku Teka from Mad Machines, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Huiarau. Musicianship Award - Revamp, Taupo-Nui-A-Tia-College. Smokefree Best Vocals Award - Te Uamairangi Webster-Tarei from Kotahi te Rā, Rotorua Boys' High School. ZM Best Song Award - Angelica, John Paul College. APRA Lyric Award - Tiffany from Stuck In A Smile for Echo In The Room, Reporoa College. Rockshop Electronic Assist Performance Award - Angelica, John Paul College. The tour continues with regional events, leading to the Smokefree Rockquest national final on September 20, following the Smokefree Tangata Beats national final on September 13, both in Auckland.
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Ex-Silver Fern Samantha Winders teaches netball injury prevention as ACC claims rise
Winter sports-related injury claims and costs have consistently gone up over that period in Bay of Plenty. Rugby union led the pack last year, with nearly 5000 claims costing more than $10m. The 1504 netball claims cost just over $3.2m. Football, basketball, and netball injuries were most common among 10-14-year-olds, whilst rugby union and rugby league injuries were most common among 15-19-year-olds. Winders, a former John Paul College deputy head girl, spent nine years with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and played 47 tests for the Silver Ferns. She has not hung up her bib yet, playing club netball for Ngongotahā in the Tauranga premier competition. Winders said she managed to avoid any serious injuries during her professional playing days, when she was an ambassador for NetballSmart. ACC has partnered with Netball NZ since 1997 to deliver the programme focused on improving performances in sport by preventing injuries. Winders said her regional development job was about teaching, a vocation she had always felt called to. 'It's very much a teaching role, but not in a classroom setting, obviously in a netball setting, and that's something I feel like I'm a bit of an expert in.' As the development officer, Winders works with coaches, players, schools, centres and clubs to help develop strategies to improve performance and decrease injury risk. NetballSmart is an evidence-based framework and includes a revised warm-up that focuses on key game-specific movements such as landings and deceleration. Winders said she had a responsibility to develop the athletic side of a netball player, setting a good foundation in injury prevention and management. 'Injury management doesn't just happen on the netball court or in prevention. It starts well before that. 'A big part of it is preparation, warming up properly and moving well, but at the same time it's sort of empowering athletes to take responsibility for themselves in the way they prepare for the game.' She said NetballSmart was about breeding 'good movers' who lived by their principles. 'NetballSmart speaks for itself, it's a smart way to approach netball. 'If you have a good, strong foundation, then you will prevent injuries.' She was 'very grateful' that netball was and remained such a 'massive' part of her life. 'It's a pretty basic sport, but there is so much room for growth and development within it … it's taken me all over the world." She could not imagine ever losing her love for playing and competing, but said she also found working with young players very rewarding. 'I really would love to see more players from this region crack it, because they have the ability to.' Silver Ferns lead physiotherapist Sharon Kearney has driven a revision of the programme. 'Sam's ability to share her expertise directly with players on achieving success, integrated with NetballSmart messaging to minimise injury risk, is invaluable,' Kearney said in a statement. 'That is why Sam was great as a NetballSmart ambassador and now as one of our regional officers. She can help tell the story of what it takes to play netball like she does.' Winter sports injury claims ACC data for 2024 in the Bay of Plenty showed: 1504 netball claims costing $3,216,405 2485 football claims costing $3,449,577 4912 rugby union claims costing $10,500,091 995 rugby league claims costing $2,276,739 1721 basketball claims costing $1,719,023.
West Australian
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Nominations open for City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's 2025 Youth Awards
Nominations are open for local awards celebrating the achievements and contributions of young people and youth-focused organisations. The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is calling for nominees for the 2025 Youth Awards, which shine a spotlight on the talent, passion and community spirit demonstrated by youth aged 12-25. There are six award categories available for nomination: young achiever, young tradesperson or apprentice, young community champion, young cultural leader, youth worker or volunteer, and organisation of the year. Mayor Glenn Wilson encouraged community members to get behind the awards and nominate a deserving young person or group. 'Every year, I'm excited to hear the real-life stories of young people doing great things in our community — from volunteering their time to leading cultural initiatives to excelling in their trades and studies,' he said. 'These awards are our chance to acknowledge that hard work and say 'thank you'. 'It's also about showing our youth that their efforts matter — and that their city and community sees and values what they're doing. 'If you know someone who's making a difference, big or small, now's the time to put their name forward.' Last year's winners included Triple M Goldfields' Abbey Cullen, who took home the young achiever award, John Paul College cultural captain Nikita Mereyato who won the cultural leader award, and Kalgoorlie PCYC which was named youth organisation of the year. This year's award winners will be announced on May 17, with recipients receiving a $500 cash prize. Nominations close at 5pm on April 28, and can be submitted at
