Latest news with #StaceyJones
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Laishon Albert-Jones blazes own NZ Warriors pathway despite royal lineage
Laishon Albert-Jones finally gets to play at Mt Smart. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Laishon Albert-Jones admits she has spent many of her formative years frequenting Mt Smart Stadium - now she finally gets to play there. Descended from NZ Warriors royalty - namely uncle Stacey Jones, a 261-game club legend - Albert-Jones, 27, is one of the most experienced members of the revived women's programme, which returns to NRLW competition on Saturday, after a four-year hiatus . In the meantime, she has pursued her own career across the Tasman with Newcastle Knights, helping them to a 2023 championship under new Warriors coach Ron Griffiths. "This is very exciting," Albert-Jones said. "It's definitely been a dream, since I was very young. "I've been around this club for a little while, but never thought I'd ever play for them. Now I get to play for them." Despite her familiarity with the Warriors, she is adamant she intends stamping her own mark on the club and does not feel the weight of expectation that comes with her family name. "Yeah, Stacey is my uncle and that, but I don't feel no pressure," she said. "I am me and get to play how I want to play, different positions and get to write my own story this time round. "We've always talked about footy quite a lot. I always say he doesn't help, but he does help, especially with game-specific stuff and general knowledge. "When I was in Newy, it was kind of hard, but now he's literally a couple of streets away from me." Ironically, their paths have rarely crossed lately, despite Jones' ongoing role as Warriors men's assistant, under coach Andrew Webster. "I actually haven't seen him in a little while, that's quite concerning," she said. "They're always away and we're always busy." Albert-Jones started out in the halves, before moving into the pack. Initially, she benefited from having 'The Little General' at her disposal. "I remember I was trying to learn how to be a better kicker," Albert-Jones recalled. "He used to tell me, 'Just go kick a tennis ball around off the top of your foot'. Laishon Albert-Jones won an NRLW premiership with Newcastle Knights. Photo: NRL Photos/ "Kinda worked actually - that's one tip I remember he's given me." Perhaps another inherited skill was her wily ability to bluff her way onto the field. Albert-Jones admits she was initially recruited by Griffiths for the Knights as a lock, where she will pack down against defending NRLW champions Sydney Roosters this week, but became frustrated at her lack of gametime. "I was getting over sitting on the bench for him, so I told our captain, 'Tell him to put me at [second] row, I can play [second] row'. I've never told him this, but that was the first time I'd played [second] row. "He called me and said, 'You know what you're doing, eh?' and I was, like, 'Yeah, 100 percent'. "It worked out and I stayed there, so lucky me, I guess." Only six others in the Warriors gameday squad have played NRLW before, so her teammates will draw heavily on Albert-Jones' experience at Newcastle, especially as they transition several from the 'other' rugby code, including sevens star Michaela Brake . "They've actually done an amazing job," she said. "I was a little sceptical about them all coming in, because there are quite a lot of them, but they're all top athletes that love playing sport. "Just anything competitive, they're good at." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bear spends day in tree near Markham Woods Middle School before heading into nearby woods
The Brief A bear has been perched in a tree near Markham Woods Middle School in Lake Mary since the morning, with local authorities monitoring the situation. Parents picking up students were surprised but largely unfazed, as bear sightings are common in the area. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been contacted to address the bear's presence. LAKE MARY, Fla. - A bear that spent the better part of Monday in a tree near a Seminole County middle school, came down after about nine hours and headed into some nearby woods. What we know A bear has been perched in a tree near Markham Woods Middle School in Lake Mary since the morning. The bear appeared restless as it shifted around in the tree. As of late afternoon, it remained in place, even as students were dismissed just after 4 p.m. Local law enforcement monitored the situation, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was contacted. A school employee was also seen keeping an eye on the bear's movements. The bear slowly climbed down the tree around 5:30 p.m. and headed into some nearby woods. What we don't know Authorities have not confirmed why the bear climbed the tree. It is unclear what steps FWC will take to handle the situation or if there have been any previous reports of this bear in the area. The backstory Lake Mary and surrounding areas are known for frequent bear sightings, as local wildlife often roams near residential neighborhoods. Residents are accustomed to encounters with bears, which typically do not pose a threat unless provoked. The presence of a bear near a school, however, has prompted closer monitoring. What they're saying Parents picking up their children reacted with a mix of surprise and familiarity. "I heard about it, I didn't know it was still there," said Kelly Mocorro, who was picking up her daughter. "That's crazy. I definitely didn't know it was right there." Stacey Jones, another parent, expressed little concern about the bear's presence. "We live around bears all the time. They don't seem to be real aggressive," Jones said. "If they stay in their lane, we stay in ours, and I think we can all cohabitate together." Big picture view Wildlife sightings near schools and populated areas highlight ongoing interactions between Florida's growing communities and its native animal populations. While bears are not uncommon in Lake Mary, their proximity to schools and public spaces raises concerns about safety and appropriate response measures. The involvement of local authorities and FWC indicates a coordinated effort to handle such incidents without harm to residents or wildlife. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Seminole County Schools, and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
