Latest news with #TimO'Connor
1News
2 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
Auckland Grammar principal calls out Sport NZ over 'Year 14' athletes
Auckland Grammar principal Tim O'Connor has challenged Sport NZ to take a stand on extra-year students returning to schools on sporting grounds. The issue of "Year 14" athletes has raised its head again, with Marlborough Boys' College admitting it had five such players in its First XV, which scored a historic – and controversial – win over Nelson College last month. That 28-26 result came after Marlborough were awarded a first-half penalty and, instead of aiming for the posts, the goalkicker struck for the corner, where one of his teammates chased it down for a try that was eventually awarded. O'Connor told RNZ that bringing students back for an extra year for sporting purposes was a distortion of their roles as educators and openly wondered where the national sporting administrators were in this debate. "Really, our role as principals and our role as schools is to educate young people," he said. "Sport NZ talks about balance is better, but where are they in this discussion? ADVERTISEMENT "They haven't come out to say, 'why are we allowing this to occur'? "I'd love to see them being more proactive and having the courage to speak up on this. "Perhaps there are organisations that want to turn a blind eye to what is the pathway for young men and rugby in this country frankly. We need to get beyond that." RNZ has approached Sport NZ for reaction to O'Connor's comments. Auckland's 1A competition has put is members on notice that Year 14 players will not be permitted from next season. O'Connor admits two of the 12 teams currently have two such players each on their rosters. "We discussed that at the beginning of the year and felt the fair thing to do was give everyone 12 months' notice, and then we wouldn't be allowing that to occur again." Earlier this year, the issue led to a ban on extra-year rowers at the prestigious Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro. ADVERTISEMENT School Sport NZ is now considering a total ban on the Year 14 athletes. "There is no doubt there is a distinct advantage – muscle co-ordination and technical ability – in a sixth-year student," O'Connor said. "They're taking away positions from students who are coming through their natural schooling years. "For example, Rieko Ioane could have returned – we could have encouraged him to return, because he would have met all the other criteria, and he could have returned to play rugby for another year, which would have been a huge advantage to our school. "Our view was Rieko should actually carry on with his life and move to the next stage, and we'd fully support him in doing so." Now an 81-test All Black, Ioane debuted for Auckland and the NZ sevens team the year after leaving Auckland Grammar, and made his test debut aged 19. O'Connor insisted his school would not take the field against Marlborough with their Year 14 players. "I don't know why there would be a reason to play them," he told RNZ. "I'd rather play in a competition where we know there is a level playing field and we're treating each other with respect. "In the 1A competition, mid-season, we have about six teams who could still win it – that's a great competition, that keeps it alive across multiple schools."
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BHP to invest $25m in Cobre's Kitlanya projects in Botswana
BHP has entered into an earn-in agreement with Cobre to invest up to $25m (A$39.6m) in exploring copper-silver deposits at the Kitlanya projects in Botswana. This investment focuses on Cobre's Kitlanya East and Kitlanya West copper projects on the Kalahari Copper Belt's basin margins. The agreement follows Cobre's participation in the 2024 BHP Xplor programme, which funded a seismic survey at Kitlanya West. Under the agreement, BHP will provide a minimum of $5m within two years, with a planned budget of $7m for exploration at the Kitlanya projects, starting in April 2025. The exploration will include deep diamond drilling and 2D seismic surveys to evaluate the mineral system for Tier 1 copper deposits. Drilling mobilisation is set for April 2025, targeting areas identified in the 2024 seismic programme. BHP will also have an option to earn a 75% interest in the Kitlanya projects by investing $25m, including the initial $5m. Cobre Botswana will serve as the operator during the earn-in phase, receiving an annual management fee of at least $250,000. The agreement excludes Cobre's Ngami and Okavango copper projects, which Cobre will continue to develop independently. Cobre CEO Adam Wooldridge said: 'This significant transaction with BHP is a major moment in time for Cobre as a company as well as a testament to the success of BHP's Xplor programme. 'The partnership with BHP will provide us with the funding and support necessary to implement a technology-driven work programme designed to discover the Tier 1 deposits we believe may be hosted in our Kitlanya East and West projects. Independently, Cobre will continue advancing its Ngami and Okavango copper projects. 'This combined strategy provides exposure to potential Tier 1 discoveries, a development opportunity at Ngami and short-term discoveries on our Okavango project.' Upon forming a 75:25 joint venture (JV), BHP may offer Cobre a loan for its share of JV expenses until the final investment decision. The JV is also subject to an agreement which specifies that, should a participant's share in the venture decrease to less than 10%, the other participant will have the right to buy that party's interest at its fair market value. An additional $10m is payable to Cobre if a JORC-compliant mineral resource is declared at the Kitlanya Projects. If the agreement ends during the earn-in phase, with BHP funding at least $20m, BHP will receive a 2% net smelter royalty on the Kitlanya Projects. Cobre can buy back 50% of this royalty under specific conditions. BHP Group exploration officer Tim O'Connor said: 'We are thrilled to continue our partnership with one of the BHP Xplor alumni, Cobre Limited, through this agreement. This collaboration reflects our excitement for the exploration potential in Botswana and underscores the high standard of partnerships we see coming out of the BHP Xplor programme. 'The Kitlanya projects in Botswana represent an exciting opportunity to uncover Tier 1 copper-silver deposits, and we are pleased to contribute our expertise and resources to this venture.' "BHP to invest $25m in Cobre's Kitlanya projects in Botswana" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
