Latest news with #VentureTimaru
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
City to host future NZ hockey stars
New Zealand's future hockey stars are set to descend on Timaru as the city prepares to host the Vantage National Under-18 Men's Tournament for the first time. Held across both turfs at the Trust Aoraki Hockey Centre, the tournament is the third highest level hockey tournament in the country and will feature 21 of the best men's under-18 teams from around the country. Hockey South Canterbury president Pete Stayt said it was a privilege to have been selected to host the prestigious tournament. "Late every year Hockey New Zealand put out expressions of interest for tournaments and there is a qualifying level, what you need to have to host it. "It's really challenging to get and a big reason we got the tournament was down to getting the second turf installed. We wouldn't have qualified without it. "Everyone wants this tournament because the under-18's are the bright lights, these are the future Black Sticks. This tournament is the first formal opportunity, they call it, for recognition and identification." He said hosting the tournament proved the strength of the sport in the region. "The association has hosted tournaments in the past like the Hatch Cup and other underage events but this is a big, big thing and it's a reflection of how the national hockey community sees South Canterbury, both from a performance view but also a governance view. "You layer that on top of our success in inter-school and hockey in general, and it's a really exciting time [for hockey in South Canterbury]." The tournament would not only be big for the sport in the region but for the local economy, Mr Stayt said. "Using Venture Timaru data, it will bring over a million dollars of outside cash into South Canterbury in a week. "The idea is to make sure the people coming here really get a taste of South Canterbury and enjoy it. We've encouraged people to travel to the likes of Lake Tekapo when the teams have a day off and let them know for example that there is a pretty good pie shop on the way. "We're trying to make it as much of an event as we can and promote the region, they all get an information sheet about what is around." He said South Canterbury could very much be in with a chance for a top finish. "In the last few years we've been rated well and truly in the top 10, last year we finished 11th but on the day the team could beat anyone. With tournament play it's a matter of stringing wins together. "You've got the big associations like Canterbury, North Harbour and Auckland but we'll be competitive against their top teams. With everything going right and with knockout matches, you can fight your way through, and that's the great thing about tournaments. "There'll be some close games and a lot of excitement, so we really want to encourage people to come and watch, because these are the stars of the future." He said a lot of community support went into making the tournament happen. "Trust Aoraki has been a phenomenal sponsor of hockey and they've directly helped with the organisation costs and we've got Portacom Building Solutions as an additional tournament supporter. "Others like Fulton Hogan, Hilton Haulage, U-Bake, Bullock Bar, Saikou, Timaru Fencing, Beaconsfield School and Hadlee & Brunton also pitched in. There is a real community behind it." South Canterbury have been placed in Pool D, alongside Hawke's Bay and Auckland (White). Their first game will take place on the new alps turf at 10am against Hawke's Bay on Sunday June 29. All games are free to attend and the tournament draw will be uploaded on to the Hockey South Canterbury Facebook page.
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Students shown area's opportunities
This year's South Canterbury Year 11 Pathways Expo was held at the Southern Trust Events Centre, attended by over 750 students from across the region. PHOTO: SUPPLIED More than 750 students attended the 2025 South Canterbury Year 11 Pathways Expo at the Southern Trust Events Centre this month. The annual career expo connected youth with local career options. The event offered year 11 students, from across the region, the chance to engage directly with more than 30 local businesses and training providers. Venture Timaru vocational co-ordinator Liam Brown said the event was structured around a mix of fast-paced speed networking sessions and a traditional expo format, allowing students to have meaningful, small-group conversations with industry professionals. The expo featured a lineup of six guest speakers, who shared their personal career journeys — offering real-world inspiration and advice. Mr Brown said the opening speaker Mayor Nigel Bowen "set the scene for the day" talking about the importance of using initiative, encouraging young people to approach businesses, seek shadowing opportunities and gain insight. "He highlighted the region's strong network of supportive businesses committed to fostering youth participation in the workforce." Mr Brown said feedback from businesses on the day was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the engagement of the students and the value of the mixed format allowing direct connection. Mr Brown put down the enthusiasm of the attending business and their staff and the work career advisers do in prepping their students prior to the event. The expo was run in collaboration with by the My Next Move youth initiative, the local Careers and Transition Education group, and funded by Venture Timaru. He said the expo had become a cornerstone event for helping students explore vocational pathways and better understand the opportunities available within their own community. "With subject choices and career decisions looming, it's critical that young people engage with the world of work early, learning not just what jobs exist, but also what skills, qualifications and mindsets are needed to succeed. "Events like the Pathways Expo give year 11 students the chance to gain this insight first hand, allowing time to reflect on their options and make more informed decisions when it comes time to leave secondary school," he said. — APL
