South Waikato’s big weekend of sport

The South Waikato is a super sporty place which makes the annual South Waikato Supersports a super popular event.

This year’s event, from Friday, February 24 until Sunday, February 26, is expected to be as popular as ever with sports ranging from target golf, archery and bowls to balls sports, sawing, and mountain biking.

Organiser Larry Sullivan said entries are already coming in fast so he advised people to get in quick if they wanted to take part.

‘‘It is a great weekend and one of the things that always stands out to me and what keeps people coming back is the camaraderie of the group,’’ he said.

‘‘At the end of Sunday they are just one big tight, tight family, it is really really cool.’’

Sullivan said the event, which incorporates 20 sporting disciplines, is open to anyone over the age of 16 and competitors compete in teams of two.

‘‘Historically it has been a real family event and often partners, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, cousins and uncles team up together,’’ he said.

‘‘There are all sorts of combinations and competitors can enter the male, female, mixed, or the veteran division.’’

He said usually around 50 teams take part but they could stretch to 60 if they needed to.

‘‘It is a bit of a logistic exercise to even organiser trying to get 100 people through all those events but we always seem to make it work and there is a large number of volunteers who help,’’ he said.

Sullivan said the aim of the event is to raise money for local athletes who are making their mark nationally.

‘‘The guts behind it is that it is a fundraiser and the South Waikato Supersports Trust grants money to those who make national teams to help them on their way,’’ he said.

‘‘If you make the New Zealand Badminton Team for example you would get your selection along with an invoice for travel, a tracksuit and accommodation so we help that.’’

‘‘Cyclist Jim Mcmurray and equestrian Sarah Young are two who have benefited from it in the past so it is a purely local fundraiser for local people and there is a real need for it,’’ he said.

Entry is $180 and forms are available from Morrissey’s, Tokoroa Hunting and Fishing, South Waikato Cycles, and online at supersports.org.nz until Friday, February 17.