Black Stick player visits Kura
A school that adores hockey got a visit from a very special guest on Tuesday.
Black Sticks’ striker Kelsey Smith called into Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whakawera on Tuesday, where 90 per cent of pupils play hockey.
The 22-year-old returned from the Rio Olympics recently, following her selection for the professional women’s side in January.
Smith said she had not visited an immersive school like Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whakawera before, where only Maori is spoken.
‘‘Everyone is very nice and it’s got a real family atmosphere, which is quite cool,’’ she said.
‘‘I just love how this school is really into hockey.’’
Smith spoke to the school about how when she was playing hockey in Nelson, where she grew up, she wasn’t familiar with winning.
However, she learned to use each defeat as motivation to play better.
‘‘You have disappointments at times, but you get there. I just try as hard as I can,’’ she said.
‘‘Setbacks and things that hold you back – you’ve just got to push through them and use them to fuel you.’’
The school’s teams have had a successful season, with Team Taonga winning the Year 2, 3 and 4 grade competition, Team Kakano winning the Year 5 and 6 grade, and Team Mapihi winning the Year 7 and 8 grade.
Principal Colleen Morehu said competitive attitudes were contagious.
‘‘Even the ones that are new are playing well because the wairua [attitude] of more experienced players spreads.’’
Following the successful season, three girls and three boys from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whakawera have been selected for Bay of Plenty Under 13 representative teams.
Coach Henare Pitiroi said he felt Smith’s fighting message had come at the right time.
‘‘The teams have been winning for a long time. Now some of them are playing in Bay of Plenty teams, experiencing some losses, and getting down.
‘‘Her message will help them cope with the other side of playing – losing – which is probably the bigger skill to learn.’’
Following a month break after the Olympics, Smith said she looked forward to playing with her team again.
‘‘I wasn’t playing hockey to get to Rio. I just wanted to play.’’ The local Hospice helps out many in Taupo’s community and because of that, one group is raising funds to help out.
Taupo Cosmopolitan Old School Boys Cricket Club takes pride in helping others and giving back to their local community.
Just two years ago, they raised $5000 for a cure for cancer bike ride. This year, they hope to double that effort.
‘‘This year, we would like to support another wonderful cause, which is currently close to home for a lot of us at our club,’’ committee member, Julie O’Connor said. ‘‘[That’s] the Taupo Hospice.’’ To raise funds for the Taupo Hospice, the Old Boys Cricket Club are hosting a Quiz and Auction night next Friday.
It will be held at the Cosmopolitan Club from 7pm. The cost is $150 for a table up to six people and includes nibbles.
A huge range of auctions are also up for grabs, including two weeks at an affiliated Resort in New Zealand, Australia or Pacific Islands, a set of golf clubs, summer concert tickets, a skydive from Tandem Skydive, an Extreme Bungy package, a hamper from The Merchant, vouchers from The Bistro, Plateau and Replete plus loads more.
The Quiz night will also serve as a way to meet the Old Boys Cricket players, who will be defending their title at the Rotorua/Taupo Cricket tournament this year.
To book a table for the quiz contact O’Connor on 027 5066 319.