with Mark McCarthny
When it comes to sport, Mark McCarthny, our new columnist, is a genuine all-rounder. Mark is a physical education teacher. Mark is a physical education teacher. He has also worked in a gym, was involved with Silverdale Rugby Club and has been active in surf lifesaving since 1972.
2012
Recently I have watched a lot of the local sport that is on around the Coast. There is nothing like watching sport live to really experience the fun, the passion, the drama and the sheer enjoyment people get from being out there competing. While the weather is quite benign, I urge you to get off the couch and have a look at what goes on in our local clubs.
As I write this I look out the window at a cloudless, blue sky (I know it’s a rarity this summer), yet we have already watched the beginning of the Super 15 rugby and NRL rugby league competitions. I am eagerly looking forward to the surf Life Saving National championships in Gisborne, yet have managed to be glued to the TV to catch our winter sport favourites.
After the excitement of last year’s Rugby World Cup, it is hard to think that anything can top the way that event brought the country together. However, there is plenty of sport to look forward to this year, but the big event will surely be the summer Olympics in London. For two weeks beginning in late July, we will revel in the exploits of our top athletes as they strive for that elusive Olympic medal.
2011
Like many of you I am thoroughly enjoying the onset of warmer weather. It is great to see the summer sports taking place in the parks and the many people out enjoying our lovely environment.
I have absolutely loved this Rugby World Cup and it has reinforced for me all the great things that we get from involvement in sport. Passion for the game, or for a particular team, is always a quality of a true sport lover, and we have seen this exhibited a-plenty in this tournament. The support from the Kiwis in general has made this rugby showcase a huge success.
It has certainly been a great season for Silverdale United Rugby Football Club. After great excitement about making the final, the Premier team suffered a heart-breaking one point loss. The club’s second team, the Senior Firsts, capped a powerful year with a win in the final that was played as a curtain-raiser to the Premiers.
It has been interesting following some of the controversy surrounding our local All Black, Luke McAllister from Stanmore Bay. Luke has trained hard all through his teenage and adult years and has managed to achieve many boys’ dream of becoming a professional athlete and competing at the very highest level.
The monster standing behind you is the approaching Rugby World Cup. It is time to embrace the World Cup and look to make the most of the time when it arrives. Be smart and plan where you will be and how you will be part of this great occasion. Whether you like Rugby Union or not, don’t delude yourself; this is a genuine world event, and it may be a long time before New Zealand hosts anything of this size again. So put away any negativity, get involved and make sure you enjoy ‘the party’.
Parents can play a big part in their children’s enjoyment and success in sport. Prepare yourself for years of driving to trainings and games, but also see the great things it does for your child’s development, both physically and as a person; and eventually as a valuable member of our society.
It is always great to see local sportspeople selected to represent NZ. There are many examples, including six locals who have been chosen to compete in Europe, as part of Canoe Racing NZ teams. It is also interesting that all six have come through the ranks at the local surf lifesaving clubs, right through from Nippers to senior level.
The recent Christchurch earthquake sparked an interesting debate as to how much we value sport. The most obvious example regarded the playing of the Crusaders rugby game. Some wondered how we can even talk about playing ‘a game’ straight after such a disaster. The other strongly held view was that the games needed to go ahead as sport is a way for people to relax and take their mind off the problem.
Even though we seem to be having a long summer, if you play a winter sport you should now be considering your pre-season fitness training. Naturally, you followed a good off-season programme and worked on general fitness, didn’t you? Well, now it is time to get more specific and turn your training towards your sporting needs during the winter season.
Ask anyone who has been on the committee of a local club and they will agree that the bulk of the time at meetings is spent trying to work out ways to afford the things they need. Subscriptions help, and various fundraising schemes usually occupy a whole separate committee. However, sponsorship is always seen as a way to access valuable funds.
2010
The Commonwealth Games again proved to me why so many of us love sport. It was full of drama, emotion, intense desire and dreams realised or dashed. The other great aspect for New Zealand was that the Games contain a couple of extra sports that are dear to us with the bowls, the rugby 7s and the netball.
As the year ends we see young athletes acknowledged for their efforts, and remember their names with the hope we will be able to follow their progress in the future. Sport is increasingly becoming a realistic career path for many of our youngsters, with professional sport, SPARC funding, or scholarship opportunities to American Universities.
