Vodafone Warriors NRL, NYC and development players face an intensive schedule of preseason trial matches from this weekend on.
In the space of 16 days, the NRL squad will line up three times against NRL opposition, starting with next Thursday night’s (February 12) match-up with beaten 2008 grand finalist Melbourne in Hamilton.
It will be the first time the club’s top side has appeared at Waikato Stadium since back-to-back “away” games there against Parramatta in 2005 and 2006.
On February 22, the NRL side will be on show again for a trial against North Queensland at North Harbour Stadium before backing up with a final build-up match against Gold Coast in Lismore on February 28.
The schedule will allow coach Ivan Cleary to have a look at the club’s new signings including ex-Brisbane winger Denan Kemp, Cowboys second rower Jacob Lillyman and Broncos standoff/centre Joel Moon as well as former Melbourne halfback Liam Foran and returning club legend Stacey Jones.
The club’s 2009 NRL programme starts against Parramatta at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, March 14, an occasion which could be highlighted by a 300-100 double – captain Steve Price’s 300th first-grade match and the 100th career game for World Cup-winning Kiwi prop Evarn Tuimavave.
The Tony Iro-coached Vodafone Junior Warriors also open their trials campaign in Hamilton next Thursday when they face a Waikato Invitation side.
Iro will use NYC squad players not involved in that match in another trial against Hawkes Bay in Napier on February 14. The next major NYC preseason match will be against the Auckland Vulcans at North Harbour Stadium on February 22, a clash which will also serve as a trial for the Vulcans as they eye the New South Wales Cup season.
The Vodafone Junior Warriors will then line up in Lismore on February 28, facing the Titans’ NYC side.
Threaded around the club’s NRL and NYC trials will be a series of games for the Vodafone Warriors’ development squad.
The full programme (subject to change) is:
Saturday, February 7 - Kaitaia
Warriors Development v Northland (5.00pm kick-off)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – WAIKATO STADIUM, HAMILTON
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Waikato Invitation XIII (5.30pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v Melbourne Storm (7.30pm kick-off)
Saturday, February 14 – Tremain Field, Napier
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Hawkes Bay (2.00pm kick-off)
Sunday, February 15 – Murray Halberg Park, Mt Albert
Warriors Development v Marist (2.30pm kick-off)
Saturday, February 21 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Welltec (2.30pm kick-off)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 – NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, ALBANY
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Auckland Vulcans (2.15pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys (4.00pm kick-off)
Saturday, February 28 – Venue TBC
Vodafone Warriors Selection (NRL/NYC players not travelling to Gold Coast) v Auckland Vulcans (kick-off TBC)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – OAKES OVAL, LISMORE
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Gold Coast Titans (3.50pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v Gold Coast Titans (7.30pm kick-off)
Sunday, March 1 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Mt Albert (2.30pm kick-off)
Wednesday, March 4 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v New Zealand Rugby League Academy (5.00pm kick-off)
Saturday, March 7 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Richmond (2.30pm kick-off)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Cricket : Blackcap Young gun signs with Skins
Last year’s ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup player of the tournament, and exciting new Black Cat Tim Southee, has signed with leading compression garment company Skins.
The Northern Knights bowler emerged as an exciting prospect during the Blackcaps Test series against England in 2008, with an impressive debut in Napier, taking five wickets before a record-breaking, tail-end half-century.
The right-armer had already made his name in international circles with a player of the tournament display in last year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. His rise continued during the successful ODI series in England, earning player-of-the-series honours.
This summer Southee has once again been picked for both the 20/20 and One Day side for the recent West Indies series and is presently in Australia with the Blackcaps for the Chappell/Hadlee series which New Zealand lead one nil. .
“It is fantastic to have a cricket player of Tim’s potential working with our product range,” Brandex Adventure Sports, which imports Skins, Outdoor Director David Watt said.
“We work hard on aligning ourselves with athletes that represent the values of our brand, and Tim is a hard worker who is only just starting to see the results of the efforts he is putting into his game.”
Southee said he was “stoked” to be working with Skins and thinks the range of Skins garments will help him perform better and recovery faster, adding a real edge to his game and performance
The Northern Knights bowler emerged as an exciting prospect during the Blackcaps Test series against England in 2008, with an impressive debut in Napier, taking five wickets before a record-breaking, tail-end half-century.
The right-armer had already made his name in international circles with a player of the tournament display in last year’s ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. His rise continued during the successful ODI series in England, earning player-of-the-series honours.
This summer Southee has once again been picked for both the 20/20 and One Day side for the recent West Indies series and is presently in Australia with the Blackcaps for the Chappell/Hadlee series which New Zealand lead one nil. .
“It is fantastic to have a cricket player of Tim’s potential working with our product range,” Brandex Adventure Sports, which imports Skins, Outdoor Director David Watt said.
“We work hard on aligning ourselves with athletes that represent the values of our brand, and Tim is a hard worker who is only just starting to see the results of the efforts he is putting into his game.”
Southee said he was “stoked” to be working with Skins and thinks the range of Skins garments will help him perform better and recovery faster, adding a real edge to his game and performance
boating : COASTGUARD SUPPORTS EARTHRACE NZ TOUR
Coastguard professional volunteers will be supporting Earthrace as the vessel embarks on a promotional tour bringing the record-breaking endurance powerboat to 60 destinations around the country.
The tour which begins on Saturday 7 February, invites New Zealanders to meet the Earthrace team, learn more about the vessel, the voyages, and the biofuels that powered the vessel to its successful circle of the globe.
The crew will also speak about their off-shore experiences on the powerboat and the importance of boating safety, especially in open-water.
Earthrace Skipper Pete Bethune says “We’ve pleased to be partnering with Coastguard and visiting communities where local Coastguard Units do an excellent job educating people to be safe out on the water.
“I’ve done a number of Coastguard Boating Education courses myself and can’t stress the value of operator knowledge regardless of the size of the boat or the voyage, says Bethune.”
Coastguard CEO Bruce Reid says “We’re delighted to be hosting Earthrace at Coastguard units around the country – the tour is an opportunity for Kiwis to meet the exceptional crew and step aboard a piece a cutting-edge boating technology. The Earthrace team is supporting Coastguard with fundraising opportunities at many of the Coastguard locations.
To find out more about Earthrace and when the tour is coming to a community near you, visit the Earthrace website: www.earthrace.net
Cricket : 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup countdown begins
With just under 11 months to go before the kick-off of the 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup, the New Zealand Deaf Cricket Association (NZDCA) has announced two further training camps for team selection. These are in addition to three recent matches held at Takapuna, and also with an upcoming regional match at Blenheim.
The 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup will be staged over two weeks beginning December 28, 2009 at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park, and involves host country New Zealand competing against Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Bangladesh and current deaf cricket world champions, India. There may possibly be other entrants.
There will be two training camps staged from which the New Zealand squad will be selected in October, NZDCA Secretary, Mr Mike Coronno stated. The dates are as follows;
Wellington: Sat May 30th – Mon June 1st 2009
Auckland: Sat Oct 24th - Mon Oct 26th 2009
Participants are required to have a qualifying total hearing loss of 50 decibels in both ears, and be a qualifying playing member of a cricket club affiliated to NZ Cricket.
“Having the opportunity to play international cricket on your home turf is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Mr Coronno said, “especially against countries such as England and Australia who have players that have county and State representative players, respectively.”
The New Zealand Men’s deaf cricket team has participated in two previous deaf cricket World Cups, including the initial 1995 Melbourne tournament to the most recent 2005 competition held in Lucknow, India. In between these was the aborted tournament in South Africa, 2000.
For any prospective deaf or hearing-impaired cricketers who wish to find out more about NZ Deaf Cricket, or be a part of the 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup setup, please contact:
Mike Coronno, Secretary, New Zealand Deaf Cricket Association
mob: 0274 500 756 / email: nzdeafcricketassoc@xtra.co.nz
The 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup will be staged over two weeks beginning December 28, 2009 at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park, and involves host country New Zealand competing against Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Bangladesh and current deaf cricket world champions, India. There may possibly be other entrants.
There will be two training camps staged from which the New Zealand squad will be selected in October, NZDCA Secretary, Mr Mike Coronno stated. The dates are as follows;
Wellington: Sat May 30th – Mon June 1st 2009
Auckland: Sat Oct 24th - Mon Oct 26th 2009
Participants are required to have a qualifying total hearing loss of 50 decibels in both ears, and be a qualifying playing member of a cricket club affiliated to NZ Cricket.
“Having the opportunity to play international cricket on your home turf is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Mr Coronno said, “especially against countries such as England and Australia who have players that have county and State representative players, respectively.”
The New Zealand Men’s deaf cricket team has participated in two previous deaf cricket World Cups, including the initial 1995 Melbourne tournament to the most recent 2005 competition held in Lucknow, India. In between these was the aborted tournament in South Africa, 2000.
For any prospective deaf or hearing-impaired cricketers who wish to find out more about NZ Deaf Cricket, or be a part of the 2009 Deaf Cricket World Cup setup, please contact:
Mike Coronno, Secretary, New Zealand Deaf Cricket Association
mob: 0274 500 756 / email: nzdeafcricketassoc@xtra.co.nz
Netball : SILVER FERNS TO TAKE PART IN WORLD NETBALL SERIES
In October 2009, The Silver Ferns will be heading to Manchester to compete in the inaugural World Netball Series, a competition that promises fast, exhilarating, skilful Netball and new rules that will add a twist to the way Netball is currently played.
The World Netball Series will take place at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England from the 9th - 11th October following extensive trials and consultation between IFNA and member countries.
The series will involve the world’s top six netball nations Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi. Innovative rule changes include rolling substitutions, shooting from outside the goal circle and power plays. The new format will test the fitness, technical ability and tactical awareness of the best players in the world.
The new rules and format were successfully trialed by England Netball using their senior and junior squads (see Rule Explanations in Notes to Editor below).
Teams will play more than once a day and each game will played over four 6 minute quarters adding to what promises to be a high energy and awesome spectacle.
Raelene Castle, Netball New Zealand Chief Executive said she was excited about what the new competition could bring to the ever-increasing profile of Netball internationally.
“This is a new opportunity for Netball to grow the game further,” she said, “The Silver Ferns are a skilled and professional team and will be able to successfully adapt to the rule changes presented to them. They will thrive from the challenge.”
Molly Rhone, IFNA President, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to further showcase our sport to the world and we are eagerly looking forward to October when we welcome the top six teams to Manchester. It is a moment in history for us, as it is the first time the best teams from all around the globe will gather to compete in a new faster format of netball.”
See Notes below for proposed rule changes.
Rules
• Matches will be 4 x 6 minutes with 3 x 2 minutes breaks.
• 7 players on court, 5 on the bench
• Rolling Substitutions i.e. no stoppages; Unlimited number of substitutions per team per quarter. There will be a designated box at each transverse line, opposite the Official Bench where players shall wait holding up the position of the player to be substituted. Players from either team may wait in either box.
• After a goal is scored, the game restarts from the centre in favour of the team conceding.
• There will be alternative centre passes at the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter.
• There is no whistle after a goal is scored.
• Coaches will be allowed to coach from the sideline, only in front of their bench. The area will be marked out. The third umpire will monitor.
• Each team will elect one quarter as a Power Play when any goals they score will be doubled.
• Shooters may shoot from outside of the circle, all successful goals will be worth double i.e. 2 goals. In a power play this could escalate to 4 goals.
• The umpire will signal by raising one hand for one goal and two hands for two goals.
* Please be aware that the wording of these rules are subject to change when the
Formal Rules for the World Netball Series are created.
The World Netball Series will take place at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England from the 9th - 11th October following extensive trials and consultation between IFNA and member countries.
The series will involve the world’s top six netball nations Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi. Innovative rule changes include rolling substitutions, shooting from outside the goal circle and power plays. The new format will test the fitness, technical ability and tactical awareness of the best players in the world.
The new rules and format were successfully trialed by England Netball using their senior and junior squads (see Rule Explanations in Notes to Editor below).
Teams will play more than once a day and each game will played over four 6 minute quarters adding to what promises to be a high energy and awesome spectacle.
Raelene Castle, Netball New Zealand Chief Executive said she was excited about what the new competition could bring to the ever-increasing profile of Netball internationally.
“This is a new opportunity for Netball to grow the game further,” she said, “The Silver Ferns are a skilled and professional team and will be able to successfully adapt to the rule changes presented to them. They will thrive from the challenge.”
Molly Rhone, IFNA President, said “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to further showcase our sport to the world and we are eagerly looking forward to October when we welcome the top six teams to Manchester. It is a moment in history for us, as it is the first time the best teams from all around the globe will gather to compete in a new faster format of netball.”
See Notes below for proposed rule changes.
Rules
• Matches will be 4 x 6 minutes with 3 x 2 minutes breaks.
• 7 players on court, 5 on the bench
• Rolling Substitutions i.e. no stoppages; Unlimited number of substitutions per team per quarter. There will be a designated box at each transverse line, opposite the Official Bench where players shall wait holding up the position of the player to be substituted. Players from either team may wait in either box.
• After a goal is scored, the game restarts from the centre in favour of the team conceding.
• There will be alternative centre passes at the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter.
• There is no whistle after a goal is scored.
• Coaches will be allowed to coach from the sideline, only in front of their bench. The area will be marked out. The third umpire will monitor.
• Each team will elect one quarter as a Power Play when any goals they score will be doubled.
• Shooters may shoot from outside of the circle, all successful goals will be worth double i.e. 2 goals. In a power play this could escalate to 4 goals.
• The umpire will signal by raising one hand for one goal and two hands for two goals.
* Please be aware that the wording of these rules are subject to change when the
Formal Rules for the World Netball Series are created.
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