Close to 40 students from Hikutaia and Miller Avenue schools were “very chuffed” after becoming hockey, tennis and draughts champions at this year’s Totara Springs Sports Camp near Matamata.
The annual event, which took place between August 29 and September 2, attracted ten teams from rural schools in the upper North Island.
Hikutaia School teacher Olivia Robinson, who attended the camp, told The Profile the students, who were in years seven to eight, were “very chuffed” with their winning results.
“You can go to camps thinking you’re dominating a sport and usually you come away with trophies you kind of unexpected,” she said.
“They were very chuffed and for some of the year sevens who were involved in the camp it’s about seeing what it’s all about and giving them the opportunity next year to step up and take on some of the leadership roles within the team.
“We also know that it enriches the students’ relationships between Miller Avenue and Hikutaia as they move closer to college.”
Olivia said the students also took part in chant and cheer routines which encouraged team spirit and sportsmanship.
“There’s awards they give out for sportsmanship and every sport that’s competed in is a team effort and even when you do things like athletics they accumulate points over the whole team,” she said.
Olivia said the event was also “very full on” with some sports still taking place at 9pm. “They come away very tired and exhausted from pushing their bodies each day, but at the end they come away with some very cool memories.”
The winning hockey team. TOP: Students from Miller Ave and Hikutaia schools competed at Totara Springs. Photo: SUPPLIED
