Everything is net
The pleas of a cricket-crazed teenager have netted new equipment for his school.
Eighteen-year-old Siupeli Aho was the catalyst for the popularity of cricket at St Paul's College, in Ponsonby, sport director Dave McDermott said.
The Te Atatu Peninsula teenager inspired the college to get cricket nets for the first time, McDermott said.
Members of the Black Caps are coming to play cricket against the students on November 12, and the $70,000 nets will be officially opened the next day.
A generous Old Boys community, the Queen St Cricket Club and the New Zealand Community Trust donated funds to pay for the three full length cricket nets, which will neighbour the school basketball court.
Aho, a year 13 prefect and a first 11 captain, helped kickstart the project.
"He's a very passionate cricket boy always in my ear about getting more equipment," McDermott said.
"From year nine, he's been walking around with a cricket bat in his hand all winter. He lives in those nets."
New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash, whose son Solomon attends St Paul's, is Aho's bowling coach.
"Siupeli is a fast bowler now," McDermott said. "I definitely wouldn't want to face him."
The sport director said there's a shortage of nets in central Auckland and the world class equipment will help the school continue growing the sport.
Traditionally known for its rugby league prowess, St Paul's College started to play cricket competitively in 2016.
The team won two of their three games, one against Macleans College and the other Mt Roskill Grammar School.
Mr Dermott said the competitive approach to cricket came about purely from the boys themselves.
"I think the team has really driven itself. They collected all their own fees. We set them a goal for fundraising, how much it would be to get new uniforms and they went out and collected it amongst themselves."
Since then he's seen the demand for cricket snowball.
Siupeli Aho of Te Atatu Peninsula (pictured) at his favourite stomping ground, St Paul's College sports field.
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
-
91.5% Yes
-
8.1% No
-
0.4% Other - I'll share below!
When you have been looking forward to retirement...
You know when you have been looking forward to retirement for years? Dreaming of all that free time, you will have?
Then you retire, take up bowling (among other things), only to find every time you play bowls, your back hurts, your tired- you'd hoped it would be better than this!
What I do as an Acupuncturist, is help scale that pain right back, yip dial it right down. And it will help you feel 10 years younger too! So you can play bowls pain free!
In fact recently in my clinic Ive been treating David, from Massey, hes 76 years old, but young at heart 😉. He's worked physically his entire life, on the railways, as a builder for decades, then a truck driver! He doesn't want his body letting him down now!
Since his first 2 ACC treatments he's back playing bowls with 70% less pain AND more movement - hes not 100% pain free yet!
But hes booked for his third session next week! He's committed. He's feeling great and he's going to make Acupuncture a regular thing! Even after his 12 ACC sessions expire!
If you know any David's, it's my great pleasure to help!
Get them to book in with me.
Did you know? - Pensioners in my Clinic get a $10 discount for both ACC and Private Acupuncture?
Live The Life You Want! Acupuncture!
Loading…
