Crispian Stewart: If you want to get fit, here’s a great (free) place to start

Hakinakina Community News is a weekly update on sports and athletes from our own local community.

OPINION:

From our athletic office, the “Jogging the Powerpoles” summer programs are open for registration.

The “JTP” is a free community fitness group that provides training for walking, running, swimming and biking.

It was established in 2014 and caters to those who may not be able to afford sports and fitness.

Kerris Browne trains on foot, by foot and by road bike; Maxine Parker is the swim coach, while Doris Bragg helps the freestyle walkers.

They have 1,500 members and often run groups of 80-100 athletes at a time during sessions.

For those who are transitioning between walking and jogging, their “woggers” program begins on October 5. Beginner swimmers and cyclists start on November 7.

“Never fall behind, no matter how slow” is a quote on their website that resonates with and reflects the values ​​that guide who they are.

What an amazing community program. For more information you can visit sporty.co.nz/joggingthepowerpoles

Bay of Plenty Rugby have just named their women’s Under-16 squads for this season.

Eleven girls from Rotorua, representing four Rotorua secondary schools, have been recognised.

They include Dani Irihei, Dylan Guptill, Hariru Smith, Kaiarihu Puku, MacKenzie Anderson-Tito and Sophie Dowd who were named in the BOP U16 Girls, while Chantelle Lawson, Manawa Gates, Maraea Makiha, Skyla Henare-Wynyard and Summer Steele were named. named in the BOP U16 Girls WASPS.

There has been an exciting announcement of Raukura with the role of director of cricket announced.

This role will oversee the newly created Cricket Academy which operates from the school to attract and offer aspiring cricketers the opportunity to develop their game alongside the completion of their academic studies.

This will have a huge impact on the youth game at Raukura and within our cricket landscape across the city.

The school has a proud cricketing history and we hope that the next generation of Rotorua cricketers will carry on this legacy.

In more local cricket news, Northern Districts Cricket have just named their senior men’s Maori team to take on Auckland in a two-match series at Blake Park over Labor weekend.

John Paul College student and Geyser Cricket Club player Cohen Stewart* is the only Rotorua representative named in the squad.

At 17, he is also the youngest and is very excited to represent Māori from the northern districts and in particular his whakapapa, Ngāi Tahu.

*Cohen is the author’s son

– Crispian Stewart is a sports enthusiast from Rotorua