Wairarapa Wrap-Up June 2023
26 June 2023
Written by Chloe Frederiksen, Partnership Manager Wairarapa, Nuku Ora.
A farewell to Hockey Wairarapa's Executive Officer
This month, Hockey Wairarapa Executive Officer, Kelly Govern has stepped down from her role after 18 years of massive contribution to the club.
Kelly has been a pillar of the Wairarapa hockey community and instrumental in supporting the Wairarapa Regional Sport Organisation Collective. Kelly often organised bimonthly catch-ups with the collective to share challenges and success across the sporting codes.
An incredible success for Wairarapa Hockey is the huge growth in primary school hockey teams. Friday night primary school hockey has seen an increase in the past 3 years from 8 teams to 50+ teams.
A message from Hockey Wairarapa's Facebook page: “During her time with us, Kelly has consistently exemplified dedication, commitment, and an unwavering passion for her work and our sport. Her invaluable contributions have played an integral part in the growth and success of our association, and we will always be grateful for her lasting impact.”
Nuku Ora would like to congratulate Kelly on a fantastic 18 years with Hockey Wairarapa and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Pickleball, Masterton
The Wairarapa Senior Regional games, held in Masterton in March offered a range of activities for the senior community to try. Pickleball, a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong was sought after, and the voice of the community showed demand for pickleball in the Wairarapa.
Wairarapa tennis player and long-time tennis coach Cilla Paulik and Nikki Roud from Trust House Recreation set up the Wairarapa league, starting with one session per week on Wednesdays from 9:30 am-11 am. This has now expanded to two sessions a week including Thursdays at 5 pm-7:30 pm. This is at a low cost of $5 per session.
As the sessions are held indoors, pickleball can be held all year round and is suitable for all age ranges, and abilities.
Regional Sport Director role
The Regional Sport Director role for the Wairarapa Secondary Schools has not yet been filled since Kim Whiteman's departure in April 2023. Principals envisage having someone in place to start term 3. For now, Kim is clearing emails and facilitating the Wairarapa Sports Co-ordinators Meetings and major events.
The next Sports Co-ordinators Meeting - Summer Sports will be held on the 28th of July. Check out their website for further information http://www.waisssport.co.nz/.
dsport
dsport are looking to expand their Wellington youth group into the Wairarapa. This is for disabled young people 5-18 years, to try a range of different activities.
The catalyst for this initiative was anecdotal evidence of a gap in disability sport opportunities in the Wairarapa. Ultimately, dsport would like to provide a range of opportunities cost-free for participants, provided by either dsport or third-party organisations and suppliers. Their aim is to increase disability sport options for disabled young people and to also showcase opportunities that families can return to after the quality, safe, and fun experience they’ve had.
This initiative will mean greater opportunities for participation by disabled young people and their families, outside of the education system. It will also mean Wairarapa-based members would not be obliged to regularly travel over the Remutaka Hill to join in activities as they have done so in the past.
This initiative will provide more localised opportunities to help build a sense of belonging and create the impetus for more young disabled people to get involved in play, recreation and sport opportunities.
Dsport are currently advertising a role that will determine in more detail what opportunities exist and the level of demand from disabled people in the Wairarapa. The position description has been listed on our website https://www.nukuora.org.nz/about/vacancies/.
