19 June, 2020

Takapuna Grammar lions ready to roar

The caged-up competitive spirit of Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) sports teams is finally being unleashed. Teams are now training hard after the Covid-disrupted start to the winter-sports season. Several sports have already begun play in North Harbour competitions.

The school’s director of sport, Jenna Murie, said: “The students are really excited to be getting back into sport. The lockdown seems to have highlighted the importance of physical activity and how much students value their teammates and the team atmosphere.”

Premier teams were working to a high standard. “With no winter tournament week this year, the weekly Harbour competition will be the focus point for many sports.”

Basketball was first to tip off last week, with hockey and football underway this week. Rugby and netball begin on Saturday 27 June, although junior and lower grade netball teams will have to wait until Term 3.

With unsettled times and the delayed start to play there has been a slight drop in team numbers, Murie said.

But some participating students seemed even more determined to get stuck in after fearing they might miss out on having a season altogether. Guided fitness training at home was followed by reintroducing activities under Government guidelines and then getting back into more sport-specific, game-type movements and full-team practices.

The TGS premier netball team, coached by Murie, will be aiming to match last year’s feat of making North Harbour’s top school-grade final.

Missing out on tournament week against other North Island schools, after winning their way into the hotly contested A grade in 2019, was tough, especially for Year 13 players.

The most popular winter sports at TGS by numbers playing are football, rugby and netball.

Football has 14 teams competing, netball and basketball 13 each, rugby eight, hockey five, table tennis and ultimate frisbee four each, and squash and junior water polo two each.

Fifty badminton players are registered, along with 33 cyclists and 10 mountain-bikers.