Vaka Eiva 2009 links
Build-up
External Links:
Events and results:
Full coverage (day-by-day):
- Sat 21 - Day 1
- Mon 23 - Day 3
- Tue 24 - Day 4
- Wed 25 - Day 5
- Thu 26 - Day 6
- Fri 27 - Day 7
- Sat 28 - Day 8
- Mon 30 - Wrap up LATEST
Photo galleries:
Sailors at New Zealand nationals
Koiatu keen to return to Suva sevens
Big wins at touch
Nisha stops sports
Zumba with Nora
Parliamentary payout
Iron surf eye-opener for twins
League kicking off
Potiki Sports back on
3 win soccer scholarships in NZ
Sea Scouts back in action
FBI women bulldoze Rama
Masters athletics resume
Sailors at New Zealand nationals
Thu
28 Jan
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Local sailors are learning to be ‘tougher’ in their races at the New Zealand nationals in Timaru.
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Cook Islands national sailors have now arrived in Timaru for the New Zealand nationals with plenty of sunshine and breeze making for good sailing.
The team came down to Christchurch straight from the Adelaide competition and spent a week racing with other young sailors at the Christchurch Yacht Club.
They raced with them on Sunday with a good variation of estuary and open sea sailing, in strong winds.
The sailors then headed to Timaru and were able to pick up hire boats and do three days of practice before the event began.
Saturday was the first day of racing with a heavy ocean swell.
Taua Elisa sailed well against a classy field which includes New Zealand’s best laser sailors -- Olympian Andrew Murdoch and Michael Bullot runner-up at the ILCA Laser World Champs -- and other sailors challenging for these prestigious opportunities.
This event is the first of four events which will decide New Zealand representation at the World Championships.
Elisa was lying in 12 place at this stage out of 31 starters and is really enjoying the event.
The 4.7s started their racing with two general recalls but they were able to get away cleanly the second time.
The young sailors, here to experience big fleet racing, soon learned that this is no place for gentlemen!
The start line is crowded and with 33 boats starting, it is a different kettle of fish from starting with a maximum of 10 boats on the line.
Toka Charlie was able to start well both times and got away to a great start in the first race to eventually finish ninth. In the second race after being boxed in on the beat, he managed to find some clear air and finished 17th – to hold 12th placing in the fleet of 33.
Teau McKenzie started reasonably well but took the less favoured side and struggled to find clear air. She finished in 31st place out of 33.
The second race saw a good improvement with a more aggressive post-start plan, where she sailed well to come in 18th in the mixed 4.7 fleet and placed 25 from 33.
Aquila Tatira from Aitutaki is learning to be more aggressive too as the first beat is every man for himself and a good start alone will not cut the mustard!
He was pretty well buried in the fleet and tried all he knew to find clear air unsuccessfully. In both races his place was 27 from 33. While disappointed he is fired up now to sail with that new knowledge in mind and will have five races scheduled to apply his new ‘tough’ philosophy!
All being well he may be able to drop these two races if the scheduled 10 race series is completed.
Koiatu keen to return to Suva sevens
Thu
28 Jan
Cook Islander Koiatu Koiatu will return to next year’s Suva International Sevens tournament if the Western Force gets another invite to take part in the rugby festival.
It was the first time for Koiatu to be in Fiji and it is an experience he will miss when he returns to Australia.
Speaking to SunSports, KK as he is affectionately known said the trip to Fiji was awesome.
“It is really awesome, the people are great, we had a great time and we would love to come back next year.”
Starting to play with the oval ball at the age of six, KK said hanging his boots would depend on when his body gives up on him.
“I’m 32 years old now but I feel that I still have a lot to give, so I’m not planning on when I will hang up my boots.”
Representing Western Force at the Suva tournament, KK said he would not represent the Cook Islands team this year.
“Unfortunately we didn’t qualify so we won’t play in the IRB Sevens this year.”
Canada coach Morgan Williams rated the Suva sevens as one of the best tournaments.
While there are some setbacks on the organisation of the tournament, he believes next year’s tournament will be a much better one since this is the first time for them to host such a tournament.
“Fiji time as they say exists a lot in this tournament but international teams should learn to go with the flow and try to understand the situation of hosting such a tournament in Fiji.
“Overall it has been a great one and everyone has something to learn from not only on the field of play but in all areas of the tournament. The people are just great; the local food, accommodation and the friendly smiling faces of the Fijians is what helped the boys enjoyed the great sunshine and summer here.”
Papua New Guinea assistant coach William Rikis applauded the organisation of the three-day tournament.
“It was a good tournament and PNG is lucky to be invited by Fiji to participate in the tournament.
“Sevens is a Pacific sport and this tournament has really helped us neighbouring Pacific islands in lifting the standard of our game.
“We are definitely going to be here again next year and we will continue to come over if there are other invitations because many of our players have really learnt a lot from the Fijian players,” he added.
The tournament was won by the Fiji Barbarians – basically the national side – which walloped local side Waimanu 45-0. In pool play Waimanu beat the Barbarians 12-0.
Big wins at touch
Fri
29 Jan
One sided touch rugby games were seen in the first day of the mixed touch rugby competition on Wednesday afternoon.
The star studded Vikings team was just too strong for the Klasix winning 7-3.
To Roxz team of prisoners surprised all with their fit
players and fast improving skills.
However they couldn’t break through the 007 defence who eventually won the game 8-3.
Team Marekos took the Club Raro Stormers to the cleaners thrashing the side 9-1 before the northern group island outfit Rama overcame team No Names 5 tries to one.
The next session of touch rugby games will be on Monday with round two of the open men and women competition followed by round two of the mixed competition next Wednesday.
Results – Vikings 7 vs Klasix 3, The Roxz 3 vs 007 8, Club Raro Stormers 1 vs Marekos 9, No Names 1 vs Rama 5.
Nisha stops sports
Fri
29 Jan
Cyclone Nisha forced the cancellation of a few sports events yesterday while games planned for today and tomorrow up in the air.
The finals of the women’s cricket competition, which were meant to be held yesterday in Matavera and Arorangi, have been postponed until next Thursday at the same venues starting at the same time.
Yesterday’s business house golf competition was called off but is expected to carry on today at the Rarotonga Golf Club
in Nikao.
The weekly duathlon was also cancelled yesterday with triathletes hoping the weather will clear up for Saturday’s triathlon.
The grand final of the Turtles Domestic Cricket tournament between the Storm Chasers and Royal is due to be played on Saturday but if the rain continues this also will be called off.
Athletes are encouraged to listen to the radio for any last minute changes or updates on sports events over the next few days.
Zumba with Nora
Sat
30 Jan
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Zumba today and help local fitness instructor Nora Iakoba get certified as an instructor.
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The Zumba fitness craze on Rarotonga is growing every day as locals salsa and samba their bodies into shape.
Because of this growth, local fitness instructor Nora Iakoba is holding a Zumba fundraiser today to help her complete a Zumba instructors workshop in New Zealand next month.
Iakoba says that she’s been a fitness instructor for the past seven months and since the arrival of the Zumba craze, her classes have grown in numbers every day.
But the 30-year-old understands the importance of being properly certified to deliver the group exercise programme so she’s decided to take the course in New Zealand so she can give her clients the best fitness workout around.
Zumba is group exercise that combines fun with Latin and international music, which gets people working up a sweat and smiling at the same time – so it’s great for body, mind and soul.
Iakoba will hold a special Zumba class today starting at 9am at the Turangi Assembly of God hall.
And for just $10, you will start your day feeling fantastic and with a spring in your step!
Iakoba invites Zumba enthusiasts and beginners to come along for a revitalising morning of Zumba!
Parliamentary payout
Sat
30 Jan
New Zealand and Cook Islands parliamentarians put their bodies on the line in a thrilling rugby match in November to raise funds for a local community group.
Next week a cheque of $1272 will be handed over to Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Service which was the community group of choice to receive the funds from the rugby match.
The game between New Zealand parliamentarians and local members of parliament and golden oldies rugby players was the curtain raiser match to the 2009 Sevens in Heaven international sevens tournament.
At the time Mongoose lock George George said that it was one of the hardest games of golden oldies rugby he had ever played.
That was because of the high level of fitness and skills of the New Zealand parliamentarian rugby team who tour regularly for games.
The funds raised will go a long way to help Te Vaerua Community Rehabilitation Service deliver its services to the community.
Iron surf eye-opener for twins
Mon
1 Feb
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The stars line up with defending champions Shannon Eckstein and Naomi Flood (foreground) beside local twins Cailean (left) and Benjamin Henderson.
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A recent holiday to Australia’s Gold Coast saw local twins Cailean (left) and Benjamin Henderson meet the superstars of surf lifesaving.
The twins are the sons of Vicki Henderson and grandsons of Maria Henderson of Nikao.
The world’s best men and women were assembled at Kurrawa Beach for rounds one and two of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain professional Ironman series.
With a total prize pool of A$250,000 the athletes are all training hard for a share of the cash and competition is sure to be fierce with reputations on the line at each event.
Both the men’s and women’s fields comprise the world’s best multi discipline surf athletes.
The line-up sees a bevy of current and former world and Australian champions doing battle in the boiling surf of Australia’s east coast.
A typical Iron race comprises of a 500m swim through the surf break and return, a paddle board leg of 500m and a surf ski leg of 700m culminating in a gut-wrenching 100m sprint to the finish line.
A round held over 2 hours sees the athletes complete the course 3 times with minimal rest between each start.
The boys were photographed by their uncle Harvie Allison, whose water sports photography business covers all Australian lifesaving competitions.
- Matariki Wilson /Harvie Allison
League kicking off
Tue
2 Feb
Weather permitting, first league games this week
THE COOK Islands rugby league season kicks off this weekend with the first game to be played on Friday between the Titikaveka Bulldogs and the Arorangi Bears.
Six premier teams will battle it out over the next 13 weeks for rugby league supremacy.
The lineup includes 2009 champions the Tupapa Panthers, runner ups the Avatiu Eels, TiŽtikaveka Bulldogs, Arorangi Bears, Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles and the combined AitutŽaki Sharks and Takuvaine WarŽriors premier team.
The Aitutaki Sharks have earned a regular spot on the league season calendar and last year they showed visible imŽprovements in their game.
It would be foolish for RaroŽtonga teams laugh off this team as easy beats – you might get a shark bite on your tails when you least expect it!
Combine the Sharks with the Warriors and you’re looking at a deadly mix.
As defending champions, the Tupapa Panthers are certainly a team to watch out for, likewise the Avatiu Eels who’ve been in training for some time now at the swamp.
And with a team in the touch rugby competition – fitness is goŽing to be the Eels strongpoint.
The Titikaveka Bulldogs have struggled to find their form over the past few years, though they pulled some surprises last year.
And if the team build on that this year – 2010 could be the year the doggies rise again!
The Arorangi Bears and NgaŽtangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles will need to get out of their ‘middle of the pack’ comfort zones and give their supporters something to reŽally cheer and sing about.
After the cancellation of the two-day sevens league tournaŽment last weekend, teams will head into the first round of games this Friday and Saturday with little knowledge other than past performance of their opposŽing teams.
The Titikaveka Bulldogs will host the Arorangi Bears while the Avatiu-Nikao Eels will host the Aitutaki Sharks/Warriors at the swamp.
At Victoria Park, the Panthers will play hosts to the Ngatangiia- Matavera Sea Eagles.
The draw for all rugby league grades including under 13, unŽder 16, under 19 and reserve grades plus the referees appointŽments will be published later in the week.
But the premier grade match between the Avatiu Eels and the Aitutaki Shark/Warriors will be played at the swamp at 2pm.
Watch this space for the rugby league draw. - MW
Potiki Sports back on
Tue
2 Feb
BUILDING a strong foundation of skills and techniques for fuŽture Cook Islands athletes is the aim behind the Potiki Sports programme starting on SaturŽday.
The junior sports developŽment programme aims to teach children a wide range of sports skills and techniques they can build on as they move into the sport code of their choice.
The sports programme run by the CISNOC sports developŽment unit is targeted at children aged five to 13 years.
Children will be introduced to a wide range of sporting acŽtivities which help them underŽstand different sports and have fun at the same time.
The programme will run for two hours every Saturday at the BCI Stadium in Nikao.
The day’s activities will start at 9am and finish at 11 o’clock so parents can drop the kids off and do the family shopping while the youngsters have fun learning and playing sports.
The programme is free. ParŽents asked to supply children with comfortable footwear and a bottle of water.
For more information on the programme call Elizabeth Tou at the CISNOC office. - MW
3 win soccer scholarships in NZ
Tue
2 Feb
THE COOK Islands Football Association (CIFA) has selected three of the island’s elite football players for its scholarship programme.
The scholarship programme is part of the asŽsociation’s ongoing development of elite football players in the country.
The three players picked for this year’s footŽball scholarship are Opura Emile Mamanu, Terii Framhein and Clark Ngaau.
Opura is in his second year in the programme while Clark and Terii will be attending Mt Albert Grammar for the first time. The three players, who have left for New Zealand, were excited at being announced as scholarship recipients.
“We believe that this is a very good opportunity for these players to experience and to explore of what this scholarship program is all about,” said CIFA president Lee Harmon.
In the past years other elite players have been given this great opportunity and have returned to the island where they have showcased and shared their experiences with local clubs and CIFA’s naŽtional team. - CIFA Media
Sea Scouts back in action
Wed
3 Feb
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Sea Scouts check out one of their sailing craft at their first meeting for 2010 last Monday.
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The Avarua Harbour Sea Scouts checked out their boat equipment after resuming meetings last Monday following the holiday break.
The youngsters rigged one of their sailing craft, checked the safety boat, got into their rope work and were taught the correct way to put on and adjust a lifejacket.
They were each given a DVD and book on boating safety to take home and study as part of their ongoing training.
They were also shown the fleet of boats the leaders and adult supporters are working on at the Avarua boatsheds.
Over the past month, the group has had their patrol boat on display at the Punanga Nui as part of a water and boating safety promotion. Scout leaders from Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom visited their stand and parents also enrolled their children in Sea Scouts.
During the past six months, the group has raised funds by cleaning the hulls of some of the visiting yachts which moored in Avatiu harbour.
Those interested in joining the Sea Scouts can go along to their meetings on Monday nights at Punanga Nui market from 5pm to 6.30pm.
FBI women bulldoze Rama
Wed
3 Feb
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After evenly contested touch rugby matches on Monday in the open men and women’s division, mixed touch rugby teams will take to the field today for round two of their competition.
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Evenly contested touch rugby matches were seen on Monday night when the open men
and women’s teams took to the field.
All but one match ended with just a one point difference in the scores.
The FBI women’s team bulldozed their opponents from the Rama northern group team 8-1 in the only one sided match of the day.
In the women’s competition, the TSL Rookies sneaked in one more try to edge out the feisty Devil Slayers 3-2 while the Vixens managed to outsmart the Bounty Hunters 4-3.
In the men’s competition, the Avatiu league boys were pushed hard by the Germinators but the league boys were not to be outdone and beat the Germinators 6-5.
The Vikings continued their winning streak but were nearly bowled over by the Oda Rebels, who couldn’t find the equalising try so the Vikings walked away the victors 6-5.
The prisoners Roxz team again impressed this week but a possible first win eluded them again this week as the Rama men from the north edged out the prisoners 6-5.
Today (Wednesday) sees the mixed touch rugby teams take to the field for round two of their competition.
Head to the Avatiu swamp today for the mixed touch rugby action.
Open division results – (women) Devil Slayers 2 vs TSL Rookies 3, Vixens 4 vs Bounty Hunters 3, FBI 8 Rama 1, (men) Avatiu League Boys 6 Germinators 5, Vikings 6 vs Oda Rebels 5, Roxz 5 vs Rama 6.
Mixed touch draw for Wednesday – 5pm-(field one) Club Raro Stormers vs Klasix, 5.35pm-(field one) Roxz vs Vikens, 5.35pm-(field two) Rama vs Mareko, 6.10pm-No Names (formerly Westpac) vs 007.
Masters athletics resume
Wed
3 Feb
Masters athletics returns to BCI Stadium today.
Cook Islands masters athletes are continuing with their regular track and field meetings at the BCI Stadium as they prepare for the Oceania Champs to be staged in Tahiti in early July.
Today’s meeting starts at 5pm and will be the third meeting this year as athletes improve on their techniques across a variety of events.
Any masters athlete (aged 40 plus) who is interested in taking part either here on a regular basis or joining in with the group who are planning to attend the championships in Tahiti (2 to 10 July) should come to the BCI Stadium this evening or contact either David Lobb or Terai Hill as soon as possible.
The programme for today is – 5pm Shot Put, 5.20pm Long Jump, 5.40pm Javelin Throw, 6pm 100m, 6.15pm 1500m, 6.15pm Hammer Throw.
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