‘Well connected to our community’
Stacey Waaka leads way with gold as former Bay students aim for glory
The school of former Whakata¯ ne student and Olympian Stacey Waaka are “absolutely stoked” after the women’s rugby sevens team won gold in Paris.
The Black Ferns sevens broke New Zealand’s medal drought on Tuesday night NZT and defended their title with a victory over Canada in the gold medal match, with Waaka scoring a try.
Two former Whakata¯ ne High School students are competing in the Olympics this year — Waaka and Dame Lisa Carrington.
Six former Tauranga Boys’ College students and a former
O¯ tu¯ moetai College student are also competing.
The “Old Boys” from Tauranga Boys’ College are Julian David competing in sport climbing, Jordan Parry in rowing, Riley Bidois in football, Leroy Carter in the rugby sevens, Thomas Saunders in sailing and Ben Westenberg in para cycling.
Former Otu¯ ¯ moetai College student and canoe slalom athlete Luuka Jones is competing in her fifth Olympic Games. She won silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
The Paris Olympics run from July 27 to August 12 NZT and the Paris Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.
Whakata¯ ne High School principal Martyn Knapton told the Bay of Plenty Times the school was “absolutely stoked” for Waaka.
“She’s really well connected to our community still. When she gets the opportunity, she’s back here in the Eastern Bay. She’s often on the side of the rugby pitch cheering on the kids. “She’s still part of the fabric of the school, in a way, alongside Lisa [Carrington].”
Knapton said Waaka was a good role model for the students in terms of “all the things you need to do to be an athlete”.
After Waaka won gold at the last Olympics, she returned to the school and the school put up a plaque in the hall for her and Carrington, Knapton said. ‘Unwavering’ dedication
O¯ tu¯ moetai College principal Russell Gordon said during Jones’ time at school, she “exemplified the values we hold dear”.
“She demonstrated remarkable resilience, consistently pushing through challenges and setbacks. Her dedication to her sport was unwavering, always putting in the necessary effort and time to improve.
“As a leader, she inspired her peers with her positive attitude and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and believe that the foundation laid during her high school days has played a significant role in her sporting success.”
He said the college had always aimed to challenge and inspire its students through a variety of “quality sporting experiences”. Supporting students in their aspirations Tauranga Boys’ College principal Andrew Turner said he was proud School ‘absolutely stoked’ for sevens star of the Old Boys’ achievements and the school community had reached out to them to wish them the best at the Olympics.
“The college has made a commitment to being best for boys and ensuring we are supporting all boys in their dreams and aspirations.
“We are blessed to have a dedicated staff, wha¯ nau, and community who share in this commitment and our programmes provide the opportunities and support these students need to help realise this potential.”
Turner said this year’s Olympians joined a legacy of other great Old Boys who had represented New Zealand on the world stage.
Wilde shouts out Tauranga
Triathlete Hayden Wilde got a silver medal in the triathlon on Wednesday after the event was postponed because of pollution showing following water-quality testing in the River Seine.
Wilde previously told Tri NZ he had simulated the expected conditions when he was training in Tauranga earlier in the year with coach Craig Kirkwood.
“We had a great opportunity in Otu¯ ¯ moetai where we were kind of swimming within the Tauranga Harbour in this little area where it’s very tide-assisted,” Wilde said.
“I would go out at a certain time and would be able to swim against the current and then come back and swim with the current.
“It was just teaching the body how to swim with the current because that’s a super important thing.
“You need to slow your stroke down and go with it, not panic stroke.
“When you come back, you have to increase that stroke and be a little bit quicker,” he said.
“So, yeah, it’s going to be really interesting tactically, but also, position on the pontoon is going to be super important, I think, for Paris.”
Other Olympians with Bay of Plenty links include Pa¯ pa¯ moa athlete Samuel Tanner, who was set to compete in the men’s 1500m running heats last night at 9.05pm.
Triathlete Nicole van der Kaay finished 31st.
Artistic swimmer Eva Morris will compete on August 10 and August 11.
Speed climber Sarah Tetzlaff will compete on August 5 and cyclist Shaane Fulton’s Olympics will begin on August 7.
Sailor Molly Meech is out of medal contention on points but will compete in the women’s skiff (49erfx) medal race today.