Leila Walker and Bastiaan Banks of Cambridge High School with the Battle of Waipā Trophy.
Hundreds of year 9 and 10 students from St Peter’s Cambridge, Te Awamutu College and Cambridge High School are revving up for this year’s Battle of the Waipā Schools on May 18.
St Peter’s sports prefects Murdoch Bech and Milana Tapper are organising the event, which will be held on their home turf next Thursday from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
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- New Zealand’s Rachael Archer (Kawasaki), who put on a sensational display at the 2024 International Six Days Enduro in Spain. Photo by Pole Position Communication
Murdoch said first prize was all about glory.
“It’s bragging rights,” he said. “Cambridge kids grew up knowing these kids from Middle School and primary schools…it’s all a bit of fun. You’ve got to try out things and get out of your comfort zone.”
It was also a chance for neighbouring schools to build rapport, and for student leaders to make new connections and strengthen their networks.
Action will centre around the Robb Sports Centre as teams go head to head in badminton, 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, hockey, football, la crosse, an erg competition, rugby sevens, chess, theatre sports and a general knowledge quiz.
Students will run and referee most events.
“We have both boys’ and girls’ rugby sevens this year,” Murdoch said. “The St Peter’s team has come together just for this day and has been training and is itching for some real competition.”
He is particularly looking forward to watching those games, and “seeing the people who don’t normally get to play as much sport competitively”.
Cambridge High School won last year’s battle and Murdoch said while St Peter’s was striving to take home this year’s trophy, it wasn’t all about that.
“It’s not all about putting in super, super competitive teams; it’s about fun as well,” he said.
After spending months organising the event with Milana, he’s excited about watching all their hard work come to fruition next Thursday.
“I’ve been grateful for the experience and I just want to thank Milana because I couldn’t have done it without her – I really appreciate what she’s done,” he said.
