Updates from the Director - Bill Kite

Director's Update June 2009

Since the start of Term 2, the ASA groups have had theory lessons on Exercise Physiology, and Anatomy. In week 3, Mrs Fiona Boyle presented information to the students on Diet and Nutrition.
A real bonus was a visit by Ben Stewart, son of Music teacher Mrs Wendy Stewart, who spoke to the Yr 10 group about life as a full-time professional
Snowboarder. The students were quite impressed with what Ben has achieved, and what life is like as a 16 year-old professional. No school, sponsored clothing and equipment, free travel, accommodation, prize money if he does well enough, and a chance to compete at the next Winter Olympics.
Last week, both ASA groups ran a 10km Fun Run to raise money to help Joseph Millar compete at the World Youth Athletics Championships in Italy in July. They did very well, and deserve credit for supporting a fellow student.
This week, the school has invited ASA students and families to an evening at the school to meet with ASA Board members, members of the Aquinas Trust Board, and Teachers-in-charge of Sport. The guest speaker will be local professional Kite Surfer, Mark Jacobs.

Director's Update May 2009

Matthew Strong - Gained 1st place in the U'13 Boys Drag Racing event at the Trans Tasman Waterski Challenge in Australia during the holiday break.

Stephen Reece - has been chosen to represent NZ at the World BMX Championships being held in Adelaide, Australia in July this year.

ASA classes have visited Smith's Shoes in Tauranga this week to see how Gait Analysis can help in avoiding and correcting defects in their walk and run. They found it a very interesting visit. Next week a Nutritionist will coming to speak to them about their dietary requirements for sports performance.

Director's Update April 2009

We have 12 students in Yr 8 and Yr 10 who spend 3 hours a week doing Theory and Practical work in the Academy. So far this term, we have worked on Goal Setting, Fitness Components and Testing, Training Methods and Principles, and Programming and Conditioning. Students have recently presented Autobiography Reviews in class which they have been working on as a Research Assignment since the start of term.
Practical work has been centred around Fitness Testing and developing Training schedules for the year ahead.

Both groups are working extremely well and are keen to learn as much as they can to enhance their sporting abilities.
Here is an update of how some of the ASA students have performed in various Sporting events so far this year :

Athletics:
Sophie Millar - U’14 Girls Overall Champion
Scott Doney – U’14 Boys Overall Champion

BOP Athletics:
Sophie Millar - U’14 Girls: 100m - 2nd, 200m - 1st
Scott Doney - U’14 Boys 80m Hurdles - 1st

Waikato / Bay of Plenty Athletics:
Sophie Millar - U’14 Girls 100m - 2nd, 200m - 1st
Scott Doney - U’14 Boys 80m Hurdles – 2

North Island Secondary Schools
Sophie Millar - Junior Girls 200m - 5th

Surf Lifesaving:
Ocean Athletes, Mt Maunganui :
Lauren Dennehy - U’12 Women Beach Sprint - 3rd
Mixed Beach Relay - 3rd
Mickey Ellis - U’12 Men Tube Rescue - 1st
Kathryn Stewart - U’14 Women Board Race - 2nd
Mixed Beach Relay - 2nd

Surf Championships, Gisborne :
Aquinas Swimming;
Danielle O’Connor – U’16 Girls Overall Champion

National Age Group Championships (Wellington)
Danielle O’Connor - U’15 Women 100m Freestyle - 2nd,
50m Butterfly - 2nd, 50m Freestyle - 1st,
4×50m Freestyle Club Relay - 1st,
4×50m Freestyle Provincial Relay - 1st
50m Backstroke - 4th
Named in the NZ Tri Series Squad 2009

Yr 7/8 Interschool Competition
Mathew Stewart – Yr 8 Boys
50m Breaststroke - 3rd, 25m Breaststroke - 3rd, 100m Freestyle Relay - 2nd
Lauren Dennehy – Yr 8 Girls
100m Freestyle Mixed Relay - 2nd

Waterskiing:
Matthew Strong named in the NZ Junior TransTasman Waterski Team

Squash:
James and Luke Cooper both competing in the Australian National Junior Squash Championships, Rockhampton (9-23 April)
James Cooper – competing in the World Junior Squash Championships in Malaysia
26th May – 4th June

Football:
Scott Doney named in the U’14 Waikato/BOP Federation Football Team