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Rowing representation

Several Marlborough rowers have recently achieved higher honours. MBC oarsman Aidan Bennett has been selected into the NZ men’s under-19 double crew to compete at the World U19 champs in Bulgaria in August, while Wairau rower Zac Jenkins will crew the men’s pair in the South Island under-22 team at the 2026 Oceania under-22 teams champs in Queensland later next month. Former MGC rower Mila van Rensburg has also been rewarded for top performances, being named in the NZ university women’s eight to race Australia in July.

Water polo trialists

Compelling form at the recent NZ schools division two water polo champs saw three MGC students chosen to attend a three-day NZ age group camp/trial in Auckland over the weekend. Poppy Clark and Libby Senior will trial for the NZ under-17 team, while India Nathan will try out for the national under-16 side. Also at the camp is former MGC stand-out Koko Wong, now a Year 13 student at Diocesan School for Girls. Koko will be seeking to repeat her NZ under-18 selection form last year, especially since her school side won the division one nationals and after she was selected in a senior National League team.

Girls go global

Marlborough Girls’ College rowers, Isla Muir, Maggie Clark and Charlie Bennett, pictured above,  are taking part in the 2026 Global Youth Rowing and Cultural Exchange Programme in Chengdu, China. This is a 10-day development experience in rowing training and cultural immersion. Daily training sessions under coaches from the University of Otago, plus MGC head coach Joe Bennion. They then compete in an International Friendship Regatta.

Golfers in action

Marlborough golfers featured towards the top end of the scoreboard at the recent South Island boys age group championships in Methven. In the under-16 section Hunter Wong from the Blenheim Golf Club finished seventh overall after three rounds, with clubmate Kobe Hart ninth and Harry MacNeill from the Marlborough GC eleventh.  In the under-19 section, Spencer Gregg, also from Marlborough GC, finished 31st after making the cut.

Rally, rally good

After an eight-year hiatus rally ace Hayden Paddon and Marlborough co-driver John Kennard, pictured above, are back on the WRC podium. Hayden and John survived a chaotic tarmac rally in which Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville crashed out on the final stage, the Belgian having been in the lead, with Hayden fourth. The unfortunate event elevated them to the podium in just their second event this year, after placing 11th at Rallye Monte Carlo. Their next World Rally Championship event will be in Japan.

Squash champs

Paul Moran and Megan Graham, pictured above, are the 2026 Marlborough Squash Open victors. Paul beat Liam Gale 3-2 in the men's open final while Megan added to her ever-growing list of local titles by beating Carly Craig 3-0 in the women’s open decider.

Reilly in demand

Inspire Tennis coach Reilly Quirk has been appointed coach for the NZ girls 14 and under team to take part in the ITF World Junior Tennis qualifiers in Malaysia. The four best performing teams will progress to the finals from 3-8 August in Czechia.

Lockie on top

Lockie McNabb has scored a notable victory in Europe. The former MBC road cyclist rode to victory in the Rund um Schönaich race which covered 16 laps of a 9km circuit, a total distance of 144km and nearly 2000m of elevation. Lockie averaged just over 45kmh and made his winning move on the last climb to win by five seconds.