Sporting briefs

COLLEGE RECOGNITION

Marlborough Girls’ College sporting stalwarts Maggie Lloyd and Jan Gallop were recognised with a Service to School Sport Award at a special assembly at MGC last week. The national award recognises exceptional service as a volunteer to school sport over a number of years. Both Maggie and Jan were presented with a pounamu taonga by Mike Summerell, CEO of School Sport NZ who commented, “documenting a full list of your contributions and achievements would take some time but what we really should be thanking you for is providing the opportunity for thousands of young people to have experienced all the great things school sport has to offer”.

RAAM RAIDERS

The Inspire Foundation Marlborough are set to benefit from the gut-busting efforts of former Marlborough real estate agent and sporting personality Aaron Davis. Aaron was part of the four-strong TeamNZ Blue team who are completed the legendary 4828km non-stop Race Across America [RAAM] to raise money for various charities. Aaron hopes to add around $25,000 to the Inspire Foundation Marlborough coffers, a charity close to the heart of himself and his family. Aaron and his team set off from California on June 17 and crossed the finish line in seven days one hour 43 minutes on Sunday morning [NZ time]. Helping TeamNZ Blue achieve their goal as part of the support crew was Marlborough’s Craig Harper, who completed the RAAM solo in June 2019. To donate go to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/race-across-america-raising-funds-for-inspire

ROWING RETURN

There will be a strong Marlborough connection in the New Zealand rowing team to attend next month’s World Cup III regatta in Switzerland. Making his return after a lengthy illness-related hiatus is Tokyo eights gold medallist Tom Murray, who will be part of a new-look men’s four. Also back in black is the world’s fastest single sculler, 33-year-old Robbie Manson, now based in Cambridge and competing for Waikato. He will join Ben Harris in one of two men’s double sculls. The final team for the forthcoming World Championships in Serbia will be confirmed after the Swiss event. Kobe Miller has been confirmed in the New Zealand under-23 men’s quad to contest the U23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, next month. Local coach Mark Stallard will coach two of the crews.

CYCLING CHAMPS

Former Marlborough Sportperson of the Year Callum Saunders has been named in a 17-strong New Zealand team to compete at the track cycling World Champs in Glasgow in August. Cycling New Zealand's track team is based on the successful group from last year's Commonwealth Games where they won a record 13 medals including eight gold. Callum and Aucklander Sam Dakin form the men’s sprint team.