Young Manakau cricketer to join White Ferns for pro-training
Kia ora neighbours,
A 12-year-old Manakau local will be training alongside the White Ferns this year after being named one of ANZ Next XI.
The team is an exclusive pick of 11 young cricket players who will get to train alongside the White Ferns at a junior training academy and attend master classes in cricket.
Niamh Falanitule, a Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club player, said she couldn’t stop smiling when she got the news, and a brand new set of training uniform, bat, helmet and pads to play with.
Falanitule said while she is too young to play for her school’s hardball team, she looks up to the players on the team and can’t wait to join.
“I played against one of the girls and she was really good - so fast and tall. She’s another Pacific Islander (like me) - which isn’t common in cricket,” she said. More Pasifika girls should play cricket, Falanitule believes.
“Give it a go! There are so many different skills, you might not be the best bowler but you can bat or wicket keep or be a great fielder, with cricket, you get a lot of different skills to try. It’s all about sportsmanship, if you have a bad turn with the bat you know your teammates can pull through.”
ANZ New Zealand CEO Antonia Watson said she believes in providing role models for young women.
“We’re proud to be able to offer these passionate young sportswomen this opportunity to meet and train with their heroes. I’m a firm believer that if you can see it, you can be it.”
We’re proud to be putting our full support behind the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our athletes to the world and provide important opportunities to grow the next generation of cricketers.”
Trucks Parking in Residential Streets
How do people feel about truck and trailer units parking in our residential streets? Manuroa and Airfield Roads in Takanini are truck parks every night. This is a safety issue as trucks and buses cross onto the wrong side of the road to pass them. They also block sight lines for people leaving their properties and turning out of side streets. Parking beside reserves and playgrounds means children are stepping out from behind these vehicles to cross our busy streets. The empty flatbed trailer units are hard to see at night, especially in wet weather. There have been at least two accidents in Takanini, one fatal, involving cars hitting these trailers. The Takanini Residents Group have raised this with the Papakura Local Board and Auckland Council, but as these vehicles are legally parked, we are told there is nothing that can be done. I know this is a problem in other areas in South Auckland, so I would like to hear what people think about this issue.
TODAY CAR WASH CAKE STALL SAUSAGE SIZZLE
Come on down for a sausage or delicious cake, and get your car washed as well
St Johns Church 120 Gt South Rd (entrance opposite Shirley Rd)
Proceeds for the earthquake strengthening of the church building.