January 2006
Another long season has concluded and now it is time to pull up the
tape, pack up the goals, hang up the pads and have a few months off.
Over the weekend of 10 and 11 December a male and female team from
Australia visited New Zealand for a transtasman test series in Glen
Innes, Auckland. Given the success of the New Zealand mens team in
Australia earlier this year it was felt that their games against the
Aussies would be rather close. Sadly this was not the case as New
Zealand did not really play to their potential and the Aussies certainly
looked very good with very strong defence.
The performance of the New Zealand Womens team was the highlight of the
weekend from a Kiwi point of view. The New Zealanders were very
competitive against their Aussie opponents and perhaps were a little
unlucky to not take a game off their more experienced opponents.
To follow are the results of each of the eight games:
Game one
Mens test
Australia won ten goals to nil
Half time, Australia led nine goals to nil
Game two
Womens test
Australia won four goals to two
Half time, New Zealand led two goals to one
Game three
Mens test
Australia won eleven goals to three
Half time, Australia led seven goals to three
Game four
Womens test
Australia won three goals to two
Half time, Australia led two goals to nil
Game five
Mens test
Australia won nine goals to three
Half time, Australia led six goals to one
Game six
Womens test
Australia won seven goals to one
Half time, Australia led three goals to nil
Game seven
Womens test
Final score four goals each
Half time, Australia led two goals to one
Game eight
Mens test
Australia won eight goals to two
Half time, Australia led four goals to nil
On behalf of Goalball New Zealand I offer my sincere thanks to all those who helped to make this weekend run smoothly.
This year we have plans to get younger people involved in our sport. We will also be holding our National Tournament over Labour Weekend and there may be further International opportunities available for our National Squad members.
Our last two National Tournaments have seen two cracking finals as the
men from Christchurch did battle with the men from Auckland and on both
occasions the blokes from the Mainland came through with both games
going to extra time. I am sure that this year's final will be just as
close.
Last year the Women from Auckland took out the title against a combined
side from Canterbury and Waikato. We are hopeful that with younger
players joining our sport that we can increase the numbers in our
Women's competition so the all round skills and strengths of the Women's
competition be be further improved.
But for now it is time to take a break, well for the players anyway as
the behind the scenes administration quietly carries on. On behalf of
Goalball New Zealand I would like to thank all those who have
contributed to our sport over the last twelve months. We value your
enthusiasm and support as we endeavour to take it to another level this
year.
Best wishes for the new year
Murray Peat
President
Goalball New Zealand |