Pacific

Payne swims towards his goals

Cook Islands swimmer Tepaia Payne is on a mission to qualify to represent the country at the New Caledonia Pacific Games later this year and so far he’s on the right track. Payne, who is currently living in Brunei with his family, and Australian-based Cook Islands swimmer Celeste Brown set new personal best swim times […]

Toga run lots of fun

These toga clad Hash House Harriers raised a few eyebrows and comments on Monday when they ran through Avarua for their annual toga run to mark the start of a new year of running for the group. Traditionally the first run of the year for the weekly running group is a themed toga run and […]

Matenga honoured for contribution

The Cook Islands’ most recognised netballer, former Silver Fern Margharet Matenga (nee Kamana), has been honoured for her contribution to the sport in a magazine style netball memorabilia book titled ‘Greatest moments in New Zealand netball history’. Matenga is one of a number of extraordinary Silver Ferns profiled in the fascinating 176-page book which recounts […]

Young sailor makes waves

Aitutaki sailor Aquila Tatira is making waves this week at the Australian Laser Championships in New South Wales placing third in the Laser 4.7 class after two races on day one of the competition. Tatira is one of five local sailors racing in the Australian national regatta including Taua Eliza and Helema Williams who are […]

Duathlon set to go

Due to popular demand and probably also the fact that some want to burn off the Christmas cheer – a duathlon has been organised for today. The run and cycle event will again be held at Nikao opposite the Social Centre and will include two course distances. Those just wanting to ease back into exercise […]

Joe Hoeflich finds a new life

Cook Islands Sports Academy student Joe Hoeflich has gone from the wrong side of the law to top of the class. The 19-year-old was named 2010 CISA student of the year for his outstanding achievements both on the field of play and in his personal life during the year long sports course for young men. […]

Skating to the top

Inline hockey and speed skating are not sports that you would normally associate with the Cook Islands, but brothers Devon and Reyon Kay are at the top of their game in these two codes. Devon and Reyon are the sons of Paul Kay and Helene Brereton and are of Niuean, Mangaian, Nga Pu Toru and […]

Tri time on Xmas day

Serious triathletes rarely take a break – even on Christmas Day. This Saturday several of the islands triathletes will gather at the Tikioki site for a recreational workout of a swim, cycle and run. A good turnout is expected for the Christmas Day triathlon while the weekly Thursday duathlon will continue right through the festive […]

Palmer qualifies as triathlon coach

Tereora PE teacher, and one of the islands top female triathletes Vanessa Palmer, has recently qualified as a Level 1 coach under the Triathlon New Zealand coaching scheme. Palmer, affectionately known as Nemo because of her freakish swimming abilities, will be among the eight Cook Islands athletes taking on the challenge of the Port of […]

Athletes prepare for Half Ironman

Eight Cook Islands athletes will be giving the Christmas eggnog a miss this festive season as they knuckle down to last minute preparation before tackling the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman race on January 8. The race is the 22nd year of the event which will be staged at Pilot Bay for the 2km swim […]

Lifters eye 2012 Olympics

Based on recent successful weightlifting results, the Cook Islands could see all three of its lifters competing at the 2012 London Olympics. Lifters Sam Pera Jnr and Luisa Peters returned home at the weekend with a four medal haul from the recent International Weightlifting Federation’s Intercontinental Club Grand Prix and Commonwealth Senior and Junior Championships […]

All action at finals

Saturday’s soccer knockout grand finals were action packed, from the age grade finals right up to the main premier men’s finals. Nikao Sokattak and Tupapa squared off in the grand final in an intense game which went right down to the wire and had to be decided by a penalty shoot out. Tupapa looked the […]

Sokattak snatch the win!

Men’s Knockout Cup final ends in shootout The Nikao Sokattak premier men’s soccer side snatched the knockout finals win at the weekend against Tupapa in a penalty shootout after the game ended in a 2-all draw. Nikao won the penalty shoot out 4 goals to 3 although it was Tupapa who dominated proceedings in the […]

Knockout Cup grand finals day

14 sailors certified

Fourteen new sailors received their Learn to Sail certificates yesterday after successfully completing the junior sailing course this week. To celebrate their achievement – the under 12 sailors had a pirate picnic on Motu Koromiri in Muri before being presented with their certificates. During the three-day course the new sailors learnt water safety, parts of […]

Nikao and Tupapa clash again

Knockout Cup grand final anybody’s guess The Nikao Sokattak and Tupapa Maraerenga premier men’s soccer teams will go head to head in today’s CIFA Knockout Cup grand finals. The end result of this match will see either team crowned as Knockout Champions for 2010. Only the most biased of Nikao and Tupapa fans would predict […]

Young golfers do well in NZ

Rising Cook Islands golf star Jojo Karati carved up the Whitford Park age group golf championships in New Zealand to share the under 16 category champion’s title with a New Zealand golfer. Karati scored 77 – a 6-over par to be runner-up gross on the first day – and scored another fine 78 on the […]

Avatea pupils follow ocean theme

A seashell – by Tupuna Jessie A seashell lies over the beachside A seashell lies over the sea A seashell lies over the ocean So bring back my seashell to me. Bring back, bring back Bring back my seashell to me Bring back bring back Oh bring back my seashell to me. Taku tua i […]

Penang gold for Luisa

Cook Islands weightlifters Luisa Peters and Sam Pera Jnr will return home this weekend with 4 medals – 3 gold and 1 silver from the recent weightlifting meet in Penang, Malaysia. The duo competed at the International Weightlifting Federation’s Intercontinental Club Grand Prix and Commonwealth Senior and Junior Championships. Peters, the island’s only female lifter, […]

New sailors start

Rarotonga Sailing Club completed a Learn to Sail course at the club on Wednesday for aspiring sailors. The uptake was really keen and it looks like most of the class will be graduating on to the RSC Green Fleet with the younger members taking a more gradual approach through the Nemo squad. These young sailors […]