Jets coach immerses himself in popular Kiwi sports codes

Manawatu Jets coach Ryan Weisenberg had an enlightening weekend learning about sports that are popular in New Zealand.

The American took in some rugby league and union on Saturday night then was at the fastnet netball game to celebrate the opening of new facilities at Vautier Park yesterday.

Jets import Richard Jeter played in the fastnet game for the celebrity team and wasn't a bad goalshoot. Some of the opposition girls, who were under 17 and 19, found it hard to defend against the 1.98-metre tall American.

New Zealand's biggest secondary school sports tournament began today. The national volleyball championships feature more than 130 teams and 2000 players competing at Arena Manawatu. Entry is free, with finals day on Friday.

Manawatu's Ross Taylor might think twice about padding up to Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz after yesterday's effort at the Basin Reserve.

The powerful right-hander looks far and away New Zealand's best batsman at the moment but he keeps finding ways to get out after making a positive start.

Then again, one can forgive him for padding up to Hauritz; it was only about the second one the bowler has actually got to turn all summer and even then he needed three days worth of footmarks. It was only two years ago that Hauritz wasn't even a regular for his state side.

After learning the whereabouts of former Sport Manawatu chief executive Paul Lewis last week, we can now report on the most recent chief. Sport Manawatu's chiefie for 7 1/2 years, Andrea Durie, left for Scotland last April and is now the community sports development manager with Active Surrey in England.

Just when things couldn't get worse for the Hurricanes they suffered a last-minute loss to the Bulls by only a point yesterday. Sitting seventh on the table, below the usually woeful Queensland Reds, the comforts of home must be sorely missed by the Wellington-based franchise. This week they host the Springbok-laden Sharks, so the South African woes they've suffered might not be over just yet.

The Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon hits Palmerston North's Ongley Park on Wednesday. Youngsters from the ages of seven to 15 who want to register at the last minute can do so online.

Ewen Westergaard believes re-establishing the Lawnmaster Classic golf tournament at the Manawatu club was a big success, but he has some goals for the 2011 edition. The tournament is likely to be held in February so it won't clash with others. The club will also work at increasing the strength of the women's field.

- © Fairfax NZ News