Shot putter lands scholarship

MARTIN DE RUYTER/Nelson Mail

BOOST: Shot putter Meghan Kirk has been awarded an athletics scholarship.

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Young Nelson shot putter Meghan Kirk's potential has been recognised as the first recipient of the inaugural Motueka High School ITM Athletics Scholarship.

The two-year scholarship, worth $2500 a year, has enabled the talented athlete to transfer from Nelson College for Girls to Motueka High School this year where she'll receive specialised coaching and the opportunity to fulfil her outstanding potential. The scholarship includes the provision of sports clothing.

The Motueka branch of ITM will provide $2000 of the funding. Its contribution will go towards helping fund Kirk's travel from Nelson each day.

With sports performance now an official subject at Motueka High School, Kirk will receive about 10 hours specialised training each week under the guidance of coach Tony Aikenhead.

Kirk, 16, was second in the junior girls' shot put at the 2006 national secondary schools championships and recorded a personal best distance of 10.55m for Nelson at the interprovincial Mahar Cup meeting at Trafalgar Park two weeks ago.

Aikenhead said Kirk's dedication and attitude towards training and competition helped secure her the scholarship. She improved her national ranking from 25th to second within six months in 2006.

Aikenhead believes she has the potential to become the New Zealand secondary schools champion and he doesn't rule out her achieving a placing at this year's event.

Kirk is competing at the Canterbury track and field championships this weekend, followed by the South Island secondary schools championships in Timaru next month and the national age group championships in Auckland in April.

- © Fairfax NZ News