Exchange student masters outdoors

A Year 12 German exchange student and a nationally recognised volunteer were among the top sports award recipients at the Golden Bay High School prize-giving.

Lara Engbert came to Golden Bay on a six-month exchange, but found the school community and lifestyle suited so much, that she decided to extend her time and finish out the school year.

Lara was awarded the Outdoor Pursuits Trophy for excellence in the outdoor education programme that involved rock climbing, kayaking, river crossing and tramping.

Lara launched into the school's sporting events, travelling and competing in Palmerston North with the First XI girls' football team. She was a member of the sport climbing team and represented the school in her preferred sport of volleyball.

The Golden Bay Community Plate for sportspersonship went to year 13 student Luken Chamberlain.

Luken's involvement with sport at Golden Bay High School (GBHS) has many facets. Luken was joint chairman on the GBHS Sport Council, coached the year 7-8 junior A netball team and was manager of GBHS Senior A netball team. He also refereed basketball.

Luken captained the GBHS golf team to the Tasman secondary schools competition and the World Schools Golf Challenge. He also represented the school in sevens, basketball, volleyball, football, touch and ki-o-rahi.

Luken this year has won local, regional and national recognition with his coaching of netball. He coached the Golden Bay Netball Centre under-13 representative team. As well as school coaching awards Luken won the Netball Tasman student coach award and Netball New Zealand New World National Youth Volunteer award. Other top sports awards: Athletics senior girls athletics champion: Lydia Freeman. Senior girls sprint champion: Isabella Knight. Senior boys athletics and sprint champion: Marco Symmons. Cross-country senior girls champion Holly Johnson, senior boys champion Ross Stocker. Swimming senior girls champion Holly Johnson, senior boys champion Zak Gibbs. Tennis senior girls champion Holly Foxwell. Netball commitment & contribution to GBHS netball Luken Chamberlain.

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