In this Issue

	Blame it on the rain...
	Pluto Rocks
	Players Wait for the all Clear
	Waikato and Auckland Takeout the Karate
	Ultimate Frisbee Equals Ultimate Experience
	Windy Conditions no obstacle
	Refs Call
	Competition Favorites Don’t Disappoint
	All eyes On Team Monash
	There was more water over head in the bus...
	Skyline Skyrides Uni Luge Night
	EZE Win
	Kelly Swanson-Roe
	Photos
	Photos
	Photos

Games Partners

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Tuesday 15 April, 2008

Blame it on the rain...

Day Two at the Uni Games Rotovegas!

Everyone here has been impressed at the level of professionalism of the athletes. It rained HARD today, some partied hard last night, yet they were still out there weathering the storm - Literally.

Ka mau ki te wehi!

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Pluto Rocks

Highly acclaimed rock band Pluto blew up the stage at the opening ceremony at Waiariki campus last night.There were more than 2000 students who were rocking and headbanging to the music during the live performance.Plenty of Brewni, the official Beer of the 2008 Uni Games fueled the party goers all night long.Brewni was created by Rotorua's own Crouching Brewning Co specifically for the event.

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Players Wait for the all Clear

If the weather wasn’t enough of a disruption to the start of the Uni Games, an over-heated urn in the kitchen at the Energy Events Centre, set off the fire alarm, causing the entire complex to be evacuated! Needless to say, the Netball and Basketball athletes and supporters were not impressed while they waited in the rain for the ‘all clear’ to continue their games. Although we had a rocky start to the day, all games are back on schedule.

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Waikato and Auckland Takeout the Karate

A small but highly skilled group of karate experts competed in today's karate event held at the Novotel Hotel Rotorua.Reigning Uni Games and NZ Open Womens Champion, Sarah Campell of Waikato University was on form, taking out the Womens division.Auckland Universities Travis Butler was victories in the mens' grade. Auckland won the overall competition.

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Ultimate Frisbee Equals Ultimate Experience

Adrenalin pumping, free flowing game combined with American Football and Netball equals Ultimate Frisbee.
There are no referee’s to stop the flow of the game because the decision ultimately lies with the players. Auckland University ‘Team Canary Death’ player Adam Lothian said, “It’s ridiculously fun. Everyone that plays is good spirited and if you’re not good spirited then everyone doesn’t like you and you don’t play.” Seven teams are competing against each other for the real Ultimate Frisbee experience.

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Windy Conditions no obstacle

Forget the rain; it’s the wind that could prove tricky for the Uni Games’ BMX riders today. The head wind on the first and third straights of the track could be a problem for the events 16 competitors. General weather conditions will slow riders down, but shouldn’t hinder their performance too much. Good riders always shine!

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Refs Call

Atrocious weather conditions, muddy grounds and a slippery ball have not delayed the first day of the touch competition.Touch co-ordinator Laurie Watt said day one is looking promising but she is concerned with the weather and the affects it may have have on the players."Its wet and windy out there for the players and their safety is our main priority."A suggestion has been made to the match officials cancel the games if the dreadful weather permits."If the weather is too bad they have the authority to call the game off, said Watt."

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Competition Favorites Don’t Disappoint

A last minute challenge by Massey Palmerston Norths, Gregory Marfell was not enough to deny Alex Cull, AUT victory. As expected local girl, Monique Avery won the women’s 40km race comfortably with only two contestants challenging for the title.
No sooner than the flag fell, down came the rain and up came the wind, it wasn’t the most enjoyable race for them out there but they rode hard and honest.
Several of the riders will now compete in Tomorrows Mountain Biking event.

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All eyes On Team Monash

Current title holders of the Australian University Games for Netball, Team Monash are the ones too look out for.
Coach Gillian Lee is using the earlier matches as a way to combat the NZ way of play.
“The biggest thing is the difficult style of play, the kiwis play a more area defence, we’re a lot more man to man,” she said.
Majority of her players are in top Australian grades and she is confident her team will make the finals.
“Our attack is a lot shorter and sharper,” she said.
 

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There was more water over head in the bus...

Surfing boys and girls were in for a treat today and they didn't even know it. It wasn't the lack of surf or the fact that it rained in Raglan. But that their bus contained more water over head from the rain than what there was in the surf. The adventure didn't stop there. The trip home proved exciting with a slip here and a flood there.

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Skyline Skyrides Uni Luge Night

The Macquarie Waterpolo team were not about to allow a 'little rain' get in their way of fun! 

Last  seen heading down the side of Mt Ngongotaha........................

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EZE Win

Mark Epati (EZE)from UNITEC blitzed his competitors in the inaugural 'Rock Paper Scissors' tournament in the Dominos Chill Out Zone tonight. He won a food voucher from Domino's and dedicated his winnings to the boys from the UNITEC basketball team cos they ran outta food!

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Kelly Swanson-Roe

Former Massey University student Kelly Swanson-Roe made an apperance at the 2008 University Games headquarters at Novotel Hotel Rotorua.

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Photos

Te Arawa welcome Team MONASH onto Tangatarua Marae

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Photos

Otago Womens Soccer Team

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Photos

Michael Graham from VIC gets a taste of the weather.

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