Five Mid Cantabrians tackled the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood last month, including Layna Hunt (left) and Tilly Smith. Photo supplied.Young Mid Cantabrians have returned from the World Championship of Performing Arts with stars in their eyes, medals around their necks and a world of opportunities at their feet.

Dancer Krishay Nadan (15) along with singers Ocean Waitoka (14), Liam Pram (15), Tilly Smith (17) and Layna Hunt (25), jetted to Hollywood in June to show their skills as members of the New Zealand Black Stars.

A total of 26 New Zealand Black Stars performed at the championships, but Mid Cantabrians were particularly high achievers.

The five performers flew back with a heavy haul of silver and bronze medals.

Ocean described the trip as “just the best experience” and said the opportunity had helped to broaden her horizons.

“Seeing all the different styles and the way people express themselves – I feel like I can do more now.

“I’m a country singer but I want to try other styles now.”

Layna also described the trip as a “once in a lifetime experience” which has inspired her to work harder at honing her skills in musical theatre.

The championships ran over 10 days and included vocal, dance, modelling and acting categories. Performers had to take the stage multiple times and show their aptitude across styles.

For Liam, a guitar singer, it meant refining his ability to perform western, rock, world and original genres.

“There were about 200 people watching each performance … I guess it was a little scary,” he said.

“But I won silver in all of my categories.”

Krishay said he liked the experience so much that he intends to return in two years’ time to dance in the next age range up.

However, it wasn’t all easy going.

“I couldn’t actually practice because I rolled my ankle before the competition,” he said … but now I’m third best in the world.”

The opportunity to see the sights of Hollywood was also embraced by the performers, who had worked hard in the weeks leading up to the event to fundraise travel costs through sausage sizzles, raffles and busking.

“I’ve never really travelled before, said Layna, and it was a great experience.

“In our spare time we could walk around and explore … I was particularly lucky because (being older) I didn’t have to have my parents with me.”

For now, it’s back to study and work for the five, but not without heaps of new friends, performing arts inspiration, and newfound stardom having out their names on the world stage.

“It’s been a pretty big step,” Liam said.

By Katie Todd © The Ashburton Guardian - 14 August 2017

The AshHutt Girls’ Combined 1st XV were able to overcome Timaru Girls’ High School on Wednesday night to finish the season unbeaten. Photo Jaime Pitt-MacKayAfter a long season, the AshHutt Girls’ Combined 1st XV have wrapped up another successful season with a trophy, also with the added bonus of finishing the season undefeated.

They played their last game of the season against Timaru Girls’ High School on Wednesday evening.

Despite eventually running out 62-40 winners, coach Grant Elvines said the match was a lot closer than the scoreboard showed.

“We had to work bloody hard to get the result,” he said.

“They made us work for it and it was a good final.

“There was some good running rugby.”

Elvines said to see over 100 points in a finals game was a sign of the high level of rugby on show.

“Some points were good but some points did get a bit ugly and fell apart,” he said.

“In set pieces we were dominant but there were times where we let them in.

“We were 30-odd points up and just let them back in to the game and it was 43-26 at half-time.

“There was a lot of soul searching from the girls and a few motivational speeches at half-time to get them over the line.”

The win wraps up an unbeaten season for the side, where Timaru Girls’ were their toughest opposition throughout.

After two close results during the season, Elvines said the girls knew what they would be up against coming in to the final, and that the result could have easily gone either way.

This was the first year Ashburton College and Mount Hutt College had combined their girls’ rugby teams, and Elvines said the process could not have gone any better.

“There is a great atmosphere and the girls just get on really well,” he said.

“They just have fun playing their rugby.

“I remember back when I was playing in boys’ rugby everyone would be quiet and head in to the game, but these girls are yahooing and dancing before the game, and they are doing the exact same afterwards.”

While the challenge of entering the University of Canterbury girls’ competition nearly happened, Elvines said they made the decision to stay in the Aoraki competition for logistical reasons.

Removing the opportunity for girls to be selected for the Hanan Shield XV, as well as them having to take several periods off school every Wednesday just would not have worked, he said.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 11 August 2017

Hugh Donaldson. Photo suppliedWhat was supposed to be a winter break to focus on study has turned in to a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with the best of the best for young water-skier Hugh Donaldson. Donaldson was initially selected to the New Zealand team for the 2017 IWWF World Waterski Open Championships as a reserve, but was given the call-up after one of the team members was injured.

“I saw on Facebook a few pictures of him with a cast on his ankle and stuff so we rung the coach to find out what was going on,” he said.

“It was a bit of a surprise and I am quite excited to be going.”

It will be the second time Donaldson has attended a world event this year, having competed at the Junior Worlds in Chile back in January, where he placed eighth, equalling his personal best in the slalom event and finishing as the top Australasian points scorer.

Hugely supportive mum Janeen said the opportunity to go to the open worlds at this young age is something very special.

“He has plenty of time ahead of him so we will be going in with the main goal of breaking pbs (personal bests),” she said.

“It will be a whole different level for him and will be a great experience.”

Hugh, along with brother George, will spend the next month training in Florida before travelling on to Paris for the world championships, beginning on September 3 and running through till September 11.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 5 August 2017