March 24 2026
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Dusty road to victory Four decades of brigadiers Celebrating 40 years since the First Dargaville Girls’ Brigade was inaugurated in 1986, the local club is …
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p A rider in this weekend’s motocross championship at Redhill, south of Dargaville, powers through the dust on a lap around the challenging Dargaville MX Club track. Riders of all ages and classes turned out to battle on a stunning early-autumn day, making the coastal hills ring with the sound of horsepower.
Fostering sporting aspirations
Tinopai’s big contest gears up “This event is so much more than just a fishing competition. It is our biggest annual fundraiser and a true …
u by Amy Fifita
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Northland urged to seize opportunities Northland is entering a period of significant opportunity, says the chair of the Joint Regional Economic …
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Dargaville High School students recently immersed themselves in the world of professional sports at the Blues Leadership Camp in Auckland. “The Blues Leadership Camp teaches students about what the professional environment is like, and what the discipline needs to get there. It also helps with self-leadership and teamwork,” said coach Peter Hugo. “My job is to guide them with the rugby principles to get to that level and to play to the best of their ability. You have to keep the franchise strong with their behaviour and look after your investors. Those are some topics which they learned about over the weekend.” Benjamin Leao was one of the students who attended the camp and returned to school with a wealth of knowledge about
what it takes to become a professional rugby player. “Rugby is all I wanted to do since I was a child, and I played all of the grades, until I got an injury in the under11s and began playing again two years ago. I was excited to go down to the Blues Leadership Camp,” said Benjamin. “The camp was fun, and we learned a lot, and we had amazing experiences like watching the Warriors’ game, and I want to go far in the sport.” New to rugby this year, Harvest Kakara also attended the camp. She said it was good fun and encouraged her to be courageous. “It taught us a lot about leadership and how to step out of your
comfort zone, even if you’re scared. I started playing rugby this year, but I’m stronger at netball, so I aim to become a professional netball player. This is an opportunity to go professional in rugby,” said Harvest. Having worked with previous students who have been successful in their sporting aspirations, Mr Hugo says he and the school want to give students the best shot at their goals. The excursion was part of the newly-formed DHS Rugby Academy. “We want to build something in the school where we can be rugby proud, and help our students to harness their talent,” coach Hugo said. ¢
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