Latest news with #Canterbury-based
Scoop
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Sprinter Calls For Volunteers To Help At Special Olympics
Tiaan Whelpton, who graduated from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science, is now a record-breaking professional sprinter and an ambassador for the upcoming Special Olympics New Zealand 2025 National Summer Games. The 25-year-old, who earlier this year broke the record for the fastest 100m time clocked by a Kiwi runner on a New Zealand track, is currently competing in athletics competitions in Europe. But he's keen to encourage people back home – including UC staff and students - to volunteer for the National Summer Games, which will be held in Christchurch from December 10 to 14. The athletes taking part range in age from 14 to their 70s – all with an intellectual disability. 'Sport is obviously a big part of my life and it's a wonderful thing that, in my mind, everyone should be part of. It shouldn't be limited to a certain group of people,' Whelpton says. 'For everyone who wants to come down and volunteer I think it will be a really good time and they'll have the best seats in the house. This could be the pinnacle event for these athletes in their entire lives, so it's only fair to make sure they get all the support they need to make it a real success. I know UC students are really great at volunteering with one in three taking part in some kind of voluntary work.' UC is working alongside Special Olympics New Zealand (SONZ) for the summer games, providing accommodation in its halls of residence for over 1300 athletes, coaches and support staff, and hosting a games village on campus. Whelpton has already met some of the Canterbury-based athletes who will be competing in the games, which are held every four years. 'It's pretty cool – there's a whole bunch of different athletes and sports. It's a melting pot of different personalities, so I'm excited to see how it turns out. 'I also think it's amazing that we're holding such a big event in Christchurch. I know it's going to be great fun and I'm looking forward to it.' SONZ Chief Executive Fran Scholey says the support from sports people like Tiaan, and the other ambassadors, helps showcase the incredible achievements of Special Olympics athletes, clubs and team management. 'It's no small feat to prepare for games of this scale and we are incredibly grateful to Tiaan – who is a real advocate for inclusion.' Whelpton is hoping to break the New Zealand men's international record 100m time of 10.08 seconds during his European athletics season. He's already achieved 10.10 seconds, so he's within a tantalising two-one-hundredths of a second of reaching his goal. 'I'm feeling pretty good, we've had some good numbers in the gym and on the track, I've got the New Zealand record to break now. I think I haven't run by best time yet this season, so I'm very excited to get back on the track,' he says. The Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games will draw athletes from 42 clubs across New Zealand. The games, which include opening and closing ceremonies, are being held at sporting facilities across Christchurch, including Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub and the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. Over 650 volunteers are needed to help out at the upcoming games, with roles including helping at medal ceremonies, sport management and photography. Visit here to find out more and sign up as a 2025 National Summer Games volunteer.
Otago Daily Times
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Crusaders see off Reds for spot in semis
It wasn't pretty, but the Crusaders have recorded a dominant 32-12 win over the Reds in Christchurch. Friday night's result means the Crusaders can sit back and watch Saturday's games to find out who they'll play in next weekend's semi-finals, while the Reds will be wondering where it all went wrong after such a promising start to the season. A good start would be to look at their scrum, which was smashed to bits by the Crusaders from start to finish in tough conditions in Christchurch thanks to the horrific weather battering the South Island. Crusaders front rowers Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams. The Crusaders racked up a 5-0 penalty count early in the first half, with three coming off scrums which in turn were converted into excellent field position. Scott Barrett got the home side on the board first with a well-taken yet slightly questionable try from a turnover near the Reds' line. It certainly appeared that the All Blacks captain came in from an offside position but the referee and TMO seemed more preoccupied with whether Barrett grounded the ball, which he did, so the try stood. The only other scoring in the first half, despite a couple of decent Reds linebreaks, was when Tamaiti Williams crashed over in the 27th minute. The Reds really needed to score straight after the break if they were to have any chance, however by that stage the game had regressed into more of a kicking duel. A half break by Christian Lio-Willie out of nowhere set up the try of the match to Noah Hotham, with the halfback regathering his own kick despite the attention of several Reds defenders. From then on, the result was inevitable, and while the Reds were eventually rewarded with a couple of late tries, it was clear that they'd resigned themselves to defeat long before. It wasn't all perfect for the Crusaders, though. Williams' try was his last act before leaving the field with a knee injury, while Ethan Blackadder was yellow-carded for a needless high tackle. Still, the job was done, and the Canterbury-based side now sit one game away from ultimate redemption for last season.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Battery storage site plans for solar farm
A battery storage site the size of almost nine football pitches could be built on farmland near a Kent hamlet. Sky UK Development has submitted a planning application for a battery energy storage system (Bess) by Canterbury Road, 0.5km (0.3 miles) from Calcott, near Sturry. The 227.5 megawatt facility is planned to be "temporary and reversible," with a lifespan of 40 years after which all the facilities will be removed. Any development which would generate more than 50MW needs permission directly from the government to be built. Bosses for Sky UK Development argue the 10.6 acre plot is ideal for the project because it is close to "an available and viable point of grid connection" and located in an area with some existing industrial elements. The project would require a long underground cable to connect to the grid at the Canterbury North substation about 4km south. Battery storage systems hold power from renewables, including solar and wind, and then release it when needed. The batteries are usually housed in shipping containers. David Browne, of Canterbury-based solar firm Convert Energy, said the Bess was needed to "make the best use of" renewable energy projects in the area such as the Woodlands Farm solar development in Sturry Hill. The project will involve building infrastructure, access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter and access gates as well as fencing with CCTV cameras, Sky UK Development says. In February 2024, Swale Borough Council rejected safety plans for the Bess at Cleve Hill Solar Park near Faversham over fire concerns. Their rejection was later ruled unlawful by the government and overturned. The systems usually use lithium batteries, which cannot be directly extinguished with water, but most systems in the country have run without issue, the Local Democracy Reporting Service says. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Battery storage plan at solar farm is refused Plans for battery energy storage site on airfield Local Democracy Reporting Service Canterbury City Council
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Kent: Battery storage site planned near Canterbury hamlet
A battery storage site the size of almost nine football pitches could be built on farmland near a Kent UK Development has submitted a planning application for a battery energy storage system (Bess) by Canterbury Road, 0.5km (0.3 miles) from Calcott, near 227.5 megawatt facility is planned to be "temporary and reversible," with a lifespan of 40 years after which all the facilities will be development which would generate more than 50MW needs permission directly from the government to be built. Bosses for Sky UK Development argue the 10.6 acre plot is ideal for the project because it is close to "an available and viable point of grid connection" and located in an area with some existing industrial project would require a long underground cable to connect to the grid at the Canterbury North substation about 4km storage systems hold power from renewables, including solar and wind, and then release it when batteries are usually housed in shipping Browne, of Canterbury-based solar firm Convert Energy, said the Bess was needed to "make the best use of" renewable energy projects in the area such as the Woodlands Farm solar development in Sturry project will involve building infrastructure, access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter and access gates as well as fencing with CCTV cameras, Sky UK Development February 2024, Swale Borough Council rejected safety plans for the Bess at Cleve Hill Solar Park near Faversham over fire rejection was later ruled unlawful by the government and systems usually use lithium batteries, which cannot be directly extinguished with water, but most systems in the country have run without issue, the Local Democracy Reporting Service says.
