The Niemi Family – Olympia to New Zealand
RWAFC Prize Giving
Tonight the Roslyn Wakari AFC had their annual prize giving. Hank received the Most Valuable Player award for 10th Grade White. This is his second MVP award in 3 years. Although Ginny didn’t receive any awards, her team had several players on the Otago Representative Team, and 4 players on the Federation Team. I’ve posted an album to facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=150630&id=543764697&l=5d3e1cb8d0
Football season began today. We have a bit of a logistical problem, because Ginny has joined Hank in the Roslyn Wakari AFC, and they play either 1 hour off or at the same time, and today Hank was in Mosgiel and Ginny was at the home ground of Ellis Park, Hank at 9:30 and Ginny at 10:30. Luckily it worked out today because I drove Hank, while Ginny and Fa were able to walk to Ellis from our home. Hank and I got to Seddon Park at 9:00 and join his new team, Roslyn Wakari 10th Grade White. After only 1 practice, we had to play one of the toughest team, Mosgiel. Unfortunately, we lost badly, but Hank said he really enjoyed it. He played goal keeper for one half and did very well. I think the team has potential, but they’re going to need to do a lot of practice to get better.
After the game, Hank and I went to Ellis to see Ginny’s game. Ginny and Fa walked to the park, taking half and hour to climb up and then down the Roslyn hill. By the time we got there the game had started. Now this is the 14th/15th Grade Roslyn team, because there apparently weren’t enough players for a 12th or 13th Grade team, where Ginny would naturally fit in. So she’s playing way over her head on this team. This is a boys team, but there are 3 other girls, all older than Ginny. Though it’s pretty tough for her to keep up with a bunch of 14 and 15 year-olds, she does enjoy it. She played for about 10-15 minutes and made a couple of defensive plays to help the team. We won by about 5 goals or so. The team is great to watch and Ginny is learning a lot playing with great players.
Ginny also plays on her high school team, but they haven’t sorted the team out yet. Hopefully we’ll see them play after the holidays coming up.
It’s so much fun to watch soccer again. We’re looking forward to a great season.
Apologies for the lack of posts lately. Seems like not a lot has been going on. Microblogging takes any energy I have for posting. See the new twitter gadget on the side there.
Summer has ended, but it still feels pretty warm most days. Leaves are just starting to turn.
Cricket has ended. Last night the Kaikorai club had it’s year-end prize giving at the Kaikorai Rugby club. Hank’s team, Section 4 Vipers, gave the MVP to Josh Mackey, the Most Improved award to Mamea Taimalie, and the Coach’s Choice award to Eathan Rowe. I have one ok picture out of a bunch taken too far away, as usual. Last year I made a video of a game, which I gave out at the prize giving, but this year my computer woes prevented me from doing it again. Sorry to the players, especially.
Roslyn Wakari AFC soccer practice began. Again we had a bit of a snafu, with Hank being assigned to the wrong team, or at least not the one we specified. He has decided to give 10th grade white a try, at least for a few games. I guess I can’t complain too much, since it’s all run be voluteers, and they have a tough time getting people to coach and organize every year. This year there is a coach, which is good. And this year Ginny has joined the club too, although in the 14th/15th grade, playing with mostly boys. We haven’t had a practice or met the team yet, so we’ll see what that’s like tomorrow.
Ginny’s OGHS soccer is also beginning today, but not sure yet which team she’s on. Will know in about an hour.
What else is going on? Ummmm… Working every day. OGHS Fair this weekend. Playing lots of golf, although not getting much better. Phil’s hurt so I’m looking for squash players. Looking forward to a visit from Corinna and Rachel next week, and then Fa’s friend Casey a week later.
Biggest thing coming up: I’m flying to Olympia on 1 June for 3 months.
See you on facebook and twitter.
I’ve been getting way behind in blogging so I’ll start trying to catch up. Last week Hank and Ginny had a 3 day soccer camp at Sunnyvale. We dropped them off each day at 9:00 AM and picked them up at 3:00 PM. This camp was put on by Soccer South and run by Andrew Boyens and his wife. Andrew is a Dunedin native who plays for the New York Red Bulls in the US and Canadian Major League Soccer. He also plays for the New Zealand national team, the All Whites. The camp ended on Friday with a World Cup. Hank’s team, Argentina, made the semi-finals, losing to the eventual champion Germany. The World Cup was followed by prize giving. Hank was awarded the “Most Improved” prize for his age group, which included a pass to Moana pool. 
Ginny’s team did not win but she was an inspir
ing force on the field. Hank and Ginny both really enjoyed the camp.
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