During the off season period Keegan has been training hard and working on power and strength. At a recent test met he took 1 second off his personal best for 100m.

With a world wide change in the process used to classify cerebral palsy para athletes and make it fairer for participants, there is a big group of athletes going to the Australian Champs in March at which met athletes will be reclassified.

Keegan’s participation will provide focus on what will be required to represent NZ at the Paralympics in 2020.

His goal for the coming season is to break his own NZ Record in the 100m and 400m whilst also doing his first season in long jump.

Upcoming events include:

16-19 FEBRUARY

Auckland Track

24-25 FEBRUARY

Waikato Champs

2-4 MARCH

Australian Champs (plus reclassification)

9-11 MARCH

NZ Champs

Lucy achieved outstanding results in 2017:

Australian Surf Life Saving Pool Rescue Championships 2017 -

gold U17 4x25m manikin relay, silver U17 100m manikin tow with fins

New Zealand Surf Life Saving Pool Rescue Championships 2017

gold U19 women 100m manikin tow with fins, broke the U19 women 100m manikin tow with fins record with a time of 1.03.4 , gold U19 women 100m manikin carry with fins, gold U19 women 4x50m medley relay, silver U19 women line throw, silver U19 women 200m super lifesaver, silver U19 women manikin 4x25m relay - 50 swim U19 women with fins

Lucy also competed in the New Zealand National Surf Life Saving Championships in October 2017. She won the 100m under 19 women’s manikin carry with fins, the 4 x 50 under 19 women’s medley relay and the 100m under 19 women’s manikin tow with fins and also broke the record as a first year in the under 19 category with a time of 1.03.44. She claimed a silver in the under 19 women’s line throw, under 19 women’s 200 super lifesaver, the under 19 women’s 4 x 50 manikin carry relay and a bronze in the under 19 women’s 50m with fins.

Injury in the Northern Regionals in November 2017 meant Lucy was out for 6 weeks undergoing acupuncture and physiology to recover and repair her calf muscle. She is now back into full training.

2018 events for Lucy include the following:

27-28 JANUARY

Eastern Regional Surf Life Saving Championships, Mt Mangonui

28 JANUARY

New Zealand Surf Life Saving Rep Challenge, Mt Mangonui

23-24 FEBRUARY

Northern Regional Surf Life Saving Championships, Ruakaka

MARCH 15-18

New Zealand National Surf Life Saving Championships, Gisborne

Nicole is actively involved with training and gym work with the NZ Development Squad and hopes to make the NZ under 20’s World Cup squad for the World Cup tournament in France, August 2018. NZ qualified by winning the Oceanic Group in July 2017.

Nicole’s team, Eastern Suburbs, came second in the Auckland Women’s Championship. A highlight was being picked for the Auckland Women’s squad to play in the NZ Women’s National League. The Auckland team went on to win the NZ Women’s National Title (first title since 2009).

She started every game for Auckland except for the final which she missed after getting two yellow cards. She was able fly to Christchurch to celebrate the team’s success of a nail-biting 3-2 win over last years champions Canterbury.

Nathan attended the Gold Coast Fina Diving Grand Prix competition, which is looked on as a trial run for the Commonwealth Games. He competed in the 10m dive against some of the best divers in the world and progressed through to the semi finals. This was the first time Nathan had competed at an international level and finished 12th overall.

He is back to full training after several weeks off with injury. He has increased his trading to 2 sessions daily, learning harder dives and perfecting existing ones on his dive list. He is aiming at front four and half summersaults in tuck off the 10m platform.

Nathan is looking forward to the following events

10-11 FEBRUARY

Auckland Championships

2-4 MARCH

North Island Championships, Wellington

20-22 APRIL

Autumn Nationals / NZ Nationals, Dunedin

Michael is focussing on training hard and racing fast every time he steps behind the start block as he gears for big pinnacle races in 2018. He has been combining boxing training and gym sessions to help improve his performance in the water

In 2017 his achievements include:

OCTOBER 3RD – 10TH 2017 - NZ OPEN SHORT CHAMPIONSHIPS – SIR OWEN GLENN AQUATIC CENTRE, NORTH SHORE

1st - 1500 Freestyle

3rd - 400 Freestyle

8th – 200 Freestyle

NOVEMBER 4TH 2017 – AUCKLAND REVERSE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WESTWAVE AQUATIC CENTRE, HENDERSON

1ST – 800 Freestyle

1TH NOVEMBER 2017 – WATERHOLE LEVEL 1, WESTWAVE AQUATIC CENTRE,

HENDERSON

1st - 1500 Freestyle

2nd – 200 Freestyle

Several injuries during 2017 kept him out of action - arm and knee. He tore a ligament in his knee (ACL injury).

Complications with the knee injury and subsequent operations have delayed Liam’s rehab, exercise and training but he commenced light training early 2018

AS part of his rehabilitation he has been attending soccer traing and assisted the new goalkeeper and attended games to support the team. He travelled to the Gold Coast with the team as the ‘Off Field Captain’.

“It’s very hard missing out on events that I had planned to attend, like NZ Secondary Schools, but with the help of my surgeon, physiology and the Don Oliver Sports Foundation grant Ian on the road to recovery and a return to athletics’, said Liam.

In 2017 Liam won the 14th Grade Team Award for Sportsmanship and the Youth Sportsperson of the Year.

Jack participated in the Titans tag Adult Mixed and Titans Social Mixed Touch during 2017. He received the ‘Best Back Player’ award for the Waitemata Seagulls, Most Valued Player for Touch Rugby Senior Boys for his school, and awards for NZ Sports representative - Tags and NZ representative for Auckland under 15’s mixed touch rugby. He also received the “Sports Master’ award at his 2017 school prize giving and the principals award for ‘service to school’.

He played for NZ Tags T20, under 16 boys during the nationals in January 2018 and is trialling for under 16 Fijian Boys rugby league.

Jack also participates in basketball and is trialling for volleyball in 2018 and is interested in coaching.

The Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation provides financial and other assistance to young West Auckland athletes in any sport, who have the talent, results and X-factor to reach the top of their sport.

Since its inception “The Don Oliver” has given 219 scholarships or training grants to 137 exceptional West Aucklanders aged 14 – 21.

At the 2017 Annual Awards held 20 September at The Trust Arena 20 truly outstanding youngsters were introduced as this years recipients of scholarships and training grants.

View the 2017 recipients>>.

New Trustees Don Oliver Youth Sports Foundation trustees Colleen Acton and Marc and Steve Oliver have had an exceptionally busy year reinvigorating the Foundation.

“We have added three fantastic new trustees who increase our capabilities enormously and give us confidence that we can step up to a whole new level in the next few years,” reports Dai Bindoff, DOYSF chairman.

Stefan Crooks, Angela Hurst and Mike Ocego have joined the DOYSF board. Stefan Crooks is the owner and CEO of Westie Pies (a DOYSF gold sponsor) among other food businesses and has been the driving force behind the revitalisation of the suburbs rugby and their home ground. Angela Hurst is marketing manager of The Trusts and the principal architect of the Million Dollar Mission. The Trusts is Associate Sponsor of the DOYSF. Mike Ocego is the operations manager of The Trusts Arena. “These trustees give us a much enhanced capability in a number of fields, especially fund raising and sponsor seeking, the website and social media and the organisation of various events that we run. In due course we expect the team to be further strengthened with the return of Alan Parry who is on sabbatical in the UK.

Awards Dinner 2017 events include the Awards dinner which we eplan to make a truly glittering event in the West’s social calendar so that we pay due honour to the fantastic young people who, year after year, show us the depth of world class talent in our community. This year we’re honoured to have former Waitakere Mayor Sir Bob Harvey assisting us with the organisation of the dinner. Sir Bob was a founder trustee of the DOYSF 20 years ago and is now an Ambassador.

Helping Young Westie Athletes Prepare For some years now we’ve also been running a series of workshops designed to help young Westie athletes prepare better for their sporting futures: subjects include how to get picked, nutrition, performance development, being drug free, Confidence in a Crowd.

New Initiatives “We have a very exciting initiative under development as this story goes to press, which we believe will make these workshops even more meaningful and absolutely invaluable. They will be open to all young west Auckland sports people and not just scholars,” reports Dai Bindoff.

Secondary Schools Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation Honours Board The Foundation is investigating options to provide all West Auckland secondary schools with a Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation Honours Board with names of all students who have been Don Oliver Scholars, many of whom have gone on to the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Several have become world champions and others have been very achievers internationally.

A new Harry O’Rourke Memorial Award for an outstanding athlete with a disability has been announced by the Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation, as one of several initiatives that will take the organisation to a new level in the coming years. In the meantime applications are open and the closing date will be extended from the advertised end of May to the end of June. Youngsters wanting to apply must be aged between 14 and 21, both birthdays inclusive, pre elite, with a strong record of success and a reputation with their coach/club/teacher as being someone likely to succeed. They must live in West Auckland.

Full details are on the application form.

Trustees are busy creating the annual Awards dinner which will be held as usual, at The Trusts Arena, on Wednesday 20 September, and adding to the scholarships on offer, the new Harry O’Rourke Memorial Scholarship.

Harry O’Rourke was a trustee of the DOYSF for several years after he retired from a lifetime of service to Local Government, culminating with a decade as the CEO of Waitakere City Council. A life long Judoka, Harry was both a black belt as a fighter and one of the sport’s top administrators internationally. He was inspired through his careers by the courage and achievements of our para-athletes. After his death early last year his wife, Jackie, advised that, at Harry’s request she wanted to see a Don Oliver Scholarship for an outstanding para-athlete, added to the annual scholarships. The couple felt strongly that this should be created not only as a memorial to Harry, but also because athletes with disabilities should have the same opportunities as those without.

Coincidentally, the Foundation has this year received its first application from an athlete with a disability, wanting to be considered for a scholarship. “We have always been open to applications from para-athletes but hitherto we’ve not been good at highlighting that fact,” said Dai Bindoff, DOYSF chairman. “We did intend to introduce the memorial scholarship this year anyway and therefore, the application we have received is very timely.” Bindoff said that all applicants would be judged according to their achievements and not on their disability or otherwise.

Outstanding para-athletes who would anyway qualify for a scholarship, would become candidates for the Harry O’Rourke Memorial Scholarship. “We don’t intend this to be a soft option whereby you get a scholarship because you have a disability. Our very demanding selectors judge everyone who applies, on whether they have had the results and have the skill and personal x factor, to reach the very top of their chosen sport, with the potential to succeed on the world stage. “This means that para-athlete applicants will be selected first against the same criteria as the athletes without a disability. That will say both to them and the world that they have been chosen strictly on merit, which is what they want and expect and is fair to all,” Bindoff said.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee, along with Diving New Zealand, have today confirmed the selection of 18-year-old Elizabeth Cui for the Women’s 3m Individual Springboard Diving at the Rio Olympic Games heralding a new era for the sport in New Zealand. Read more

When a shark the size of a surfboard sunk its teeth into his foot, Elliot Paerata-Reid knew exactly what to do.

He remembered his godfather's tale of escaping a great white and kicked the thresher shark in the face.

For many 10-year-olds a shark attack and eight stitches would be enough to put them off going in the water for life.

But at the time it hardly fazed Paerata-Reid, who fast-forward 10 years to today is one of the country's best surfers.

"I feel like I'd be more shaken up if it happened now," he says.

"I pretty much looked it right in the eye ... I still remember what it looked like."

Freestyler Lauren Boyle will lead the team, and alongside breaststroker Glenn Snyders will be attending her third games.

The team equals the highest number of individual swimmers to qualify for the Olympics.

The full squad is Boyle, Snyders, Matthew Stanley, Bradlee Ashby, Helena Gasson, Matthew Hutchins, Corey Main and Emma Robinson.

Lauren Boyle overnight swum into the history books with a NZ record breaking time to take World Championship silver medal in Kazan, Russia.

Photo from @1aurenboyleon instagram

"1aurenboyle: Thank you Thank you Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me on my way! I'm so happy with my silver medal in the 1500 freestyle tonight :) #kazan2015 #swim #smile #swimming #love #grateful #gratitude @speedo @speedoaustralia"

"New Zealand's star of the pool Lauren Boyle has swum herself into New Zealand swimming history with a silver medal at the world championships in Russia.

Boyle finished second behind world record-setting Katie Ledecky (US) in the 1500m freestyle final.

Her fourth medal at this level eclipses the three world championship medals won by double Olympic champion Danyon Loader.

It is only the ninth medal New Zealand has won at the world championships since 1978.

In doing so Boyle smashed her own New Zealand record, clocking a stunning 15:40:14 to take nearly five seconds off her previous record set at the last world championships in Barcelona in 2013.

Boyle, 27, was delighted with a new personal best, as she works towards next year's Rio Olympics.

"Honestly that is the thing I am most proud of," Boyle said. "I think for me improving my time to be better than I have been in the past is the most positive thing and I am so happy to go with a personal best time. That is really exciting.

"I didn't really know what to expect when I was going into race mode. I knew that if I wanted to have any chance I had to go out with a really fast pace. And I think I got into a pretty good rhythm

"I get two full days off now before the 800m which is good. Definitely it should be good. You never quite know what will happen but I am really happy with that swim tonight and it shows I have some really good fitness."

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by D&H Steel Construction

We wish Tadhg campbell all the best in his endevours in USA in furthering his career.

An amazing step in any golfers career is to attend an american college on scholarship. Tadhg has worked extremely hard to get to this point and we know his dedication to his sport will make us proud and he will one day make the whole of New Zealand proud to call him a kiwi.

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported byCroatian Social Golf Club

Climbing 10 metres up then leaping off a ledge is intimidating for most people. Sports reporter Simon Smith talks with Nathan Brown about what it’s like up there on the diving board.

Photo Credit - Cordelai Norris

When Nathan Brown first scaled the top diving board it took him about 15 minutes to jump off. But fast-forward six years and the Henderson 15-year-old is top in the country for his age and doing well on the world stage. This month Nathan came second diving from 10 metres at the 2015 Australian Elite Junior Championships. He also came 10th from 10m at the International Youth Diving Meet in Germany in April. One of the things most people don’t appreciate about diving is the amount of work that goes into it, the Waitakere College student says. Dives build on each other and it takes about 75 attempts to get good at a new one. Nathan trains for three hours five days a week under Olympic coach Steve Gladding at West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre and says diving is harder than many people think. He is focusing on making the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2020 Olympic Games. ‘‘There’s a lot of learning, proper shape and other stuff like how to jump properly on the board, take-offs and endings.’’ About half his time is spent down at the pool and the other half on dry land, including doing flips on to mats. One of his favourite dives from 10m is the backwards half somersault, half twist, ending in a frontal position. He has just mastered a reverse two-and-a-half somersaults in a tuck position from 3m. But all that training pays off once he climbs the ladder to compete. "While I’m up there I don’t really think of anything. ‘‘My mind just goes blank and then once I go it all just comes to me.’’ It’s something to get right as diving can be dangerous, with the chance of hitting the board or falling badly. "I have hitmyfoot which hurts, but if you hit your head you may die,’’ Nathan says. Several years ago he landed flat on his back on the water and got some skeletal bruising. Even so, diving is a sport Nathan recommends to people who don’t have a fear of heights. "It just takes that one brave step and then you have done it,’’ he says of his first jump.

‘‘I like the height and the adrenaline rush that you get."

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by Carlsberg

Massey High School Allumni Dion Smith is on winning form with overall win and young rider of the Cascade Cycling Classic a few weeks back.

"This says it all. Good week with these lads. Team effort kept me in top spot at the Cascade Cycling Classic and Robin Carpenter 2nd. Best Team GC. White Jersey and 2 stage wins. #boomtime" Dion Smith Facebook

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by The Flying Herons

Amazing showing from young Westie Lewis Hollows at U23 World Championships rowing regatta in Bulgaria with a silver medal with the mens Quad team.

"Throughout the years Don Oliver supported Lewis Hollows through his rowing journey. Today he proudly stood on the podium at the U23 World Rowing Champs in Bulgaria to receive a Silver medal in the Mens Quad. Thank you for believing and supporting a young man who had a dream. " posted by Monique Hollows on Don Oliver Facebook Page.

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by Douglas Charitable Trust

Congratulations to Lizzie Cui and LIam Stone who finished 11th in the world at World Championships.

"Finished 11th with a personal best score and a diving New Zealand national record, in my final event, mixed synchro at the 2015 Fina World Championships in Kazan, Russia! It was such an amazing championships to be apart of and I can't wait to be apart of many more! Thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to be here and have supported me the whole way through! ft. Pinwheel dive from the event "

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by The Trusts

Stephanie Mckenzie is currently based in the states with the NZ sprinters taking on the series of races out there as part of her the Team Novo Nordisk operation.

"Happy to get up for second here in the Colorado Springs Grand Prix Keirin behind the fast improving & talented dutch Olympic Bronze medalist speed skater! "

Keep an eye on her facebook page for some amazing race shots from the series.

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by Rotary Club of Henderson

Nathan Brown diving high!!

"Glad to be back after a great competition over at the Australian Elite Junior Champs.

I came 2nd on platform, 3rd in synchro, 4th in 1m and 3m.

Special thanks to Don Oliver Youth Sports Foundation, RSA Henderson, Lions (Henderson and Te Atatu), and of course my school Waitakere College."

taken from Nathan Browns Facebook Page

Again some amazing results from this young man and more to come. Watch this space.

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by Alloy Yachts

Phillip Ryan takes 10th at University Games in Korea over the last week.

"10th today in the 10km open water race at world uni games, ups and downs in the race with room for improvement. Happy with the last 5km in hot conditions."

Congratulations on a strong showing in a world class field Phillip.

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by Molloy Furniture

Tyla Nathan-Wong is an ambassador for an event to raise fund for Canteen.

"We're very pleased to announce Tyla Nathan-Wong as an ambassador of The Crank Auckland! Tyla has been tearing up the Women's Sevens Series the past couple of seasons and is one of the promising members of the SKY NEXT team. We're all excited to see what she can bring to the RPM® world."

The Crank is New Zealand’s only RPM® cycling fundraising event of its kind – aiming to raise funds for young kiwis in New Zealand living with cancer.

Join Tyla on Firday 21st August for a couple of hours in the morning before attending our dinner in the evening!!

Lewis Hollows is part of the New Zealand Mens U23 Quadruple Sculls Crew that will compete at the U23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in July 2015, in this, his 5th year representing NZ.

"I started rowing back in 2008 for St Peters College in Auckland, and ever since then it has become a passion of mine. The dedication have put towards rowing has been huge, training 13 to 14 times per week consumes a lot of time and and it has become the biggest part of my life for the last 5 years. This is why the sport is so important to me, without it I'm really not sure what I would be doing!

I’ve previously competed at the World Junior Champs in 2011, spent 2012 and 2013 in the NZ U21 Team and last year I was in the Quadruple Sculls that competed at the U23 World Champs in Italy.

My ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics and competing at the U23 World Champs in July is the most important step towards this dream so far."

from Lewis givealittle page.

From everyone at Don Oliver Youth Sports Foundation and West Auckland we wish you all the best Lewis!!

Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation proudly supported by Canam Construction.