Well what they lost in the netball yesterday they made up for in the rugby today. The Parliamentary XV took on the Buccaneers Golden Oldies and won 32-20. Because I had organised the whole weekend (my bid to host the Parliamentary netball and rugby teams was drawn from a ballot by the Speaker) I got to be a commentator in the box with John Carter and knowledgable funny man Ken Laban.
Highlight of the game for me – apart from being a commentator on the game as it went out LIVE on Sky Rugby! – was meeting that nice Todd Blackadder (see previous post on this issue) who was playing for the Buccaneers. Every now and then he reminded the Parliamentary XV that there was some talent in the Buccaneers and that they shouldn’t be taken for granted. I know I look a bit starry-eyed in this pic but I am sure my mother would have approved of him… wouldn’t have changed anything though!
Money raised at last night’s function plus today’s match has yet to be totalled but it will be a nice little earner for the Nelson Environment Centre. They threw themselves into it and the whole weekend has been great. They awarded prizes for the 350 competition (how to draw attention to the need for the Earth’s atmosphere to get below 350 parts of carbon dioxide per million – see 350.org for more info) to Nayland College students Jack, Sharon and Lana. They got some money from the Nelson Mayor, Kerry Marshall and the Nelson Environment Centre.
* The final photo here is of Mayor Kerry Marshall and Katy Steele from the Nelson Environment Centre presenting cheques to winners of 350.org competition – my interview with them went out on Sky thanks to Tony O’Brien.
Wish I’d been there Maryan. Next time. I want to be in the netball team. I guess I’ll find out if I’ve still got any talent (centre).
Yes thanx for supporting such a good cause Maryan
wish i could have got there
looks like a top weekend Maryan (and the Makos beat Auckland!). Well done!
I’d pay to see a sporting matching with the MPs. Great to see you having fun.