Latest news with #NationalSchools
The Star
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
From playground to podium, Goh sows Olympics seed through Kidslympic
One for the album: Former mixed doubles shuttler Goh Liu Ying (back row, centre) posing with participants of the Kidslympic programme. PETALING JAYA: Kids can start their journey towards realising their Olympic dreams from a young age thanks to Kidslympic Malaysia. Former shuttler Goh Liu Ying, who captured silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Chan Peng Soon in the mixed doubles, started the initiative to encourage more children under the age of 12 to take up sports. In this year's edition, athletics, swimming, 3x3 basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics and obstacle race will be contested from Oct 10-12 at PNB Merdeka Ventures Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The event was launched on Sunday, thanks to the partnership with Affin Bank and Watsons Malaysia as the main partners. 'I started Kidslympic with the main intention of helping children develop a better understanding of health and fitness,' said Liu Ying. 'For kids who may be interested in pursuing sports professionally but are still unsure of where their strengths lie, Kidslympic can serve as a platform for them to explore and discover which type of sport suits them best. 'This is actually one of the first sporting events in Malaysia specifically for children under the age of 12. 'It's somewhat similar to National Schools (MSSM) or inter schools championships but without the pressure and competitiveness that often come with it. 'MSSM have limited slots and requires students to go through school-based selections, but Kidslympic is open to all primary school children under 12, giving more kids the opportunity to participate,' added Liu Ying. Liu Ying's achievements as an athlete also spurred her to create Kidslympic. Kidslympic was first held last December and featured five sports – athletics, softball, volleyball, gymnastics and modern pentathlon, where 800 took part.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Webley Takes Next Step In Racing Career With Toyota 86 Trophy Run
At just 15 years old, Conley – a Year 11 student at Waimea College in Richmond – has already amassed a wide range of racing experience. He started racing at just eight years old on the dirt in quarter midgets. Having gained a top three national nomination he moved into Youth Ministocks at 12 and currently holds both the NZ and South Island '1' nominations. At 11 he started karting and recently took a top ten placing at the National Schools event. His first experience of circuit racing came two years later at 13 in the South Island 2K Cup and the Mag & Turbo Series. Now, the competitive arena of Toyota 86 racing is his next big stepping stone. 'The Toyota 86 Trophy Series looks like it is going to be competitive and a respected development series in New Zealand,' he said. 'It's the perfect step up to hone my skills in a challenging car, gain crucial seat time, and learn from some of the best in the country. It's also a great platform for exposure and development heading into endurance racing later in the year.' Conley will join experienced team Action Motorsport for the four round series, which gets underway at Hampton Downs this weekend. Even though he won't step into the car until Friday practice, he's excited about the challenge that lies ahead, adding: 'I haven't driven the TR86 yet my first time will be this Friday but I'm really looking forward to getting behind the wheel and seeing how I adapt to it. 'I've been watching as much onboard footage as possible to learn the tracks and cars behaviour. I've also spent time on the simulator and going over data to prepare mentally and technically for the step up. 'I'm looking forward to Hampton Downs particularly. Being from the South Island, I haven't had much track time up north, but I've done a few laps at Hampton Downs and really enjoyed the technical features of the circuit. I'm also looking forward to learning more tracks as the season progresses too.' Conley will tackle the Manfeild and Taupo race tracks as well as this weekend's opener at Hampton Downs in a campaign supported by Tyre World Richmond, Express Lube WOF and Tyres, Waimea Vehicle Testing Station, MTF Finance Richmond and MEC NZ. 2025 Toyota 86 Trophy Series Rd1 9-10 May 2025 Hampton Downs - NZIGP Finale Rd2 21-22 June 2025 Taupo Int. Motorsport Park - Taupo Winter Series Rd3 5-6 July 2025 Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon - Manfeild Winter Series
