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Cycling
Over the last few decades cycling has become an increasingly popular school sport. Competitive cycling was first introduced at school level in 1968 when the New Zealand Schools Cycling Association was established. The organisation is now known as BikeNZ Schools. Since 1971, the main cycling event has been a time trial in which teams of five cyclists (seniors) or four cyclists (juniors) race against the clock, over a 16km course.
In 1979, a points race was introduced where cyclists competing in their specific age groups sprint to gain points while racing around a 1-3km circut course. This makes for some very close quarters racing and is exciting for racers and spectators alike. In 1986, a girl's grade was introduced which is now the fastest growing area of the sport and in 1999 a road race competition was introduced. At this stage schools compete locally, regionally and nationally in all three events – the team time trial, points race and road race. In 2009, cycling started as a winter sport at King's College. There may have been individual cyclists at King's previously but cycling does not appear to have been present as an organised team sport prior to this date. Initially three teams competed within the fiercely contested Auckland time trial competition, finishing the season a very credible mid-pack out of 40-odd teams. The following year saw King's contesting the Auckland regional competition as well as the North Island Secondary Schools Championship and the annual National cycling event held each year in the Manawatu. Given their novice status the teams showed a lot of promise. In 2011, cycling at King's College started with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. The cycling ranks grew to include two junior squads as well as the two senior teams. Following on from last year’s fantastic coaching effort the team is thrilled to have both Jianni Koutsos (St John's 1984) and Scott Kuegler (Major 1985) return to continue the progress that they established in 2010. For the third year running Mr Mahendra Naidoo continues to serve as teacher-in-charge of cycling. During the 2011 season, a three-day cycling camp in the Waikato held over the last week of the term-one holidays was thoroughly enjoyed by all the cyclists, the coaches and parents. The weekend served to sharpen the tough physical and mental requirements for the season’s competitions. The first of seven Auckland schools team time trials kicked off on Sunday 15 May with some very close racing. The seniors are well ahead of where they were at the same time last year placing 10th out of 40 teams (senior B going 25 seconds quicker than the whole of last year) while the first time juniors finished a pleasing 20th out of 43 teams. Only a few minutes separate the leaders so there was considerable anticipation within the team to go faster during the rest of the season. If you are looking for a really exciting sport, a great team spirit and want to have some fun cycling for Kings then please contact Mr Naidoo at school or Oliver Pinfold (Major), the cycling team captain. Mahendra Naidoo |
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