SML Week 1 Day 5

Bonus Activity: #EarnTheFern

After the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, New Zealand became a

British colony. Many other countries in the world are also British

colonies including Canada, South Africa, Australia, India and Malaysia.

As a group they were, and still are, called the ‘Commonwealth’ countries.

Years ago, a man named Melville Marks Robertson was asked to organize

a sporting competition for people living in the Commonwealth countries.

It is called the Commonwealth Games. The first ever event took place in

Hamilton, Canada in 1930.

Athletes from New Zealand have competed in the Commonwealth

Games for years. In the most recent Commonwealth Games event in

Glasgow, Scotland New Zealand athletes won a total of 45 medals.

The next Commonwealth Games will be held in 2018 in the

Gold Coast, Australia. Hundreds of athletes are competing for the chance to

represent NZ at the games (to 'Earn the Fern').

One of New Zealand’s gold-medal-winning Commonwealth athletes

was a man named Bill Kini. Bill won a gold medal at the 1966

Commonwealth Games for being the best heavyweight boxer. He

was a man of many talents! He played rugby in Ōtāhuhu in the 1960s and later

moved to Whangarei.

Imagine that you could interview Bill. What would you ask him about

his time at the 1966 Commonwealth Games. What would you want to know?

I’d like to know how he had time to train for two sports at once.

4 question I would ask Bill Kini:

1. How does it feel being the best heavyweight boxer?
2. Did rugby help you in your boxing currier?
3. Which sport would you rather recommend?
4. Are you proud to be representing New Zealand?

BONUS POINTS: 8