Adrian Seconi

Dame Lois Muir believes netball's version of twenty/20 will see a new style of player emerge and the longer form of the game eventually evolve.

Shortly after arriving in India, the Otago Volts cricket team got an insight into what life will be like during the next few weeks at the Champions League.

Defending champion Green Island got the summer off to a positive start thanks to a fine century from Jordan Sheed.

Former Otago Rebels coach Janine Southby has an unenviable task - to help close the gap on Australia.

It all ended very badly for Otago but coach Nicola Jones believes her side gave a good account of itself during the national championships.

Taieri held aloft the Bing Harris trophy in 2004-05 and again in 2006-07, but it has struggled to put together a competitive team for this season. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi reports.

Triple national gold medallist Mikaela Walsh nearly gave up rhythmic gymnastics two years ago and stuck with the sport only because of her mother's encouragement.

Otago has had its "wake up call" and now it is business time.

The Otago cricket team left Dunedin yesterday on the first leg of its trip to India with little fanfare.

After a ponderous start to the national championships, Otago is suddenly looking like a genuine contender, coach Nicola Jones says.

Dunedin-Based midcourter Camilla Lees would love to cap off a fine year by getting on court for her country.

Otago batsman Greg Todd knows his side will be one of the underdogs at the Champions League.

Heath Mills is disappointed Black Caps and Otago wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum has been singled out in the uneasy relationship between the Indian Premier League and international cricket.

The Southern Storm slumped to its fifth consecutive loss in the National Hockey League, losing 3-0 to Central in Christchurch yesterday.

Otago fast bowler James McMillan has been hit for six by the high level of support the team has received ahead of its participation in the Champions League twenty/20 tournament in India next month.

All the talk of favouritism does not sit well with New Zealand Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis.

World champion cyclist Alison Shanks will switch her track bike for a less aerodynamic mountain bike when she competes in the 2009 Rail Trail Classic on Sunday.