Over 120 students compete in inaugural Otago Southland Clash of the Colleges

The Agri Futures Clash of the Colleges was created to inspire the next generation into Food and Fibre careers.

Established by the New Zealand Rural Games Trust, the team delivers Clash of the College events in Auckland, Canterbury, and Manawatu, scholarships, and in-school modules that support the delivery of the Agriculture and Horticulture curriculum.

The Clash of the Colleges is a fast-paced, amazing race-style competition, offering students hands-on experience in various aspects of the rural sector.

Students work in teams of four to complete 16 hands-on modules within one-and-a-half hours.

Otago University Agriculture and Telford SIT Agriculture students ran the modules.

Daniel O’Regan, Agri Futures, says the competition included ATV wheel change, tree identification, attaching an insulator, break fencing, feeds and weeds, drenching, handpiece setup, wool identification, gumboot throwing, sulky racing, on-farm recycling, CPR and more.

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“It was fantastic to see students showcasing their skills, trying new things and meeting industry representatives,” O’Regan says.

“A key aim of the day is that they understand there is a wide range of work opportunities across the food and fibre sector,” he says.

The event was supported by Telford – SIT, Gallaghers, Clutha Vets, CMC Recycling, the Fencing Contractors Association NZ, Farm Source, Cocky, Environment Southland, Fonterra, Discovery Forestry, Girls Who Grow, Future Farmers, Advance Ag, Future Foresters, Otago University and St Johns Balclutha.

Winners

Senior

• 1^st place – Otago Boys High School: Dustin Young, Charlie Hore, Henry Chittock and Toby McLean
• 2^nd place – Southland Boys High School: Oliver LeMon, Michael Crene, Jake Anderson and Fletcher Palary
• 3^rd place – Taieri College: Archie Eaton, Elise Mathais, Cemeron Ter Woost, and Samuel McLeod

Junior

• 1^st place – Blue Mountain College: Addie McHutchon, Anna Herriot, Jeremy Sanford and Angus Weir
• 2^nd place – Maruawai College: Charlie Sprenger, Bryon McClintock, Tristain Nel and Jack Davidson

Otago Southland Gumboot Throwing Champion

• Manaia Tiller of Blue Mountain College