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200 marchers in grading day competition

The competitive marching season will begin with the annual grading day championship at Burnham Camp this Sunday, an event involving more ’than 200 competitors.

The grading series will be the first step for Canterbury teams seeking to uphold the province’s high standing at national level. Acme Pioneers has been the dominant team in South Island marching, for some seasons. It won the premier award at the New Zealand championships last March and also faces the task of defending its interDominion title next January. Led and coached by Trish Flanagan. Acme Pioneers

has several new additions to its squad, including the reigning national junior champion leader. Margarita Watene. and several of her team-mates.

Jackie Sibley will again lead the McAlpine Stars team. But there has been a change of coach. Verna Sibley. who for many years guided Blue Star Taxis' and McAlpine Stars, has stepped down and been replaced by her sister. Pam Smith.

The established Skellerup Militaires squad will be led by Shelly Perfect and coached by Pam Findlay. A new senior team. Commodores, will be led by Julie Reed, and previously marched as the McVicar Guards in junior ranks. Acme Pioneers should also be prominent in the junior grade. The South Island titleholder. it performed well at the last national contest, and

has Sharon Hema as its leader. Its sternest opposition could come from Redwood Rangers. Sockburn Ford Guards and Skellerup Militaires All Stars. Tania Jones, the New Zealand midget leader champion last summer, has graduated to the Acme Pioneers junior squad. Its new midget leader is Louise Flanagan. Acme Pioneers marched well on opening day, with Sockburn Ford Lasers, Skellerup Militaires Crackerjacks and Woodford Glen Mascots also impressing.

teams will be graded into A, B and C sections within their respective divisions on Sunday. They will then turn their attention towards qualifying for the South Island championships at Christchurch next February, the pre-Christmas programme ending with the Canterbury championships on December 12.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19821015.2.147

Bibliographic details

Press, 15 October 1982, Page 36

Word Count
330

200 marchers in grading day competition Press, 15 October 1982, Page 36

200 marchers in grading day competition Press, 15 October 1982, Page 36