Milson Rotary were treated to an inspiring presentation from Feilding Moa Harriers coach Bill Twiss and two impressive Nga Tawa School students, Sophie and Maddie, who came along to express their thanks for the Club’s support of the Moa Youth Distance Running Camp.
Bill opened with a cheerful “Kia ora everyone!”, thanking Milson Rotary for their generous sponsorship and ongoing encouragement of young athletes in the Manawatū.
“Your support went far beyond the donation,” Bill said. “You’ve helped create opportunities for our youth to grow, learn, and thrive in sport.”
He went on to share a snapshot of the Feilding Moa Harriers Club, one of the country’s most vibrant athletics communities with over 300 members—from energetic three-year-olds to seasoned runners in their late seventies.
Every Saturday, come rain, hail, or shine, members can be found pounding the roads and farm tracks around Feilding and Halcombe, building not just fitness but lifelong friendships.
Bill proudly noted that the club continues to punch well above its weight, recently hosting the New Zealand Road Relay Championships with over 1,000 runners from around the country. Their teams achieved outstanding results—the Under 16 girls placing 3rd, and the Under 20s and Junior Boys teams finishing strongly inside the top six in their grades.
“At a time when many clubs struggle to field full teams, we’re incredibly fortunate,” Bill said. “We’ve got committed athletes, supportive families, and a culture that keeps young people active and motivated.”
The Rotary-supported Youth Training Camp is a big part of that success. This year’s camp was held at Riversdale Beach, with 17 enthusiastic young runners (two-thirds girls) spending three action-packed days improving their strength, technique, and teamwork.
Bill introduced Sophie and Maddie, both Year 12 students and standout athletes, to share their firsthand experience.
Sophie and Maddie’s Camp Experience
“Hi everyone! I’m Sophie and I’m Maddie,” the girls began, beaming. “In July this year, we were lucky enough to take part in the Moa Distance Running Camp at beautiful Riversdale Beach — and it was awesome!”
Over three days, the young athletes threw themselves into Pilates, mobility sessions, HIIT workouts, theory lessons, and plenty of running—including beach runs that were “tough but definitely one of the highlights.”
Day Two was the biggest: a 13km morning run, a high-energy HIIT session with coach Liz Fitzgibbon (“I haven’t done one since!” Maddie laughed), and workshops on interval training, recovery, and goal setting.
By Day Three, tired but happy, the group wrapped up the camp with a relaxed run and a lively game of volleyball, full of laughter and good-natured competition.
“We came home exhausted but inspired,” said Sophie. “It was an amazing weekend full of learning, friendship, and fun.”
Since the camp, Moa athletes have continued to shine at competitions across New Zealand—earning medals in running, triathlon, and more.
A Shared Success
Before closing, the girls and Bill offered heartfelt thanks to Milson Rotary:
“Your support made this camp possible,” said Sophie. “It gave us an experience we’ll never forget.”
“It’s opened doors for so many young people,” added Bill. “We simply couldn’t do it without the community behind us.”
Both Sophie and Maddie are now among the top 15 nationally ranked athletes in their age groups, and with prefect interviews the next day, their leadership journey looks just as bright as their running careers.
Milson Rotary members were left inspired by their enthusiasm and the tangible impact of their sponsorship—a clear reminder that supporting youth sport helps build not just strong athletes, but confident, capable young New Zealanders.