Southland Sports News

Dayle ITM’s Brendon Leitch and Tim Miles claimed third in a thrilling three-hour Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS race at Sydney Motorsport Park. Leitch topped his Pro-only qualifying sessions on Saturday in the Melbourne Performance Centre-run Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II by 0.666 seconds,

* Perfect conditions led to high speeds in the 102km Cycling Southland Memorial Race. * Break and scratch bunches closed the gap as the race reached its final stages. * Matt Zenovich claimed victory, with Sam Ritchie achieving the fastest time. In ideal conditions, riders gathered for the annual Cycling Southland Memorial Race

* New Zealand’s oldest road race will link with the National Criterium Championships in 2025. * Cycling Southland to host Criterium Nationals alongside ILT Carnival and Gore to Invercargill race. * Event combines track cycling and road racing to create an action-packed programme. Cycling enthusiasts are set for a treat in January

* Jack Heslip competed at the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru, with New Zealand’s team. * He faced cultural surprises, like chicken gizzards, while adjusting to international competition. * Heslip's next competition is the Australian Nationals in Sydney, set for January. Southland’s Jack Heslip, a clay target shooter

* Corbin Strong finished second in Gran Piemonte after a strong performance by IPT riders. * Despite excellent teamwork, Neilson Powless held his lead to win by seven seconds. * This marks Strong’s 12th podium finish of the year in a one-day race. Corbin Strong earned second place in the Gran Piemonte

* Rugby Park renamed Bekhuis Park to celebrate Josh Bekhuis’ record-breaking 144th game for Southland. * The name change acknowledges his contributions to Southland rugby and support from his family. * Stags play North Harbour at Bekhuis Park this Saturday, marking the end of the season. Rugby Park in Invercargill has been temporarily

* Josh Bekhuis will play his 143rd game, matching Jason Rutledge's all-time record for Southland. * Tickets are on sale now, with kids under 14 free when accompanied by a paying adult. Southland Stags have announced their team to take on Waikato this Sunday, September 29th, in the Bunnings NPC

* James McLeay reflects on a year of impressive achievements in middle-distance running. * Representing New Zealand, McLeay had standout performances in Australia, Kenya, and Peru. * A sub-four-minute mile is next on McLeay's list, with races lined up this summer. James McLeay, a talented young middle-distance runner from Southland, has