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- By Head-knocked Nick
Who likes sports shorts? For those who like their sports brief – to the point, that is, not unnecessarily revealing! – we have a few short shots to share. If you think we’re not playing fair, and other teams deserve a mention, email editor@franklintimes.co.nz and he’ll look into them… the teams that is, not their shorts.
Charli in charge
Charli Gardiner-Hall (18) has not let injury stop her in her tracks. Recently, the Waiuku golden girl won gold in the Senior Women’s Para Discus at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships in Australia.
In addition, she set new U19 and U20 NZ Para Discus F37 records and, in the Senior Women’s Para Shot Put, she earned bronze, breaking the nine-metre barrier for the first time in competition.
“I was really pleased with that performance and how I managed my nerves during such a big competition, but I still wanted to keep improving,” she says.
Gardiner-Hall battled with recovery from multiple surgeries in addition to her ongoing challenges due to a brain condition, Sturge-Weber Syndrome.
“It felt like I had to start from scratch, and that was pretty hard. There were worries about whether I could get back to my pre-surgery distances. My body also takes longer than normal to lock down skills because of my brain condition, so that’s always challenging
White knights?
As the top squad of Kiwi footballers prepares for the World Cup in North America, they’ll be aiming to net a first ever All White win in the tournament’s history.
Perhaps a few dark horses from Auckland FC’s Black Knights history making class of 2026 could be just what the coach ordered.
The All Whites will begin their World Cup run against Iran on June 16.
Home and away
Super Rugby’s two most successful franchises will clash in Christchurch this weekend during the first round of the playoffs. The battered Blues are now on a collision course with the Crusaders after being put to the sword by the Chiefs in Hamilton (59–34).
The Chiefs and Hurricanes are both at home this weekend, to the Reds and Brumbies (respectively).
