Fergusson Park, a way for athletes to get a leg up on the competition

Fergusson Park plays host to young MMA prospects looking for their time in the limelight

Walking across Fergusson Park on the shoreline of the Matua peninsula is refreshing. A chilling wind lifts from the sea, moving across the fields where generations of the Otumoetai community have played. 

Fergusson Park allows free public access at all times. If visiting, expect to see a variety of people participating in local hobbies such as jet skiing, running, kite surfing, or perhaps a family kicking around a football.

The sea breeze is ideal to slough off any sleep from your system before a formidable training session, something MMA athletes Sam Kember, Logan Robbinson, and Aston Raynor know all about. Training for their fights on March 18th in Kirikiriroa Hamilton at Core MMA, the trio has been taking full advantage of Fergusson Park, using the hills for incline sprints or the long open fields for pad work and cardio drills.

For Sam, Matua has always been home, spending his childhood at Fergusson playing for the Otumoetai Football Club. Football was Sam’s first introduction to sports and belonging to a team. Sam says he’s a frequent visitor of ‘Fergy.’

“Yeah, all the time ’cause I used to play youth football down here so that’s where I first got introduced to sports and the idea of pushing myself towards a goal.”

Sam Kember

Sam’s transition to MMA began in 2018 after he was on the wrong side of a sucker punch. Ever since then, Sam’s been training 3 times a week at his gym, as well as extra training down at Fergusson Park.

To compete fighters must reach a specific body weight, putting on extra layers of clothing and running the beautiful waterfront track is an excellent way for fighters to shed the extra kilograms.

“I’m sitting around 73 and have to cut to 70 the night before the fight. I’ll be eating a lot of empty carbs like fruit and veg and coming down to Fergy to use the running track.” Sam says.

The waterfront track runs along the shoreline of Fergusson Park through to Kulim Park. Mauao, Mt Maunganui is visible throughout the 30-minute run, as well as sea views, water stops, and beach access.  

While MMA is an individual sport on the night of competition, in the lead-up to an event, fighters rely on their team. The synergy shown between these three boys is unique. The respect they share for each other can be felt during our conversations. This creates a perfect learning environment. When asking Logan Robinson his view on the relationship he’s formed with Sam Kember he replied

“I see him as a leader and he’s someone I want to make proud. Sam’s energy pulls you in and makes you want to do better. He’s a ‘doer’ and there’s nothing better than surrounding yourself with good energy like that”

LOGAN ROBINSON

As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron, referring to the iron mindset, hard work, and commitment the boys display. Working together at Fergusson Park and utilising the facilities available strengthens the skills vital to MMA.