Welcome to the PowerNet Tour of Southland 2009

School participation is an integral part of the PowerNet Tour of Southland cycle tour. School students waving their PowerNet Tour Flags enthusiastically encouraging the cyclists and support teams as they pass is now an iconic aspect of the PowerNet Tour.

Visiting cyclists have long commented about the thrill that they received as they whizzed past boisterous bunches of "kids" and many of these cyclists point out that this encouragement is something that makes this PowerNet Tour unique.

The PowerNet Tour of Southland actively encourages schools along the PowerNet Tour route to participate in the PowerNet Tour. Cycling Southland co-ordinates a team lead by the NZ Police Education Officers and Sports Southland staff who visit these schools just ahead of the PowerNet Tour. The "Schools Team" ask the school children pre-prepared questions that relate to the PowerNet Tour and about keeping safe on a bike and on the road.

The PowerNet Tour lead promotional van that travels ahead of the cyclists arrives to advise how far away the cyclists are, who is winning, who to look out for, who needs a big supporting cheer and they usually give some cheek! The cyclists arrive and the Police team work to ensure the safety of the children (and the teachers on occasion!). The cyclists fly past as the children wave the PowerNet Tour of Southland Flags and shout encouragement - and then its over.

This section explains what is offered to the schools on the route, the PowerNet "Tour Route and Times" and what competitions are available to these schools under "Tour Information".