Labour Weekend saw the Netball New Zealand’s NZ Secondary Schools four-day camp and Quad tournament, selecting some of the best secondary school players from across the country to put their skills to the test.
Netball Northern congratulate those from our zone selected to be a part of the 24-strong squad:
NZ Secondary Schools Team:
- Lata Holi - Northern (St Kentigern College)
- Milla Senio - Northern (Marist College)
- Shayla Nepia - Northern (Epsom Girls’ Grammar School)
- Charlie Lindsay - Northern (Howick College)
- Lillian Henare-Vaihu - Northern (Avondale College)
- Avah Sila - Northern (Howick College)
- Anika Pihema - Northern (Orewa College)
NZ Secondary Schools ‘A’ Team
- Zermahnia Manu - Northern (Howick College)
- Priscilla Rasmussen - Northern (Avondale College)
- Jonni-Rose Chamberlain - Northern (Avondale College)
- Skylah Tainui-Takerei - Northern (Howick College)
Netball Northern Invitation Team
As part of the NZ Secondary School Camp, Netball NZ hosted a Quad Tournament, featuring two invitation teams competing alongside the Secondary School teams. Netball Northern had the opportunity to provide one of the invitation teams, along with the Pacific Challenge Pearls side.
Netball Northern Athlete Lead, Pete McInnes, highlighted the valuable experience for the selected players to enhance their skills and compete against some of the best.
Preparing the team for tournament
Mystics Head Coach, and Assistant Coach to the invitation team, Tia Winikerei says she really enjoyed working with the group of up-and-coming players from across the zone alongside Head Coach Adelita Sotutu and Manager Trish Harkins.
“Whilst we had little preparation time, it was exciting to see the growth within the playing group and I can see potential in them all,” she says.
Tia says she and Adelita had great support from Pete as well as Northern Marvels coaches Ripeka Pirie and Melissa Bessell in helping to get the players ready for the tournament.
“They spent the time with them on skill development, which was important as the first time we were all together as a team, was the first game.”
“It was during the tournament that our team strategies came alive, which was awesome to see.”
Opportunities contributing to growth
Tia says it’s great Netball Northern can provide these opportunities for players, coaches and managers. She says she loved coaching these younger players and any opportunities for the growth of netball within our zone is valuable.
2024 Netball Northern Invitation Team
- Sophia Lafaiali’i
- Stacey Ah Van
- Mali Taleafoa
- Rileigh Campbell
- Mia Swann
- Sarah Manu
- Kyel Anderson
- Milan Teinakore
- Jaz Zanders
- Annie Kirikiri
- Noelani Roberts
- Louise Makin
- Montana Ma'aelopa
- Hannah McDonald
