NZ Māori Secondary Schools cricket teams named

The boys and girls New Zealand Māori Secondary Schools sides will play the Governor General’s XIs at Wellington’s Karori Park later this month.

The inagural secondary schoolgirls team includes players from each of the six Major Associations, including four players who have represented their MAs at Under 19 level: Ocean Bartlett (CD), Sam Mackinder (Wellington), and Angelique Peyroux and Harriet Cuttance (both Otago).

The Māori Secondary Schoolboys team is also brimming with emerging talent, including five players from last year’s side as well as Ryan Jackson – a member of the New Zealand Under 19 side.

It also includes Payton Spencer, the son of All Black Carlos Spencer.

Players from both teams will assemble in Wellington on Tuesday, February 18 and will stay at the Pipitea Marae for the remainder of the week, engaging in many activities, with a focus on connecting with tikanga.

The games will be played on Thursday, February 20, with the schoolgirls’ side playing two T20 matches (starting at 10.30am and 3pm) and the schoolboys side playing a 50-over contest (starting at 10.30am).

Former BLACKCAPS Test wicket-keeper Adam Parore will join both teams in a support and mentor role, and will be present at the capping ceremony at Pipitea Marae on Wednesday, February 19.

Both Māori teams were selected by Northern Districts’ Pat Malcon.

The Māori Secondary Schools initiative was the recipient of the ‘Innovation in School Sport’ award in 2019 presented by School Sport NZ (NZSSSC).

NZ Māori Schoolboys

Name
Iwi
School

Lachie Bailey
Ngāti Raukawa & Ngāti Kāhungunu
Hutt International Boys School

Joel Clark
Ngā Puhi & Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu
Palmerston North Boys High School

Elias Falanitule
Te Rarawa
Sacred Heart College, Auckland

Jacob Gilbert
Ngai Tāhu
Kings High School, Dunedin

Curtis Heaphy
Ngai Tāhu
Palmerston North Boys High School

Ryan Jackson
Ngā Māhanga a Tairi
St. Patrick’s College Silverstream

Kuwyn Price
Ngāti Porou & Ngāti Hauā
St. Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton

Nathan Robinson
Ngāti Hei
Kings College, Auckland

Payton Spencer
Ngati Kāhungunu
Hamilton Boys High School

Brayden Thomas
Te Ātiawa
Southland Boys High School

Alex Thompson
Ngā Puhi
Onslow College

Jamal Todd
Ngāti Whātua
Auckland Grammar School
Head Coach: Duncan Murray, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Assistant Coach: Michael Tillett, Tamaki Makaurau
Assistant Coach: Michael Rameka, Ngāti Tūwharetoa

NZ Maori Schoolgirls

Name
Iwi
School

Ocean Bartlett
Ngāti Porou & Ngā Puhi
St. Matthew’s Collegiate

Waimarie Carter
Te Arawa
Onslow College

Harriet Cuttance
Waikato Tainui
Columba College

Marama Downes
Ngāti Tuwharetoa
Pakuranga College 

Ella Drumm
Ngāti Porou
Epsom Girls Grammar

Ella Gibson
Tuhoe, Te Aitanga a Mahaki & Ngāti Porou
Lincoln High School

Kayarna Jones-Dennes
Ngati Kāhungunu
Wairarapa College

Sam Mackinder
Te Whānau-ā-Apanui
Palmerston North Girls High School

Angelique Peyroux
Ngai Tāhu
Columba College

Jess Smith
Ngā Puhi & Tainui
Kaipara College

Anika Todd
Ngāti Whātua
Mount Albert Grammar School

Chelsea Traill
Ngā Puhi
Whangarei Girls High School
​
Head Coach: Maia Lewis, Ngāti Whātua & Ngāti Maniapoto
Assistant Coach: Tanya Morrison, Ngai Tāhu
Assistant Coach: Hannah Beatson, Ōtautahi