Having already had a taste of top-flight domestic netball this year with the Tactix, Howick College year 13 netballer Amelia Walmsley will be linking up with the Pulse next year in the ANZ Premiership.

We caught up Amelia about her year in netball in 2021 and the future.

Congratulations on being selected in the 2022 Pulse squad. How did this opportunity come about?
I have always wanted to play in the ANZ premiership since a very young age, so when I found out that Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie was interested in having a conversation with me and offering a potential contract I was so excited. I had a big decision to make as I was not only offered something from the Pulse. So once I made my decision, being named in the team all became so real and it was just a really cool moment for me. I gave Yvette a call to let her know that I decided to sign with the Pulse for this year and immediately we were both so happy, I had a huge smile on my face. I was surprised that I had even managed to be offered a few options from a few franchises, but obviously playing with the Tactix for a little bit I knew it was something I was really hoping would happen.

You have been predominantly a Goal Shoot?
When I was little you did a rotation of positions to see which one you like and best suits you, so I did play every position then. However, as I grew older the shooting position was most dominant. From year 6 to year 8 I was more of a Goal Attack than a Goal Shoot. Ever since college, I have predominantly been a goal shoot with the odd goal attack exposure. This year especially, I have been making an effort to learn more about Goal Attack so that I can get back involved with this position. Yvette and I have discussed that it would be something we would work on during the 2022 season.

Tell us a bit about the stint with the Tactix – how did it come about and how you joined their environment and met the team?
I was about to walk inside a house to a bunch of my friends when my phone rang, it was Bubby (my Comets coach) saying that the Tactix Coach had called her to get my contact details so that she could call me to let me know that she’d like me to play for them in their Monday game against the Steel. I just remember being in complete and utter shock, but once I realised what was happening, I was so excited. I got a call from the Tactix manager later that night where she got all my details and booked me the next flight to Christchurch. The next morning, I caught an 8am flight to Christchurch, to land and be taken straight to the training complex where I met the team and did my first ever training with them. That afternoon we flew to Nelson for our game the next day. It all happened fast, so I didn’t really have any time to get nervous, on the flight I just remembered writing down my goals for the short time I was with them and wrote down a quote to remind me to not overthink anything, be myself and have fun.

How long were you with the Tactix squad for, and how did that fit in with school in Auckland?
I was with the Tactix for two individual week-long contracts, and a 12-day contract. Due to still being at school, they were very aware of this, and I would usually return to Auckland and school after a few days of training and the game with them. I got on court for 3 out of the 5 games I was with them. During the 12-day contract, I stayed in Christchurch throughout the entire time, this did not affect my school as for 10 days of this contract it was school holidays.

How did you find the ‘step up’ to playing in the ANZ Premiership?
It was more competitive, more aggressive, and the intensity was higher, but it was nothing I wasn’t prepared for or expecting. The training sessions were longer and more intense, and there was lots more lead up to the game than I have experienced in the other teams I had played for. For example, getting to the stadium a couple hours before the game, etc. A difference that stood out to me most was the after-game experience of doing autographs and taking photos with people. The first time a little girl asked for a photo with me, I was so confused and asked her what other Tactix girls she wanted in the photo, and she said just you, and I remember being quite stunned with all that stuff initially.

Was there a single ‘highlight’?
I loved every part of being with Tactix, however when I made my debut and scored my first goal for them, that was a special moment that I will never forget, so that is definitely a highlight from my stint with them. Another little highlight is when I got on court for a couple minutes in the Magic game. I remember the buzzer going off and a penalty shot had to be taken very close to the edge of the shooting circle. I remember thinking in my head, ‘you better get this in’ haha. And I did and the crowd was cheering, Marianne was happy, and I really enjoyed that moment.

This year you were also playing for the Northern Comets in the National League – tell us a bit about that?
It was my first season with the Northern Comets. A highlight from the team was the amazing team culture we had. We did this cool thing where we would all muck around together, laugh and then when it came to it, we knew how to switch from that into training mode, game mode, etc. Our team was fun. Another highlight is most definitely the fact that Bubby and Mitchy are two very knowledgeable coaches who taught us all so much, but they also knew how to have fun and have a laugh. A highlight was the results of our games for sure, that reflected the hard work we were putting in. It was always nice at the end of games to see the scores and remind us that we worked hard and fought hard for this, and the score would always be our reward for this. Our entire season was a highlight, a newly introduced, underestimated team was undefeated throughout the season right up to the end when our Northern Sisters [Marvels] won the final. We had an amazing season.

What other representative teams have you played in over the past couple of years?
I have been involved in reps teams for Howick Pakuranga over the past few years. I took a break from it this year as all my other netball and school was very busy. A highlight from throughout my rep seasons was when I played in the U15a team in 2019. Tournaments and nationals were so fun with this team, and we all had really good on court and off court bonds. After nationals week with this team, I was also asked to play for the U17a team in their nationals week the following week. That was two hard core weeks of straight netball, but it was definitely a highlight for me throughout my rep seasons.

It’s a real shame that UNISS was cancelled and now the NZSS Champs have been cancelled this year. We can’t do anything about lockdowns and the current situation there, but on behalf of your team and other players, how disappointing is it not have the chance to play in either these tournaments?
My teammates and I were so gutted when we found out both UNISS and Nationals were cancelled. However, due to the current circumstances with Covid it wasn’t something that took us by complete surprise. Luckily earlier this year St Peter’s School hosted an invitational tournament that we attended, so at least we got to play in some form of tournament environment together.

Up until a few weeks ago, there was a full season of netball in Auckland school competitions. Howick were due to play a semi-final a couple of weeks ago when lockdown struck. Were you playing for your school this year too?
I played close to all games for the Premier 1 Howick college team this season, but for a few games I had managed minutes due to loading as Comets games were sometimes the next day. I missed one game for this team as I was away with the Tactix but my school and my coach were very supportive of this as they knew it was an amazing opportunity. It is tough that the competition was cancelled, we only had one game in the semi and potentially another game in the final which we were all so pumped for.

Do you also play for a club in Auckland?
I played in the Shelly Park Senior 1 team for the club this year. I played games for them when I could due to loading with all my other teams, but this was managed well as my school coach was also the coach of the club team I played for. We were doing very well in the season, and I think we were potentially going to be playing in the final which I think was cancelled due to Covid.

Do you have an early memory playing or watching netball that stands out?
I did Fun Ferns at the age of 4 which was basically a fun introduction to netball for little kids. From there obviously I fell in love with the sport and here I am, many years later still playing. I remember at a young age going to watch a Mystics game and remember being obsessed with Maria Tutaia, who is now named Maria Folau. She was definitely my childhood idol.

What are your favourite school subjects, and will you be looking at studying as well next year?
My favourite school subjects are DVC, Textiles, and PE. I do stats and bio too, but my other three subjects are my most favourite subjects. I am looking to get work experience in the interior design and/ or architecture industry whilst in Wellington first as these are careers I have been set on for the past year. But I want to make sure it is something I really enjoy before I leap into university. If all goes well, I am looking to potentially pick up a degree in one of the two areas in the second semester when I am back in Auckland next year.

Are you managing to both attend school virtually and train for netball from home during the current lockdown?
It is tough to find motivation initially, but I know I have to do it so I write down my weekly schedule at the beginning of each week so I can tick things off and feel a sense of accomplishment, ensuring I manage my time and complete all training and schoolwork I need to. I am managing to do this effectively as I have gotten into the routine of completing my schoolwork between 9am and 3pm, which I then usually do in the afternoon or sometimes at night.

Thank you for talking to us and good luck for next year and beyond!

Interview and story by Steven White, for College Sport Media, September 2021.

Fifty athletes from all five Zones have been invited to attend the development camp in Auckland from January 16-19, where they will gain guidance from five former Silver Ferns. 

The group of athletes will be split into five teams to be coached by Pathway to Podium coaches Irene van Dyk, Jo Morrison, Temepara Bailey, Sandra Edge and Anna Galvan. 

National Development Camp invitation list: 

Northern Zone 
Temepara Bristow, Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 
Dajian Brown, Howick College 
Florence Dallow, Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 
Delwyn Fiso, Mount Albert Grammar School 
Charli Foster, Westlake Girls’ High School 
Charlotte Francis, ACG Strathallan 
Abbie Leger, McAuley High School 
Latonya Lole, Mount Albert Grammar School 
Soana Manuofetoa, Howick College
Ana Manuopangai, Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 
Taumuasila Matautia, St Dominics’ College 
Ellie Minton, Westlake Girls’ High School 
Breeze Peeni Rata, Howick College 
Olivia Ropati, Saint Kentigern College
Jasleen Singh, Saint Kentigern College 
Carys Stythe, Saint Kentigern College 
Kate Taylor, Whangarei Girls’ High School 
Renata Tusani, Mount Albert Grammar School 
Cecile Velghe, Saint Kentigern College 
Amelia Walmsley, Howick College 

Waikato-BOP Zone 
Atlanta Bruce, St Peter’s School Cambridge 
Ivari Christie, Hamilton Girls’ High School 
Reeghan De Bono, Tauranga Girls’ College 
Lucy Sidwell, St Peter’s School Cambridge 
Khiarna Williams, Trident High School 

Central Zone 
Zalika Clarke, Wellington Girls’ College 
Pypah Hailwood, Palmerston North Girls’ High School 
Torren Isaako, Aotea College 
Maia Karena-Barrett, Manukura 
Sam Mackinder, Palmerston North Girls’ High School 
Parris Mason, Manukura 
Atareta McCausland-Durie, Manukura 
Shyan Murphy, Napier Girls’ High School 
Mollie Nicol, Queen Margaret College 
Parris Petera, Napier Girls’ High School 
Ashleigh Poi, Napier Girls’ High School 
Eileen Polu, Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt 
Janaya Preece, Manukura 
Lucy Ross, St Mary’s College, Wellington 
Madison Thomas, Manukura 

Mainland Zone 
Mia Allison, St Margaret’s College, Christchurch
Julia Burnham, Villa Maria College 
Kimberley Curry, Nelson College 
Lose Faingaanuku, St Andrew’s College 
Fiapalagi Lai Kong, Middleton Grange School 
Jessica Milne, St Margaret’s College, Christchurch 
Mia Pearson, Ashburton College 
Olivia Wilkie, Rangiora High School 
Julia Wynands, Villa Maria College 

South Zone 
Harriett Cuttance, Columba College 

For the second time in three years, the first time participants are also the first time champions.

St Peter’s School, Cambridge, joined 2017 winners Howick College in winning their maiden Fuji Xerox NZ Secondary Schools Netball Championships title in their first attempt in the tournament in Nelson last week.

St Peter’s went through the tournament unbeaten, beating 2016 winners Saint Kentigern College 35-31 in the final.

Team captain Kataraina Ormsby said it was an “indescribable” feeling to have won the national schools crown. “We were just happy to come here and show the rest of New Zealand what we could do,” she said. “Making history for our school....I’m speechless and just so proud of the girls.”

College Sport Media caught up with captain Kataraina for some more insight into the tournament on behalf of the team. See below. 

College Sport Media: The final was a tense, close match, your team trailing early, then coming back to level early the fourth quarter then pulling away at the end. Tell us about how the final unfolded, what was said at half and three quarter time and what was a turning point or key moment at the end? ​

Kataraina Ormsby: We got off to one of our best starts of the week in the first quarter.  This was something we had been focusing on throughout the week and that help set the platform for the rest of the game.  We had a patch in the second quarter where we had a higher error rate and that let them close the gap.  

During halftime break our coaches spoke to us about using our structures to ensure we were scoring from our centre pass, doing the basics well, and ensuring we did our pre-work on attack to provide good flat options for our receivers through court.  We knew St Kent's hunted high balls so we aimed to take their aerial game away from them.   I felt we held our composure really well when we were down a couple of goals and kept contesting the ball and putting defensive pressure throughout the court.    

At three quarter time we talked about the importance that our transition from attack to defence and vice versa was quicker.  If we lost possession, we had to get the ball back defensively in our third before it got down the other end and we got some really good quick intercepts or forced them into errors by doing this. The turning point in the last quarter was the defensive pressure as a unit of seven players on court and the huge support from our bench that gave us confidence to let the ball go on attack and trust each other.

CSM: What about the prior knockout games, how did they pan out for St Peter’s?

Kataraina: ​Once we got out of our first seeded pool, were crossed into two pools of four, making the top eight.  With three games in each pool they were must win games in order to progress through to the finals.  

There was no second chance.  We had Howick first and having played them in the semi-finals a month earlier at UNISS (Upper North Island Secondary Schools) in extra time we knew we had to bring our A game. They are a strong, physical team and contest the ball well. We had to be clinical and limit our unforced errors against this team.  Keeping the ball flat and fast for most of the time and mixing up speed with change of pace helped secure the win 41-25.  The next game was against Epsom Girls that we had also played twice before.  It is important to get the mind-set right going into games against teams you’ve played before. Past results mean very little and we were conscious that they were a well skilled team that had height and speed.  We didn't have a great start against them and it took some time to get our connections working smoothly but as the game went on we were able to implement some of the strategies and tactics we had been working on.  We won this game 49-38.

These two wins put us in the semi-final against Manakura, the top seeded team form the other pool.  They had gone through unbeaten also and had had some comfortable wins leading into our game.   We didn't know a lot about this team and hadn't played them before.  One of the strengths of our team is that we can play a variety of styles on attack and defence and are very good at mixing up and adapting to what we do on court.  We have our structures to fall back on, but we also have the ability to play what is in front of us.  Manakura were very quick through their mid court so our focus was shutting down their flow and speed on the ball.  Our players thrive on the tough one on one marking, making the opposition work for the ball early in the game. This type of defensive pressure worked well as we were able to force them into a higher turnover rate.   Our attacks were able to let some great long ball go through court as well as mix up the timing and this worked in our favour to win the game 37-25.

CSM: Apart from the knockout games, what were some other highlights for St Peter’s on and of the court?

Kataraina: ​We are a team that get on really well both on and off the court.  Earlier in the week we did some team activities and excursions to Mapua Wharf, fed eels and chilled out at Kaiteriteri Beach which was one of the highlights away from the courts. Pool play was a good chance to get processes right, and that contributed to our belief.  Going all the way was something that we didn't really talk about, it was almost an unspoken understanding and confidence where we all knew where we wanted to be at the end of the week.

We didn't speak about winning, more about the type of exciting netball we were playing and how we wanted to make a statement about deserving to be at NZSS.  We are team that has the ability to be completely chilled out and relaxed but can switch it on when we need to. I think having this balance and calmness was a real asset when games were close.

CSM: As well as being first time champions, St Peter’s became the first Waikato school since Hillcrest in 2003 to win the title – how aware of the history were you all heading into nationals?

​Kataraina: We were so proud that we created history by qualifying for NZSS by getting in the top 6 at UNISS.  Qualifying for NZSS was our first goal that we set very early in the season.  Over the last two years we have gone from 20th, to 12th at UNISS.  Finishing 2nd at UNISS this year was a real confidence booster that we were going to be very competitive at NZSS.  For our school and our Waikato Bay of Plenty region it was very exciting to win, not many teams in their first year at a NZSS tournament win it the same year. 

CSM: What did you learn from finishing runners-up at UNISS?

Kataraina: We were very disappointed with our final against St Kent's as we knew we were could play better. It was our first major final as a team and I think after our Howick semi-final in extra time earlier that day we probably hadn't prepared mentally as well for the final as we would have liked.  It was a great experience and in hindsight it was probably an advantage for us going into NZSS. In the month after that loss we knew it would most likely be St Kent's that we came up against at NZSS and we did a lot of homework on our errors, our strengths and came up with a game plan that would put them under more pressure and get our ball on attack to our shooters with more accuracy. 

CSM: What other competitions did the St Peter’s team play in this year, and how did you go?

Kataraina: We played in the Waikato Secondary School League and won that in term 2. We played in the Hamilton City Premier Open Grade and were in the top 4 for the majority of the season.  We also played in the Auckland Points Tournament where we made the semi-finals.

CSM: what was the age make-up of the St Peter’s netball team? Is there a good group coming through, and what will this win do for the sport at your school in general? 

​Kataraina: Five Year 13's, two Year 12's and five Year 11's. We have some exciting talent coming through the Year 9 and 10 Netball Academies so the future looks good for St Peter's Netball. 

CSM: Tell us about what representative teams players were in this year, and who play other sports?

​Kataraina: Several of our players were selected for Hamilton City rep teams; Kataraina Ormsby, Katie Te Ao, Ella Bradley, Waiata Jennings, Sophie Waddell, Atlanta Bruce, Sade Kaipara-Morrison.  

Some of our other players were rep basketballers; Charlisse Leger-Walker (Tall Ferns) Ella Bradley and Alana Paewai (NZ age group reps), Charlisse, Ella, Alana and Waiata were in the St Peter's Basketball team that won the NZSS basketball title the week before.

So we had a lot of players that were experienced in playing in high pressure situations.

CSM: Tell us about some of the support you have received?

Kataraina: We have had an amazing support network all season, St Peter's School, Ogle Construction our sponsor, Performance Plus Physio, our families and our coaches and team management: Ange Russek, Te Aroha Keenan, Jenny O'Leary and Jess Elers.
 
St Peter’s School 2019 NZSS squad:
Ella Bradley, Atlanta Bruce, Waiata Jennings, Sade Kaipara-Morrison, Annalies Kalma, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Jorja Metcalfe, Kataraina Ormsby (captain), Alana Paewai, Lucy Sidwell, Katie Te Ao, Sophie Waddell. Te Aroha Keenan (co-coach), Ange Russek (co-coach) Jenny O’Leary (manager), Jess Elers (manager).
 
St Peter’s School NZSS results:
Beat St Margaret’s College 50-24
Beat Christchurch Girls' High School 43-29
Beat St Mary’s College 41-36
Beat Howick College 41-25
Beat Epsom Girls' Grammar School 49-38
Beat Manukura 37-25 (semi-final)
Beat St Kentigern College 35-31 (final)
 
2019 Final Standings:
1 St. Peter's College, Cambridge
2 Saint Kentigern College
3 Westlake Girls' High School
4 Manukura
5 Howick College
6 Avondale College
7 Epsom Girls' Grammar School
8 Christchurch Girls' High School
9 Napier Girls' High School
10 St. Margaret's College
11 St. Mary's College
12 Whanganui High School
13 St. Hilda's Collegiate School
14 Villa Maria College
15 Ashburton College
16 Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
 
NZSS Netball Championships – last 10 winners:
2019   St Peter's School, Cambridge
2018   Mt Albert Grammar School
​2017   Howick College 
2016   Saint Kentigern College
​2015   Mt Albert Grammar School
2014   Mt Albert Grammar School
2013   Mt Albert Grammar School
2012   Mt Albert Grammar School
2011   Tu Toa
2010   Mt Albert Grammar School
 
Watch the 2019 NZSS Netball Final below:

College Sport New Zealand (CSNZ) thanks the One Foundation for their support with this and other stories in 2019 on College Sport Media. ​

A new game-plan and deep belief within the team propelled St Peter’s School, Cambridge to a NZSS Netball Champs on their first attempt.

The Cambridge school’s dream run at the national tournament continued when they toppled Saint Kentigern College 35-31 in Friday’s final at Saxton Stadium in Nelson.

The tournament debutantes went through the week unbeaten and upset the more fancied Saint Kentigern who had beaten St Peter’s when the two teams met last month in the regional event.

St Peter’s coach Te Aroha Keenan said they had done their homework on their Auckland opponent and put their plan into action in the national final.

“We absolutely dissected that game,” she said of the loss to Saint Kentigern last month.  “And the girls took what they needed from that game to inspire them for this final.”

“Our game against them the last time was the motivation for this final – we were not going to be that team again.”

Captain Kataraina Ormsby said it was an “indescribable” feeling to have won the national schools crown.

“We were just happy to come here and show the rest of New Zealand what we could do,” she said.  “Making history for our school….I’m speechless and just so proud of the girls.”

Ormsby said the regional tournament had been an “eye-opener” but gave them the belief that they could compete at the Fuji Xerox NZ Secondary School Champs.

It is the second national title for the school in as many weeks after the girls’ basketball team, which included four members of their school netball side, won the NZ Secondary Schools Basketball Tournament.

“I’m sure our school will be super proud,” Ormsby said.

St Peter’s showed few nerves despite playing in their first final and closed down key attacking play-makers for Saint Kentigern including midcourter Jaymie Kolose and shooter Harriette Baxter.

Wing defence Waiata Jennings stepped up well against Kolose and was also a driving force in bringing the ball through court on attack.

St Peter’s led 10-8 at the first break but struggled with their flow on attack mid-way through the second quarter as Saint Kentigern defender Lisa Putt came into play.

At the other end of the court, Jasleen Singh dominated the shooting circle and with Baxter also finding her feet, Saint Kentigern edged ahead 18-17 at halftime.

Errors up front proved costly for St Peter’s as they trailed by three goals but rallied to go into the fourth quarter with just a one-goal deficit.

The scores were locked at 26-26 with just under eight minutes to play but it was the calm heads of St Peter’s and patience with ball in hand that saw the underdogs pull away to lead by three with the clock counting down.

Defenders Katie Te Ao and Lucy Sidwell maintained their intensity throughout the match and picked up key turnover ball late in the game while both Atlanta Bruce and Charlisse Leger Walker shot well under pressure.

To see full results of the 2019 NZSS Netball Champs click here

RESULTS
1  St. Peter's College, Cambridge
2  Saint Kentigern College
3  Westlake Girls' High School
4  Manukura
5  Howick College
6  Avondale College
7  Epsom Girls' Grammar School
8  Christchurch Girls' High School
9  Napier Girls' High School
10  St. Margaret's College
11 St. Mary's College
12  Whanganui High School
13  St. Hilda's Collegiate School
14  Villa Maria College
15  Ashburton College
16  Samuel Marsden Collegiate School 

The NZSS netball tournament runs all this week from Tuesday to Friday at Saxton Stadium in Nelson.
Three schools will be appearing for the first time, Whanganui High School, St Peter’s School, Cambridge, and Samuel Marsden Collegiate.

Wellington’s Marsden is in Pool B alongside Lower North Island tournament winners Manukura, Christchurch’s Villa Maria Colelge and Auckland’s Avondale College.
​
Some more about Marsden’s team below, from co-captain Grace Masseurs.

School: Samuel Marsden Collegiate 
Coaches:  Efi Fa’atau and Mona Groom 
Captains: Grace Masseurs and Saro Thomson

Team Members: Hannah Fitzsimons, Charlotte Strowger-Turnock, Rachel Albiston, Grace Masseurs, Saro Thomson, Charlotte Mills, Georgia Rich, Mimi Edlund, Araraina Takuira-Mita, Tommi Davie, Eva Whitfield, Sarah Guiney

NZSS Netball tournament history: 
 
This will be the first time we’ve qualified for Nationals, so it’s very exciting for Marsden and us girls!  

What local competitions has your school team and the players in the team () played in this year and how did your team and the players go?
 
Our team played in the Premier 2 grade in Wellington this year as well as the Regional Secondary School League (RSSL). For the most part, in Prem 2 we played women whereas during RSSL only the Wellington Region school teams played. We came 7th in Prem 2, and 2nd in RSSL.

Who are your school’s closest rivals on the netball court?
 
Our closest rivals on the court would be Queen Margaret College (QMC). Over the past few years, we’ve won games, lost games and drawn to them. This year was no different. We have the opportunity to play QMC regularly, as they are in both RSSL and Prem 2. 

Tell us about a memorable match your team has been involved in this year?
 
A really memorable match for us this year was definitely in the final of RSSL against St Mary’s College. Marsden has never made it to the final before this year so our goal all season was to make it, to get there was such an achievement. With the adrenaline of a final and the 200 amazing supporters from our school that came to cheer us on, it was a game we’ll all remember for a long time. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to take the win and lost by 2 goals. Despite the loss, our team really came together in this game and with the cheering on the bench, sidelines and on court we were able to put up a strong fight. This is definitely one of those games where we were really proud of each other and still are. 
 
Another memorable game in the season would be the 5th and 6th play off in LNISS to qualify for Nationals against Palmerston North Girls’ High School. Having never made Nationals before, this game meant a lot to our school and definitely to us girls. We managed to come out with a win by 12 goals and it was such an amazing feeling realising that we had made the top 5!
 
What’s the age make-up of your team?
 
Our team is made up of 5 year levels, from year 9 - year 13. We have five year 13s, three year 12s, two year 11s, one year 10 and one year 9. None of us have ever been to nationals before so this will be a great experience for all of us!
 
What’s the strength of your team? 
We are a close knit team who have a drive to keep fighting when a game gets tough. Even though we’re a team of all different ages, we’re all friends outside of netball too, meaning that trainings and games are always a lot of fun. Eight members of our team have been in a representative netball team for Wellington this year so has meant that we’ve all had plenty of netball and time on the court. 

Does your team have any pre or post game rituals or preparations?
Going to the changing rooms together and blasting music is definitely one of our pre game rituals. We also love to come together as a team before warm up to get our heads in the zone and get focused before we get on court. 

Are there individuals in your team that also play other sports for the school or to a high level or excel off the sporting field?
 
Within the team, we have girls who competitively swim, row, play basketball and sing. One of our girls Araraina was the lead in our school production this year of ‘Godspell’. And the team all came down to show their support for Ara and a few other girls on stage, which was so amazing to see.  

What other support has your team received to get to allow it to operate at the level it does?

Thank you to Marsden for all the support (especially the hoodies)! Thank you to MFON for all your amazing work you do for the school and for us girls. A special thank you to all the parents who have constantly supported our team this year. Showing up at games, cheering us on, driving us to trainings, it’s so appreciated. The majority of all the parents from our team we know are coming down to Nelson to support us again so a major shoutout and thanks goes to them. 
 
Our sports coordinators, Eliott, thank you for all of your organisation for our team this year and Kathrynn (Kitty P), we all just love you so much and really couldn’t imagine not having you to drive us around! Also thanks for scoring!
 
To Sian and Caroline, our managers, thank you for absolutely everything you do for us, a lot of which can go unnoticed. The emails, the ball bag, drink bottles and all that after training recovery food. Thank you so much, we all love you!
 
We wouldn’t be where we are today without our amazing coaches who have put in so much time and effort into this long season. Efi and Mona thank you so much for pushing us and setting our goals high at the start of the season :) You guys are so awesome and we really appreciate all the work you’ve put in this year!
Lastly, I’d like to thank the girls. For myself and the year 13’s this is our last year playing school netball and I couldn’t think of a better team to play this season through with. Thanks for always finding a way to make things fun and for laughing through the pain when we’re told ‘on the baseline’. So much love for you girls. 

The 2019 NZSS Netball Championships are at Saxton Stadium, Nelson in the second week of the school holidays from 8-11 October.
​
Sixteen of the country’s leading netball schools recently qualified to attend from the three recent zone tournaments

We caught up with Auckland school Avondale College, who won the national tournament in 2000 and 2002 and have qualified in 2019 for the first time in five years.  

They are in Pool B, alongside Manukura, Villa Maria College and Samuel Marsden Collegiate School.
​
A bit more about the team below, with coach and former winning player Rachel Rasmussen.

School: Avondale College

Head Coach: Rachel Rasmussen 
Assistant Coach: Teuila Teau
Manager: Tony Cooke
Teacher In Charge: Clem Fraser

Captain: Elleazyr Maiu’u 
Vice-Captains: Grace Nweke, Brianna Folomae

Team Members: ​
Elleazyr Maiu’u 
Grace Nweke 
Ocean Puia
Isabella Rasmussen-Lotam
Lavinia Latu 
Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u
Losimani Latu
Taylor Ensor
Brianna Folomae
Idra Gill
Shyah Hale
Maryanne Moataane 

NZSS Netball tournament history: 

The first time Avondale College qualified for NZSS Nationals was 1995 when we finished third.
Subsequent appearances and finishes: 1999 - 9th; 2000 - 1st; 2001 - 9th; 2002 - 1st; 2003 - 4th; 2012 - 6th; 2014 - 13th 

As an ex-student I [coach Rachel Rasmussen] was involved in the 2000 and 2002 winning teams, so to be part of this journey with the current team as coach is pretty special and a great opportunity to share the history of netball within the school and with the girls.

What’s it going to take for your school to do well in the NZSS Nationals?

Hard work ethic, guts, TEAM work, discipline, attitude and all the 1%’ers in preparation will be key values we have in our NZSS nationals build-up. 
 
What local competitions has your school team and the players in the team played in this year and how did your team and the players go?

We play in the Netball Waitakere School Competition in West Auckland. And are currently 2019 Winners - making it a back-to-back win for Avondale. 
 
Players in club finals:
Elleazyr Maiu’u, Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u, Idra Gill - Premier 1 Waitakere Competition Winners with Club Team Baytex Panthers
Ocean Puia - Open 1 College Waitakere Competition Winner with Club Team TLT Netball 
Elleazyr Maiu’u, Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u, Idra Gill, Maryanne Moataane - Open College 1 Waitakere Competition Runners-Up
Brianna Folomae & Lavinia Latu - Premier 2 Waitakere Competition Winnners with Club Team New Jaks Rangatahi 
 
Who are your school’s closest rivals on the netball court?

For the Waitakere Secondary Schools Competition final this year we had a hard fought battle against a tough opponent in Massey High School.

What’s been a memorable match or event your team has been involved in this year?

The key key pinnacle event was UNISS 2019. The girls went from strength to strength at this competition especially pushing their bodies through a long week of high skilled, competitive netball and managing to beat 2018 NZSS winners and runners up Mount Albert Grammar and Westlake Girls in an awesome display of netball from both teams at this competition.
 
Both these games were memorable matches as they were both key wins in securing a top 4 position for nationals. 
 
What’s the age make-up of your team?

Our youngest player is 13 and oldest 18. 
We carry a squad of 12 consisting of: 
3x Year 9s
1x Year 10
1x Year 11s
3x Year 12s
4x Year 13s. 
 
 What’s the strength of your team? 

We are a team of 12 strong - no individual is bigger than the TEAM. 

Their heart, determination and relentless are strengths they carry as a team. 
 
Are there individuals in your team that also play other sports for the school or to a high level or excel off the sporting field?

We are lucky enough to have the following:
 
Grace Nweke
Mystics Franchise, NZSS Team and Silver Ferns Development Squad member
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
Auckland U18 High Jump Athletics
 
Elleazyr Maiu’u 
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
Auckland Samoa Netball Representative 
North Island Secondary Schools Athletics Rep (100m, 200m, 4x100m) 
NZ Secondary Schools Nationals (100m, 200m & 4x100m) 

Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u 
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
Auckland Samoa Netball Representative 
Tag - NZ Invitational Under 14 
Athletics Inter Provincials Rep U12-U13 (200m, 400m, 80Hurdles, Discus, 4 x100m relay)
North Island Secondary Schools Athletics Rep (300m Hurdles, 200m, 300m,  Discus, 4 x 100m)
NZ Secondary Schools Nationals (300m Hurdles, 200m, 300m,  Discus, 4 x 100m)
Auckland U16-U18 Interprovincial Team (300m Hurdle, 400m & 4x400m relay)
 
Lavinia Latu 
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
Auckland Tonga Netball Representative 
Auckland Tonga Secondary Schools Team 
 
Losimani Latu
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
Auckland Tonga Netball Representative 
 
Shyah Hale 
NZ U15 Softball Team
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
 
Idra Gill
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
Tamaki Makaurau U15 Netball Team
 
Brianna Folomae 
Waitakere Indoor Netball Team
Waitakere Netball Age Group Representative
 
Isabella Rasmussen-Lotam 
Waitakere Under 17 Basketball Representative 
Auckland Samoa Netball Representative 
 
Does your team have a motto or a mascot or any pre or post game rituals or preparations? 

Team Mascot - Dale the KIWI. 
Team Motto - Lesgggggoooooo  

What other support has your team received to get to allow it to operate at the level it does?

Without the awesome support of parents and families to get girls to trainings and games we would not be able to function and prepare as we have. School support has been massive and we are very lucky to have student and staff backing us in prep for nationals. 
 
We have had past student/Silver Fern/ Stars Franchise Player Grace Kara come share her expertise with team in sessions. 
 
Alongside game time against ex netball students who have come into support and help us in preparation. 

We are also appreciative of input from Corey Rasmussen, Vaughan Perry and his Avondale Police Colleagues, and local CrossFit Zealous Gym instructor Jan who have all assisted team with fitness sessions throughout season.
 
Last but by no means least our amazing management team supporting Head Coach Rachel Rasmusssen - We have Teuila Teau, Tony Cooke, Clem Fraser and Sports Director and Coordinator Dannaka Dorrington and Moengaroa Subritzky.
 
This is US this is OUR TEAM!! 

The 2019 NZSS Netball Championships are at Saxton Stadium, Nelson in the second week of the upcoming school holidays from 8-11 October.
​
Sixteen of the country’s leading netball schools recently qualified to attend from the three recent zone tournaments

We caught up with Lower North Island team and first time qualifier to the nationals, Whanganui High School, ahead of the tournament.

They are in Pool A, alongside Epsom Girls’ Grammar School, Saint Kentigern College and Ashburton College.
A bit more about the team below, from co-captain Imogen Flower:

School
Whanganui High School
 
Coach & Manager
Lisa Murphy (Coach) Kim Flower (Manager)
 
Captains
Imogen Flower and Montel Vaiao Aki
 
Team Members
Imogen Flower
Montel Vaiao Aki
Keilani Tyrell
Rebecca Tamati
Teagan Tapa
Kara Adrole
Mikayla Heka
Sophie Andrews
Timaima Tuinasoni
Molly Bullock
 
NZSS Netball Tournament History:
This is the first-time Whanganui High School has qualified for Nationals. The only other time a Whanganui school has qualified for Nationals was back in 1999.
 
What’s it going to take for your school to do well in Nelson? 
As first time qualifiers, we will need to balance our excitement with focus and mental toughness to step up to this next level of netball. Off and on the court, we have always been a tight unit and this won’t change during our week in Nelson.
 
What local competitions has your school team and the players in the team played in this year and how did your team and the players go?
The 2019 season saw our team play in the Manawatu Secondary School Premier grade on a Saturday morning and this year we were the winners, beating Manukura in the final.  We also played in the Whanganui Club Premier grade on a Monday night and lost the final against Kaierau to finish runners- up. 
 
Montel Vaiao-Aki and Kara Adrole  played for the Feilding Netball Club (Winners of 2019 Manawatu Club Premier grade).
 
Who are your school’s closest rivals on the netball court?
Because we play in the Manawatu Secondary School competition our closest rivals would be Palmerston North Girls’ High School or Manukura. In Whanganui we have a traditional annual against Whanganui Collegiate in all winter sports, to date we have not lost a netball game against Collegiate Netball for at least five years.
 
Tell us about a memorable match your team has been involved in this year?
The most memorable game would have to be against Samuel Marsden, Wellington during the Lower North Islands Tournament week. Winning this game, which we did, ensured us a top 4 position and guaranteed qualification to NZSS Nationals, making history for our school.
 
What’s the age make up of your team?
We have a mixture of ages in our squad of 10.
Five players are Year 13.  Four players are Year 12 and one player is Year 11.
 
What’s the strength of your team?
We may have individual positions, but on court we are not individuals, we are a team.  Working together has always been a great strength of ours but so is our sense of humour and the fun we have together which supersedes everything.  The best thing about our team is that we actually all like each other!
 
Reps:  Manawatu U19: Montel Vaiao-Aki; Manawatu U17: Kara Adrole; Whanganui U17: Rebecca Tamati; Whanganui U15: Molly Bullock
                                              
Are there individuals in your team that also play other sports for the school or to a high level or excel off the sporting field?
Keilani Tyrell – NZ Development Touch Camp
Teagan Tapa – NZ Development Touch Camp
Rebecca Tamati – NZ Development Touch Camp. NZ U18 Touch Trial.
Mikayla Heka – NZ Development Touch Camp
Kara Adrole – Netball Talent ID Camp for Central Region. U23 Mixed Netball International Competition/Member of the Fijian U23 Team
Sophie Andrews – Athletics & Basketball
Timaima Tuinasoni – U23 Mixed Netball International Competition/Member of the Fijian U23 Team
 
Does your team have a motto or a mascot or any pre or post game rituals or preparations?
No. Only rule in the team is to make your Coach and Manager happy otherwise there’s no dessert.
 
What other support has your team received to get to allow it to operate at the level it does? 

Ongoing voluntary commitment from Coach Lisa Murphy and Manager Kim Flower
Wonderful family support.
Team Sponsor for the last five years – Phillips Electrical Ltd  (Jeff and Taryn Phillips)

Two current and one recent Howick College netballers were recently named in the Pathway to Podium programme.

Current students Leehava Saverio and Nanise Waqaira and recent school leaver Teuila Sotutu were part of the Howick College Netball team that won their maiden NZSS netball crown in 2017. They also all played for the U19 Auckland Fiji netball Secondary (AFCN) Representative Team in 2018 and Leehava was selected again earlier this year in the team’s third place finish against the seven other countries who competed in the Internationals Secondary Schools Tournament in May. 

Nanise, Lee and Teuila were named in the NZSS squad in 2018 with Nanise making the final team and she went on to make the team again this year playing a 4-game tournament against the England U19s, winning 3-1. Teuila and Nanise have played in the BEKO competition this year, with Nanise being named player of the year for the Northern Marvels.  Nanise also had a training partner contract that saw her train and play some minutes for the Northern Mystics.

Leehava plays goal shoot and goal attack and Nanise is a defender.

College Sport Media put a few questions to Leehava and Nanise.

How long have you playing netball for and what are your early memories?
​
Leehava: I have been playing for 11 years. I don’t remember how I started but if it wasn’t for my teachers back in primary school I wouldn’t have loved netball.
Nanise: I have been playing for 11 years now and a memory I have of falling in love with the game was watching the Silver Ferns on TV when I was 10.

Did you watch the Silver Ferns recently winning the World Cup as it happened, and how does their win inspire you and your peers to train and play harder?

Leehava: It was a school night, but I watched it delayed. The game did inspire me and reminded myself that anything is possible if you put your heart and soul into it. The game makes me want to be a better athlete than I am now and to put in the extra hard work.
Nanise: Yes I did watch it and for me personally it gave me an extra push to keep putting in the hard yards to get to where I want to be. Their win will have definitely inspired younger players to keep striving and to know that anything is possible if you believe.
 
What teams have you played in over the past year or so and any highlights that stand out?

Leehava: I have played for several teams over the past year, including the Howick College Premiers and Auckland Fijians U19s and Howick Pakuranga rep teams and Shelly Park and College Rifles club teams.
Nanise: I was part of the Northern Mystics and Northern Marvels this year and highlights are getting to work with some of the nation’s best athletes and getting to know them on and off the court.
 
How competitive is the Auckland Premier school competition and who are the teams to beat?

Leehava: With some of the top schools in the country in the country playing every week it is tough. Traditionally the best schools have been St Kent’s and MAGS but recently this has been Westlake Girls’ Epsom Girls’ and McAuley High School.
Nanise: Our Auckland competition is very physical and intense. Two teams to beat are St Kent’s and MAGS.
 
The Upper North Island Secondary Schools (UNISS) tournament is coming up, which will be a focus for Howick College now? Having won nationals in 2017, what will it take to win?

Leehava: Our Howick team is looking forward to playing well and finishing in the top 6 [and qualifying for UNISS] is definitely our goal. Having won in 2017, we know this is not going to be easy but going into UNISS all the hard work we have been putting in and a positive mindset will get us there. Winning nationals would be an amazing and awesome moment to experience again.
Nanise: We are looking forward to UNISS and to try and qualify for nationals. At this stage we are still working on building our connections through the court to get the title back. I have faith and believe that our team will perform to the best of our ability.

Fast five questions:

Favourite and least favourite subjects at school?
Leehava: Tourism and P.E. / NA
Nanise: Health and P.E / English and social studies
 
Favourite quote or motto?
Leehava: “Faith can move mountains.”
Nanise:  “You learn more from failure than from success.”  / Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

Favourite food?
Leehava: Chocolate
Nanise: Sushi, Nachos.
 
Favourite holiday destination?
Leehava: Hawaii
Nanise: Hawaii
 
Other sports you play?
Leehava: Volleyball
Nanise: Volleyball and Sevens

A passionate home crowd has spurred Waitakere 1 on to its first Netball NZ U17 Champs title in almost 10 years.

Waitakere 1 beat Manawatu Green 46-34 at Netball Waitakere headquarters in Auckland on Thursday.

They last stood on top of the U17 podium in 2010 (as Auckland Waitakere) but went through the 2019 tournament unbeaten to claim the Anna Rowberry Cup.

Coach Tabitha Winter said it was a great feeling to win the national title and she was delighted with her team’s focus during a tough final.

“It was a great final,” she said.  “It was contested the whole way through and Manawatu made us work hard for it.  But we focused on ourselves and kept that focus throughout the whole game.”

Winter had 11 players for the pool play before New Zealand Secondary Schools and ANZ Premiership shooter Grace Nweke joined the team.

She played a strong hand in Waitakere’s finals performance as Manawatu struggled to shut down the 1.93m shooter.

“It’s been a team effort throughout the week and the girls have known they could go on at any instance.  They’re not even tired, believe it or not, but I am – it’s a tough week,” Winter said with a laugh.

Nweke proved a strong target for Waitakere in the final and their through court defence also stymied Manawatu’s flow through the mid-court in particular.

The two teams were drawn level with just over a minute left in the first quarter before a Waitakere intercept sparked the home side which netted three straight goals to go into the break with a 10-7 lead.

Backed by their supporters, Waitakere rushed out to a six-goal buffer before Manwatu closed the gap to four at halftime.

Manawatu defender Kara Adrole worked tirelessly against Nweke and Waitakere was forced to patiently work the ball into their shooter.

Waitakere’s pressure across the court started to pay dividends as the hosts started to dominate for a 34-25 lead with one quarter to play.

They held their composure in the deciding spell for a convincing 12-goal victory.

The win marked a commanding four days from the Waitakere which was unbeaten heading into the final having accounted for Wellington B, an Invitational side, South Canterbury, Dunedin, Hutt Valley and toppling Auckland 1 (40-35) in a tense battle to clinch a semifinal spot.

They overcame Eastern Bay of Plenty 41-29 in the semifinal for a spot in the last two.

Manawatu A Green had just the one loss on their pathway to the title decider, going down 25-37 to Eastern Bay of Plenty on the opening day.

From there the Yvette McCausland-Durie and Renee Matoe coached side bounced back with five convincing wins to set up a semifinal against Dunedin, winning the play-off 31-22.

Meanwhile, Eastern Bay of Plenty finished in third spot after beating Dunedin 43-23.

Final Standings

Waitakere 1 
Manawatu A Green
Eastern BOP 
Dunedin
Auckland 1
Wellington A Black 
Christchurch A Red
Trust Waikato Hamilton City A
North Harbour 1 
Bayley's Hawkes Bay Black  
Hutt Valley Gold 
Taranaki A 
Auckland 2 
Waitakere 2
Harbourside
Eastern Southland
Manawatu B White 
Northland Cluster 
Wellington B Gold
Whanganui 
Taupo 
Howick Pakuranga
Nelson
Selwyn 
North Canterbury
Thames Valley
Christchurch B
Invercargill
Trust Waikato Hamilton City B
Gisborne
Papakura
South Canterbury
Mid Canterbury
North Harbour 2
Eastern Waikato 
Rotorua
Taranaki B
Pukekohe 
Kapi Mana
Invitational