Sports teams do town proud

The Waihi College netball team ready to fly. Photo/Melanie Camoin

"An outstanding success," was how Waihi College Principal Alistair Cochrane's described the recent Waihi College RUGNET tour to the International Rugby and Netball carnival on the Gold Coast in Australia during the July holidays.

Both Waihi College teams returned with runner-up trophies and glowing reports from their coaches, managers and supporters. They also received positive comments about the teams' friendly, outgoing nature and ability to perform their haka and school waiata in and around the Gold Coast.

Mr Cochrane stated that "the school, as well as the wider community, should feel enormous pride with the success of the two teams who attended this prestigious carnival."

The Waihi College A netball team had two days of grading games, earning a spot in the Premier Senior Red Division.

After a very tight round of pool play Waihi College were top qualifiers heading into the semifinal round.

With much grit and determination the girls coped very well and kept their heads in what was a very physical game to beat the Aranmore team, by 7 goals.

Both Waihi College teams had a "huge crowd of supporters during the whole venue to witness their successes," said Mr Cochrane who again thanked the players, management teams, parents, sponsors and the wider community for their support.

"The 2015 tournament results across both codes were fantastic and need to be recognised as being an outstanding success."

He added that the personal growth and positive outcomes seen in the young players were immeasurable and would like the college to redo the experience in 2017. Mr Cochrane stated that every tour has a positive spin off for the college and the wider community. It was the eighth RUGNET competition that Waihi College has entered since the first tour in 2001.