“The camp is going to be on a whole other level because the talent from around the country is so good, which is why I’m a bit nervous.”
Hutana, who only started playing netball two years ago, initially never wanted to play but says her feelings “changed quickly” after teacher Ana Tauamaunu and Hutana’s nana Marilyn Bevan encouraged her to give it a go.
“I remember going along to the first practice, dreading it, but I didn’t find it that bad.
“It was like a switch went off and I began to like the sport.
“I really started to enjoy it last year and loved it this year, but the biggest change for me was when I decided I want to play professionally.”
This season was the first time Lytton made the Gisborne Netball premier grade since 2009 and Hutana’s accurate shooting stamped her as a player with potential.
Lytton senior A coach Ronnie Martin, one of the district’s most respected coaches, said Manaia “has what it takes”.
“She has a bit to learn but I feel she can go a long way in the sport.Manaia will learn a lot at the camp. Just to be named in that squad is an accomplishment on its own.
“The experience is going to be so good for her. She will be exposed to top coaches and players her own age at a high level, which will be invaluable.”
Taumaunu, sister of former Silver Ferns player and coach Wai Taumaunu, encouraged Hutana to play because she could see her potential.
“She had never played netball before but she has great athletic skills,” Ana Taumaunu said. “She is fast and has sport in her genes.
“This is going to be a massive learning curve, being among the best young talent in the country. She still has a lot to learn but has a lot of potential.”
Hutana is also a keen rugby, football and basketball player, and has travelled to New Caledonia, Australia and Japan to play rugby.
Netball, however, is now her No.1 sport.
Her sporting ability should be of no surprise.
Father Jamie Hutana played 102 games for Poverty Bay senior rugby side and mother Christine Bevan-Hutana is a former Gisborne netball representative.
Manaia said while her height was an advantage she was worried that her skills could be overlooked.
“My main goal for the next two camps is to show that I have skills and talent that aren’t just associated with how tall I am,” she said.
“But I also know I need to learn how to move around the circle better, get fitter and gain more experience playing at a high level.”
The five-day camp will consist of mental skills training, strength and conditioning, nutrition planning, and performance analysis.
Nine umpires and 12 coaches will coordinate the course, along with Netball New Zealand high performance staff.
Manaia and teammate Ruby Westrupp (goal defence) were also selected to train with the Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty Level 1 development group.
