Aims Games: Bay schools take tourney by storm

Hastings Intermediate netball team who were fourth at the NZCT Aims Games in Tauranga yesterday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

If the results of Hawke's Bay intermediate schools are anything to go by this week then watch out the rest of the country in several years.

The flagship teams of Central Mavericks (men's hockey), Hawke's Bay/Central Pulse (netball) and the Unicorns (rugby league) should be teeming with talented players doing the Bay proud.

Not only will they fly the provincial flag but they will have the propensity to go on to display their prowess on the international stage.

That's because the youngsters shone in their respective codes during the annual NZCT Aims Games which ended yesterday in Tauranga involving 7500 Year 7-8 pupils.

Hockey

The Taradale Intermediate boys' hockey team finished third after thrashing Pinehurst (Auckland) 6-0 in the 3rd-4th playoffs.

The Graeme Findlay-coached side lost in a penalty shootout to Tauranga in Thursday's semifinal despite their goalkeeper having a blinder.

Tauranga Intermediate shook off a slow first half, scoring in the dying minutes of the first spell but then pouring five more past Kamo Intermediate (Whangarei) to become champions, 6-1.

Netball

The Hastings Intermediate girls finished fourth in a code which lured 1152 netballers comprising 96 teams, including Australian schools.

Hastings lost 30-28 to Parnell College (Auckland) in the 3rd-4th playoffs yesterday after bowing out 33-29 in the semifinals to Murrays Bay (Auckland) on Thursday.

Coach Annemarie Kupa-Petera said last night the girls had an awesome tourney.

"Two of my girls made it into the paper tournament team," said the champion Thirsty Whale Otane Force player/coach.

Daughter/midcourter Parris Petera and captain/goal attack-goal defence Liana Mikaele-Tuu were the pair to make the top-12 tourney team.

"Parris probably takes more after her aunty, Rebbeca [Kupa]," said Kupa-Petera of Parris who is the only Year 7 player among Year 8 side.

Rugby league

The Hastings Intermediate boys' team are the champions after coming from a 6-4 deficit at halftime to eclipse Rotorua Intermediate 12-6.

The Shane Foster-coached and Kevin Tamati-managed Hastings went through the tourney unbeaten in 15 games.

They had overwhelmed Whangaparoa College 18-0 in the semifinal while two late tries gave Rotorua a 24-18 win over Southern Cross.

Former Kiwis player/coach Tamati and coach Foster said it was more to do with the patience and time to nurture talent in the Bay than any mentoring magic.

"A lot of work, love, care and attention went into the boys," Tamati said.

He felt the tri-series the Unicorns had had with Manawatu and Taranaki provided the platform for success.

"For them to understand the game [of rugby league] in a rugby union stronghold was a challenge so they've done well. It's the blessings of that education," Tamati said.

Three Hastings players were named in the tournament team - Dallas Ashman, Jordan Thompson-Dunn and Latrell Ah-Kiong - and they are all part of the school's sport academy.