Netball: Our modest champion

Introducing Cherith Schragg, who was named Whangarei's most outstanding netballer at their recent annual sports awards.Photo / Ron Burgin

Cherith Schragg is Whangarei's most outstanding netball player, even if she doesn't want to admit it.

The 19-year-old, who was named the Whangarei Netball Centre's top netballer at their prizegiving, said the title came as a complete surprise - especially after being an unselfish player and only setting team goals at the inception of the season.

The modest teenager admits she does not rate herself as a netballer, instead says she is simply a hard worker.

"It was a surprise, it was unexpected," Schragg said, who spends her days as the friendly barista at Whangarei Hospital's upstairs cafe. "I wasn't expecting anything like that. I don't know, I just see myself as an average player and I just work hard for what I want.

"I guess I was consistent, I didn't have bad games and I didn't have outstanding games; well that's what I feel anyway.

"The team set goals, like make finals, [but I didn't]. Everyone in the team has to contribute their part and obviously we did it because we made finals."

Despite Schragg's modesty, there is no denying that the Manawanui White goal defence has come a long way since starting out as a 7-year-old.

Having represented Mangakahia Area School, Onerahi, Manawanui, and the Whangarei Netball Centre under-19 teams, Schragg said the key to her netball success this year has been the style in which her side has played.

"[I moved to Manawanui] just because a lot of young girls going there and it was really fast netball, which was the type of netball I like to play.

"I felt because we started off in premier reserve it wasn't much of a challenge, we were beating teams by 40 goals. But, when we got up to premier I got a fright in our first game, like I played terrible, I played horrible. You just forget the standard [expected]. It was such a big step to what we were playing."

As for whether or not Schragg sees herself going on to higher honours, she said it is something she would consider if the right opportunities came her way. "I guess if I get the right opportunity, I've had opportunities before but, I don't know, I really didn't take them like I should have.

"[The Auckland girls Schragg is up against] just live and breathe netball. I used to travel down there four times a week to play but that's all they do is train for one sport."

For now though, Schragg will be looking to make her mark on the court again over summer, but, this time with a basketball.