A Kamo High School trio of volleyball players have cemented their spots in their respective national teams, and are feeling over the moon about their achievements.
Levi Walters, 18, was included in the New Zealand Under-19 team, while his schoolmates Kane Turketo and CJ Wyatt, both 15, made the NZ Under-17
team. Both teams will contest the Australian State Junior Championships in Adelaide, from July 8-18 while the Under-17 team would stay on to contest a transtasman test series from July 18-22.
With only a handful of Northland volleyball players to have achieved national recognition over the years, to have three chosen for age group in one hit was a massive coup for the region - and a first for the school.
The trio were chosen for their respective squads of 28, following consistent performances at the National Secondary Schools Competition with the Kamo High team. After attending their final training camp in Palmerston North earlier this month, the Kamo High students were named in the final team of 15 players - including 12 who will travel to Australia and three non-travelling reserves, to be confirmed after another training camp in Palmerston North from June 24-26.
Kamo High coach Scott McDonald said the boys' selection was deserved. They are quick learners, determined, big hitters and fast servers and had the ability to turn a bad situation around on court.
He said their achievements meant huge things for volleyball in Northland.
While delighted with their achievements, all three boys were concerned about raising $4000 each for travel and playing expenses ahead of their trip in July.
They will fundraise hard over the next two months, and said they would appreciate any financial help they could get.
Since the school competition ended, the boys have been competing in the Northern Zone League with the North Men's B team, getting in some valuable game time ahead of their campaign.
The North Men's and Women's A and B teams go up against the respective North Harbour sides today, at North Harbour Stadium. The Northern Zone teams will play crossover matches against Central Zone and Southern Zone later this season.
