Rotorua's Tayla Earle was named New Zealand Secondary School Player of the Year at the recent national tournament in Timaru.
Earle, 18, said the tournament was an ideal launching pad for her blossoming netball career after gaining a contract with the ANZ Premiership side Northern Mystics.
"It's such a good development programme for the young girls coming through. I think it's really beneficial for our growth."
Earle, who started playing netball when she was 10, represented Auckland's Saint Kentigern College at the week-long national tournament after moving from Rotorua Girls' High School at the end of Year 10.
Earle said winning player of the year was a big honour.