Teens' touch success

RGP 26Feb15 - Mererangi and Mahina Paul. PHOTO: SUPPLIED RGP 26Feb15 -

A Whakatane teen is fast making a name for herself on the national touch rugby scene.

A month after returning from the Youth Trans-Tasman Touch Tri-Series in Sydney, 16-year-old Mererangi Paul has been named as a New Zealand open Women's Touch Black.

Mererangi will join her cousin Stacey Waaka when the Touch Blacks travel to Coffs Harbour in late April to compete for the Touch World Cup.

During the recent school holidays, Paul was in Sydney to play for the New Zealand under-19 women's touch team in the annual tri-series against Australia. She travelled alongside two other local touch players, Ngarohi McGarvey Black (New Zealand under-19 men's) and
Opotiki's Storm Howe (New Zealand under-21 men's).

Mererangi found the weather conditions challenging with some games played in temperatures exceeding 38°C. She was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her New Zealand team from her coach and was also awarded the player's choice title.

The past year has been busy for the youngster. She has just completed her first year as a boarder at Auckland's St Kentigern College after being offered a sports scholarship.

As well as touch, Mererangi enjoys netball and has gained selection for various tournament teams while in Auckland. She was selected as top midcourter at the UNISS Tournament and was also chosen for the tournament team.

The under-15 and under-17 Touch Nationals were held in Papakura earlier this month with provinces from all around the country vying for honours. Both Mererangi and her sister Mahina, 13, gained selection into their respective New Zealand teams.

Mererangi credits much of her touch success to her former teacher/coach Mark Pouwhare, of Te Kura o Te Paroa. As a former pupil, Mererangi was coached by Mark from primary through to Bay of Plenty representative level.