Teens' team spirit runs high

Who's got spirit? These Taranaki teenagers do, and they have the trophies to prove it.

Team spirit, fair play and positive attitudes have seen the Stratford High School Netball Touring Team and the Inglewood High School Rugby Touring Team bring home Spirit of Sportsmanship Awards from a sporting carnival on the Gold Coast.

While competing at the Gold Coast Rugby and Netball Carnivals, the two schools were identified by officials and other teams as showing the most sportsman-like behaviour throughout the competition.

While awards like these are normally a temporary fixture in the trophy case, Stratford High School's record breaking four time win of the spirit award will see the trophy hold a permanent position in the school.

Coach Denise Kay says it is almost of a tradition for the team now. "We were told in 2013 if a Stratford High School team won it for a fourth time we would get to keep the trophy for good, so that was a real highlight of the trip."

Team captain Emily Short says winning the spirit award was a goal for the team. "It is the most significant award of the competition, the announcers and officials were always talking about it and encouraging teams to strive for it".

Emily says there are many reasons she thinks the team were identified for the award including positive and fair attitudes towards other teams and the umpires but what really clinched the prize for them was their unique warm up routine. "We did 'The Whip' dance before hitting the court, it put us in a good frame of mind and got us excited before each game."

Jake Jarman, Inglewood High School Rugby Touring Team captain, says despite the high temperatures on the Gold Coast his team's spirit didn't burn out.

"Playing conditions over there were very different, the ground was hard and dry which is the opposite of what we are used to." He adds that the weather meant games were shorter and players had to adapt to a faster rate of play.

Jake says while it was a challenge to find their footing, the team kept a positive attitude which is what saw them bring home the spirit award.

Individual sportsmanship awards were also presented at the competitions to a player from each team. Tia Coull-Herewini, netball touring team vice captain, was chosen from Stratford High School and Jack Redpath was the recipient from Inglewood High School.

As well as being recognised for their spirit, both teams achieved positive results in their respective competitions. Inglewood came home with two wins under their belt, beating Freyberg High School from Manawatu and Horowhenua College from Levin and the Stratford High School girls were placed runner up in their division after playing 19 games in total.

Both the Stratford High School Netball Touring Team and the Inglewood High School Rugby Touring Team thank all their sponsors.