Vipers win schools competition

"The Stratford Primary School Vipers have been playing together since they couldn't catch the ball," says coach Jo Patterson.

After playing together as a team for 5 years, the Stratford Primary School netball team ended their time on a high, winning the Stratford Satellite Netball Competition.

Jo says ending with a win was huge for the team and meant they qualified for the Taranaki Championship competition, which they placed third in.

Jo says the Vipers have been a very inspiring team to work with, "all of the girls empower one another to do their best, there is no negativity within the team".

She adds that the team have grown very close over the years and it will be hard for them next year as the students are heading off to different secondary schools.

Captain Sarah Valentine (13) says "we are all great friends, playing together for so long we've grown really close".

"As a final farewell we decided to enter in the AIMS GAmes in Mount Maunganui for one last tournament," says Jo, adding the games host over 8000 intermediate aged competitors, participating in a range of sports.

"We decided it would be a cool way to wrap up our 5 years together, Stratford Primary School have never sent a team before".

Co-captain Anna Hutterd (12) says the games will be a great experience for all the players and says the team has included extra trainings in preparation.

Jo says the team has been overwhelmed with sponsorship to get the team to the games. Local businesses including; First National Mills and Gibbons, Bunn Earthmoving, ITM Stratford, Bach on Breakwater and Petwatch Kennels made donations towards the team.

"We now also have team jackets that the girls can proudly wear to the tournament," says Jo.