Grace Watson, an U17 rep player named in the tournament team and named TWHCNC rep Sportswoman of the Year. Photo / Judy Macdonald
In the first week of the school holidays the Trust Waikato Hamilton City Netball Centre (TWHCNC) U15 representative teams travelled from Hamilton to New Plymouth to participate in the North Island U15 Netball Championship which ran from July 10-12.
There were three grades: A, B and C. Each grade had 16 teams divided into four sections equating to 48 teams participating in total.
The U15A team were in A grade section D along with North Harbour 1, Waitakere U15/2 and Papakura U15.
The U15B team was in C grade section C along with Coastlands Netball Kapiti U15, Whakatane Yr9 and Papakura Y9.
The U15 Development were also in C grade section D along with Waitakere Yr9, Invitational Yellow, and Whanganui White.
The first day of competition was pool play. The U15A team had two wins and one loss and this saw them playing off for top eight. The U15B team had the same result and the U15 Development team did not have any wins on the first day which saw them playing off for eighth - 16 place.
The U15A team did not win any of their remaining games so at the end of tournament was placed eighth in A grade. With one win over the second two days of competition the U15B team was placed seventh in C grade and the U15 Development team with two wins was placed 10th in the same grade.
Georgie Edgecombe and Leila Green from the U15A team were named in the tournament team, an outstanding achievement.
The TWHCNC U15 representative teams are made up as follows:
U15A: coach Rhiana Wheadon, manager Maureen Vincent, players - Anahia Noble, Charlotte Pyke, Chelsea Whittaker, Ella Bradley, Georgie Edgecombe, Kataraina Holmes, Kaycee Smith, Leila Green, Libby Clayton, Manaia Rapana-Feather and Mya Meadows.
U15B: coach Kath Holmes, manager Teresa Elers, players - Anri Kruger, Holly Mills, Jaydah Croft, Maia Cooper, Manaia Beattie, Molly Oldershaw, Rebecca Leigh, Renei Te Pairi, Saffron George and Tepola Finau.
U15 Development: coach Kuini Thompson, manager Rob Dragten/Penny Wilkinson, players - Alice Wilkinson, Arohaina Taituha, Briah Woolford, Brooke Bolstad, Hiraina Green, Keira Mauriohooho, Manaia Nuku, Sacha McLeod, Sophie Reeves and Rhiannon Parry.
In the second week of the school holidays the Trust Waikato Hamilton City Netball Centre U17 representative teams travelled from Hamilton to Rangiora, North Canterbury to participate in the NNZ Age Group U17 Championship which ran from July 18-21. Forty teams participated in the tournament. Teams were placed into eight sections with five teams in each and then the top 16 (top two teams in each section) played off in cross overs.
The U17 A team was in section F along with Wanganui, Manawatu, Eastern BOP and North Otago.
The U17 B team was in section G along with Southland, Mid Canterbury, Kaiapoi HS and Kapi Mana.
The first two days of competition are pool play and both teams won three of their four games. This left them ranked second in their respective sections at the end of pool play and meant that were to play off for the top 16.
The U17A team had a win and a loss on both remaining days of competition but the U17B team did not win any of their remaining games. At the end of tournament the U17A team were placed 11th and the B team placed 16th. Wellington Black won the tournament with Auckland 1 in 2nd place.
Lyanne Eukaliti and Grace Watson from the U17A were named in the tournament team - an outstanding achievement. Additionally at the TWHCNC rep prize giving on July 27 Grace Watson was presented with a trophy for Sportswoman of the Year capping off an excellent season for the young and upcoming player.
The TWHCNC U17 representative teams are made up as follows:
U17A: coach Dana Heta, manager Jenny Jago, players - Ali Wilshier, Chelsea Sherry Tau, Deyna Tukere, Fiesola Paumau, Grace Watson, Kate Littlejohn, Leilani Leau, Lyanne Eukaliti, Ki-tana Tuhakaraina and Ocean Tahu-Middleton.
U17B: coach Collette Whittle, manager Tonia Richardson, players - Abigail Webbon, Amra Simek, Anna Biladi, Brooklyn Dunn, Cara Wynn, Hannah Riddle-Pelchen, Kiriana Te Namu, Kyla Abrahamson, Mahinarangi Tupaea, McKenzie Claydon, Oliva Richardson and Sophie Carr.
The TWHCNC U19 team also finished in 8th place at the U19 Nationals in Nelson held from July 11-14. 18 teams entered this annual competition this year and the team was placed second at the end of pool play which saw them playing off for top eight.
The TWHCNC U19 representative team was made up as follows: coach Raima Turner-Abrahams, manager Ann Scott, players - Mikayla Apiti, Kylah Bardsley, Georgia Eldridge, Renee Gudgeon, Tayla Higgie, Talia Namana, Hannah Ridling, Emily Ridling, Emma Smith, Dionne Treadaway, Teri Wathen-Smith.
Overall a highly successful result for all teams and something TWHCNC can be proud of. All are great events and are a key stepping stone for players along the development pathway.