At the Area Schools Tournament next month the CNI teams will play Northland, in Top of the South and Bottom of the South, to gain the chance to be named as New Zealand Area School members in their respective codes.
"This is a very good opportunity for area school students who often come from small, rural communities. It is an opportunity to not only extend themselves in the sporting arena but also to develop community spirit with other teenagers from a wide range of backgrounds. Taihape Area School has been very successful in the past and this year we continue to look forward to successful results from our students," McMillan said.
With just three weeks to go, the 10 TAS students heading to Christchurch in the first week of the school holidays are excited.
The students say it will be a great learning experience and they will bring home sports skills they can pass on.
The five rugby players, four netballers and the one footballer are busy training,
playing, fundraising and sports mentoring.
Over the past few weeks they have enjoyed coaching junior sportspeople in local primary tournaments.
They will also will be involved in the Winter Tournament in Taihape later this year.
Year 12 student Dontaye Mihinui, who refereed a recent local tournament, said it could be quite nerve-wracking being on the other end of the whistle.
"But it's great to see the young ones out there enjoying the game and being competitive."
McMillan said the Area Schools Tournament next month was a great opportunity for the students to play at a higher level, learn new skills, meet new people and create pathways in sports.
Already proudly wearing their TAS blue jackets, the students say their trip south can't come soon enough.
"We are so proud and so happy to have been selected and we will be doing our best for our school.
