Auckland Netball Champions!

This may well be the most talked about game of the season! What a fantastic night! With amazing crowd support, our Premier Netball girls claimed the Auckland Netball Premier Championship title, having last won it in 2014, beating Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) 40-35. Buoyed on by very vocal supporters, including an awesome contingent of boys and girls from the boarding house, the girls went ahead early with a four goal lead and never lost momentum; they looked like the team in control for all four quarters!

Last night was a result of hard work by the girls and their coaches since the team first came together in February. The team has been dedicated to every aspect of their campaign including a robust strength and conditioning programme, technical and tactical court sessions and sports psychology. Our full team performance was excellent last night with every player rising to the challenge and sticking to our game plan. Outstanding defensive pressure allowed us to capitalise turnover ball and our shooting combination of Sydney Fraser and Ashleigh Garner were reliable in their finish. Our total shooting statistics were 90% with Ashleigh shooting 86% and Sydney shooting 94%. These were our highest statistics to date.

So far this season, the girls have played eleven games in the Auckland Secondary Schools Competition and went into the final as the only team undefeated for all of those games. They had previously played MAGS in a competition round early in August and came out winners on that occasion by one goal. They knew the final was always going to be a highly physical and competitive game but were confident in their preparation both physically and psychologically.

The team is led by Georgia Ropati (C), Mererangi Paul (VC), Tori Kolose and Sydney Fraser. These players are leaders both on and off the court and are integral to our training sessions, decisions made and, ultimately, to our success.

Everyone was ecstatic when the final whistle blew! The Bruce House boys gave a rousing, spine tingling haka in their honour. Our supporters created a huge buzz for the girls throughout the game, playing a vital part in spurring them on! Thank you, it worked!

We now wish the girls well for the Upper North Island Tournament next week as they compete for a place in the national final later in the year.

Premier Netball Team:
GS          Ashleigh Garner

GA          Sydney Fraser

WA         Mererangi Paul

C             Tori Kolose

WD         Tayla Earle

GD          Georgia Ropati

GK          Lauren Pickett

              Hannah Ward

              Vilisi Tavuii

              Mahina Paul

WD          Viona Silao