Auckland Netball Champions – Again!

What a fantastic game last night! With amazing crowd support, our Premier Netball girls claimed the Auckland Netball Premier Championship title for the second year in a row, after beating Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS) 38-36 in a tense, action packed game. Buoyed on by very vocal supporters, including an awesome contingent of boys and girls from the boarding house, the girls had to fight hard for this win. Down 9-11 in the first quarter, and 16-19 by half time, the team  remained strong and focussed until the last whistle with just two points separating them for a win!

Last night was a result of continued hard work by the girls and their coaches since the team first started training early in the year. They have 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 Ashleigh Garner and Hannah Ward were reliable in their finish. Both girls achieved the amazing stat converting 100% of their shots.

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 and came out winners on that occasion but they always knew the final was always going to be a highly physical and competitive game; MAGS are an amazing opposition.

The team is led by co-captains Georgia Ropati and Tori Kolose . 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 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!

Prior to the Premier game, our Senior A team also faced MAGS in their final. Well done to these girls also who also won their game 37-25 to become the Premier 2 champions.

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 Team: Tayla Earle, Ashleigh Garner, Jaymie Kolose, Victoria Kolose, Mahina Paul, Lauren Pickett. Kayla Robertson-Tekii, Georgia Ropati, Hannah Ward.