The New Zealand Secondary Schools squad is preparing for an intense four-day camp in Auckland where they will put their skills to the test in a Quad tournament.
The 24-strong squad will come together for the camp, starting Friday, where they will be put through testing, skills sessions and trial matches on the opening day.
From there two teams will be named – the NZSS team and the NZSS A team – and both will compete in a three-day Quad tournament which will include a Netball Northern Invitation team and a Pacific Challenge Pearls side.
NZSS head coach Pelesa Semu said the four-day camp was a fantastic development opportunity for the players and a chance for coaches to see them in a competitive environment with trial matches on the opening day.
“What an amazing opportunity for the emerging netball talent that we have in New Zealand,” she said.
“They will be in a high-performance environment with testing and skill sessions and I know they will make the most of their time in camp.
“This will be an intense four days for some of these players and it’s going to be great as a coach to see who steps up under that pressure of trial matches.”
Semu said it was important that the secondary schools’ players got the chance to take on some different styles of play which they would see from the Netball Northern Invitation side and the Pacific Challenge Pearls side.
“Taking that step up from schoolgirl netball isn’t always easy so it’s great that they can take on some senior teams and have that different experience,” she said.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing what these players can deliver over the four days.”
Semu will be assisted by Jo Morrison while the NZSS A team will be guided by head coach Melissa Bessell and assistant Rebecca Gabel.
NZSS Quad tournament:
26 October – NZSS A vs Netball Northern Invitation, NZSS vs Pacific Challenge Pearls
27 October – NZSS A vs Pacific Challenge Pearls, NZSS vs Netball Northern Invitation
28 October – Pacific Challenge Pearls vs Netball Northern Invitation, NZSS vs NZSS A
NZ Secondary Schools Team:
Phoenix Schwalger - Central (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Lucy Morrison - South (Columba College)
Lata Holi - Northern (St Kentigern College)
Milla Senio - Northern (Marist College)
Shayla Nepia - Northern (Epsom Girls’ Grammar School)
Charlie Lindsay - Northern (Howick College)
Te Arani Vulu - Central (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Lillian Henare-Vaihu - Northern (Avondale College)
Fo’i Lemana - Central (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Avah Sila - Northern (Howick College)
Anika Pihema - Northern (Orewa College)
Amy Vickers - Central (New Plymouth Girls’ High School)
Management Team:
Head Coach – Pelesa Semu
Assistant Coach – Jo Morrison
Manager – Daniel Short
Physiotherapist – Kylie Cox
NZ Secondary Schools ‘A’ Team
Zermahnia Manu - Northern (Howick College)
Tapini Raea - Central (Wellington Girls’ College)
Charlotte Coughlan - Mainland (St Margaret’s College)
Priscilla Rasmussen - Northern (Avondale College)
Millie Mackenzie - South (Columba College)
Jonni-Rose Chamberlain - Northern (Avondale College)
Skylah Tainui-Takerei - Northern (Howick College)
Teuila Bennis - Central (St Mary’s College, Wellington)
Perri Hore - South (St Hilda’s Collegiate)
Grace Tiko - South (Cromwell College)
Graecyn Parahi - Central (Napier Girls’ High School)
Isabella Fainga’anuku - Mainland (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
Management Team:
Head Coach – Melissa Bessell
Assistant Coach – Rebecca Gabel
Manager – Claire Magness
Physiotherapist – Rebecca Fanning