Tiana takes on netball and Tag20 rugby
Tiana Brown may have a tough decision on her hands.
The 12-year-old St Cuthberts student recently made New Zealand representative sides for two different sports, and picking which one to go with could be a challenge.
In July, Brown will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa to take part in an under 14 netball tournament with New Zealand.
When she returns, she’ll shift her focus to the Pacific Cup Tag20 rugby tournament in Melbourne held in November.
Tag20 is Australia’s equivalent to Rippa Rugby, which involves players ripping ribbons - or tags - off the opposition instead of tackling them.
By the end of the year, Brown can tick off two new destinations to her already well-travelled resume - having already been to the United States and Canada.
However, there’s something special about these two trips that has the youngster thirsting for more.
‘‘I’m just really excited to put on that New Zealand uniform,’’ Brown said.
‘‘Just knowing I’m representing my country, that’s what excites me most.’’
Her netball career started when she was 10-years-old, and after making various representative teams, she was snapped up for the New Zealand side.
Her selection into the Tag20 team was slightly more haphazard.
She was pulled along by a friend because the team needed more players, and wound up being selected to the New Zealand team which will play in the under 18 grade at the Melbourne tournament.
‘‘I was really surprised, I thought they wouldn’t want anything to do with me, so it was a massive shock,’’ she said.
But ultimately, her loyalty lies with netball, and she hopes that someday she can become a Silver Fern.
At only 12 years of age, making two national teams is extremely rare. However, initially Brown wasn’t sure if she’d be able to make the trips.
While she is motivated to play netball and Tag20, she’s also a dedicated track athlete and just recently picked up basketball. Coupled with schooling, trainings, and games, her life is already as full as it can be.
‘‘It took us a while to think about it due to all my other commitments,’’ Brown said.