Players selected for rep teams
Huia Range School students Tama Nikora, Chance Sherrard-Chase, Tamati Rautahi and former student Elyjah Crosswell have been selected to represent Manawatu Rugby in their respective age grades.
Currently a pupil at Palmerston North Boys High School, Elyjah has represented Manawatu since the age of 10 and played his junior club rugby at College Old Boys. A stand out forward in the No.8 position, Elyjah is now representing Manawatu in the U14 rugby team.
After much consideration by their parents, Tama, Chance and Tamati made their Palmerston North rugby season debut this year.
“The decision to take our boys to play rugby in Palmerston North was to provide an opportunity for the boys to develop their individual games. In addition, Palmerston North is where our boys will likely attend secondary school,” says Miss Naioma Chase.
Tama has played representative rugby for Dannevirke since the age of nine and was part of the 2015 Dannevirke Ross Shield team. He is now playing club rugby for College Old Boys. Tama’s speed and strength in his position as second five, means he’s a starting player each week for both his club and Manawatu team. Tama is a member of the U13 Manawatu rugby team.
Coming up through the age grades together and playing their 2016 season for Kia Toa Rugby Club, U11 Manawatu rugby representatives, Tamati and Chance are a formidable force. Chance has natural speed and agility required for his position as fullback and first five, making him an outstanding player in back the line. A hard working forward at open side flanker, Tamati is one of the first players at the ruck and makes the tackle every time.
Chance directs the team around the field from first five, while Tamati shows skill with the boot, converting most of the team’s tries and is the second top try scorer.
“Providing the boys with the best opportunity to enjoy and grow in their game was a priority, and it has definitely paid off,” Naioma says.
Dannevirke High School student and former Huia Range School pupil JD Lilo-Broadbelt has been selected to trial for the U16 Manawatu rugby team. Seven out of nine boys from Dannevirke playing junior rugby in Manawatu were selected to trial for Manawatu representative teams.