High school A team puts on their A game for tournament
Team achieves their goals for event
By Between Monday, August 29 and Friday, September 2 Dannevirke High School’s A netball team attended the Lower North Island Secondary School’s Netball Tournament.
They achieved their goals and Dannevirke should be very proud of the group.
“I have been privileged to be the manager for the Dannevirke High School A netball team for the past three years and this year our amazing coach Lynn Gray had set two huge goals for 2022,” manager Kelly Gillard said.
“First, Lynn wanted our girls to make the top 6 in the Manawatu¯ A1 grade, and they did. (Unfortunately, due to sickness and injury they couldn’t play their final on Saturday, August 27.) Second, Lynn wanted the girls to make top 10 at tournament, and they did.
“This was due to their commitment since the end of term one, training twice a week at 6am and doing extra fitness sessions. Playing in the A1 grade on Saturday mornings against the tougher teams allowed our players to grow and develop and become stronger as a team.
“This was perfect timing as the team prepared to leave for the Lower North Island Secondary Netball Tournament.
“After three years of fundraising and preparation and cancellations due to Covid, finally 10 very eager players left DHS early on Monday,
August 29 on the school van with parent helper Tania Paewai and myself as their manager.”
■ The players were: Zoe Cammock, Piper-Rose Jacobsen, Jarnah Augustine, Bailey Gore, Ella Hogan, Eva Smyth, Jayla Alexander, Sally Peffers, Manaia Jensen-Te Huki,
Bayly Castles, later joined by Breia Moses and Ashleigh Hape.
During the week these girls played with great sportsmanship, leadership, maturity and had positive attitudes the entire week. It was often commented by supporters that these girls left everything on the court, played with all their heart and worked 100 per cent until the last whistle blew. Their resilience and determination was an inspiration to watch. After a close loss in the first game they were determined to pull it back to make the top 10 in the B grade which they did!