Clark earns spot in Ma¯ ori schools
Whanganui talent to play game in capital
Classy Whanganui cricketer Joel Clark has made the inaugural New Zealand Ma¯ori Schools side to play a Governor General’s XI in Wellington next month.
The team features players from all six major associations and Clark has earned his place through strong performances for central Districts Under17 X1 and for Air Chathams Whanganui in the Hawke Cup.
The Ma¯ori team, selected by longterm Northern Districts’ administrator Pat Malcon and NZC Talent Identification Manager Paul Wiseman, includes five players from Central Districts; three from Northern Districts, and one each from Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. It will be coached by Mark Borthwick, formerly of Wellington Blaze.
NZC Network and Participation Advisor Andrew Tara said the introduction of the NZ Ma¯ori Schools side was part of his organisation’s push to better connect with Ma¯ori.
“NZC’s over-riding strategy is for cricket to be a game for all New Zealanders, irrespective of race, religion,
NZ Ma¯ ori Schools Team
(iwi — Nga¯ Puhi me Nga¯ti Ra¯hiri Tumutumu) Whanganui Collegiate Tim Florence (Nga¯ ti Wha¯ tua) Auckland Grammar School
Ryan Jackson (Nga¯¯Ma¯ hanga a Tairi) St. Patrick’s College Silverstream
Joel Lavender (Te Ati Awa me Nga¯ Puhi) Marlborough Boys College
Ruben Love (Te A¯ ti Awa) Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Rhys Mariu (Nga¯ i Tahu me Nga¯ ti Tu¯ wharetoa) St Andrew’s College, Christchurch
Bailey McDonald (Nga¯i Tu¯ hoe) Lindisfarne College, Hastings
Kuwyn Price (Nga¯ ti Porou me Nga¯ ti Haua¯ ) St. Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton Nathan Robinson (Nga¯ ti Hei) Kings College, Auckland
Brayden Thomas (Te A¯ ti Awa) Southland Boys’ High School
Ollie White (Nga¯ ti Apa) Auckland Grammar School
Mitchell Williams-North (Rongomaiwahine) Napier Boys’ High School
gender or sexual orientation,” he said. “This is one of the ways we hope to extend the game’s reach and make it more accessible to underrepresented communities.”
The team, which will play a Governor General’s XI including former international Hamish Marshall on March 7 at Karori, will stay at the Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay.