On Sunday 2 September, our Senior A UNISS Netball team headed off to Mount Maunganui for an exciting and tough week of netball.  With 11 students packed into the van, Debbie Blythen, Sam Panoho, Taydea Llewell-Huriwaka and I were looking forward to an amazing week of netball.

Students Sophie Blundell, Stacey Blythen, Tyana Fenney, Amelia Fotu-White, Brooke Henderson, Samantha Llewell, Jahnae Llewell-Huriwaka, Lanea Llewell-Huriwaka, Tegan Marychurch, Indiana Panoho and Nikki Reeves-Price made up our UNISS team for 2018.

It was a great week of netball – fierce competition with a mixture of results.  Our skill level and tactics improved as the week progressed and we ended the competition with a win over a team that we had lost to previously that week – a great way to end our week at UNISS.

I would like to personally thank these people. Debbie Blythen, ​our camp mother, for keeping us fed for the week, washing uniforms and also taking care of bench duties allowing us to focus solely on the team during games. Nga mihi nui, whaea! My manager, Sam Panoho​ for everything she did in the background, our itinerary, well-being of the girls, care for their injuries and coordinating the whole week down in Tauranga. It goes without saying that your awhi and tautoko this year were amazing as always. Nga mihi nui hoki ia koe, e hoa! My Assistant Coach, Taydea Llewell-Huriwaka​, who became, interpreter, hairstyler, strapper, stats recorder, and was always there to lend a hand whenever and wherever it was needed. Your tautoko towards everyone this year never went un-noticed and thanks so much Taydz. To our sponsors, Kaipara Kumara, Kaipara Refuse and Lyndsey Barge, ​thank you for your continuous contributions to our kura and more importantly Ruawai College Netball 2018. Hoodies, drink bottles, gear bags, strapping tape and the Kaipara Kumara van for a week, was made possible because of your generosity and your commitment to our kura. Nga mihi arohanui kia koutou!

Thank you to the many whanau who supported us down there and especially a big ‘shout out ‘to the girls who gave 100% commitment, hard work and effort to their games throughout the week. – Raymonde Huriwaka

Please find photo’s below