Over the first week of the holidays the Christchurch Girls’ High School / Te Kura o Hine Waiora Senior A basketball team travelled to Palmerston North to compete in the Secondary Schools Basketball National Championship.

It was a huge success to qualify for Nationals, after a very successful South Island tournament!

Initially in Palmerston North the team was put in a very tough pool with Westlake Girls’, St.Peters College, Fielding High School, Rotorua Girls’ and Rangiora High School.

We came 4th in our pool with wins against Rotorua and Fielding. The team had a tough fight against Westlake (who were the winners of the tournament), St. Peters and Rangiora. Playing against these teams was an incredible experience for the girls, especially the juniors who had never experienced a national tournament before.

In the crossover games Christchurch Girls’ High School / Te Kura o Hine Waiora  won against Manurewa by 5 points, and unfortunately lost to Baradene College and Takapuna Grammar. However, the girls went on to place 14th out of 24 teams, a great result for a young team.

The goal for the team at the start of the season was to qualify for nationals, so making the middle section of the tournament was an awesome effort. Thanks to coach Sam Jenkins, assistant coach Courtney Godinet and manager Sam Ward. They have all put in many hours over the 2023 season. Plus, well done to all players for representing Christchurch Girls’ High School / Te Kura o Hine Waiora in such a positive manner at the Nationals.