Hero photograph
 
Photo by Lauren Engebretsen

UNISS 2018

PC SPORT —

Papamoa College Senior A Netball


On 3 September the Papamoa College Premier Senior A Netball team headed to the Harbourside Courts at Mount Maunganui, to compete in the week-long Upper North Island Secondary School Tournament. The students started off with a bang! Playing hard, working as a team and representing  Papamoa College with pride. The girls were lucky enough to have an inspirational and motivational talk from four girls who represented Epsom Girls' Grammar and New Zealand Secondary Schools (the eventual winners of the tournament). Our girls were left fascinated and impressed with the hours of training and work Epsom Girls' Grammar did just to represent their Premier Netball team.

Over the next few days, the girls competed in some very physical games coming away with some good wins and narrow losses. By day 4, the exhaustion and illnesses hit! With only four healthy students to take the court for day 5, the girls knew it was going to be challenging. Mental toughness, playing as a team and supporting each other was tested. It would be the last game for many of our girls so they needed to go out and play hard. They pulled themselves together even with their sneezing and coughing, to play an unforgettable game! After losing to this team the day before, the girls played their socks off and came away with a big win. Well done girls for showing your grit, determination and teamwork! A great high to end the season. 

A special thanks to Janelle and Maree for coaching this awesome bunch of girls. You have taken time out of your busy schedules to train, coach and support the team and I know how much they appreciate it. A big thanks to Patricia, who for years has supported netball, managed teams, organised treats every night at UNISS, taken charge of fundraising and organised everything. Her work was absolutely amazing and she has left big boots to fill for the next person. Bring on the 2019 Netball Season and UNISS in Upper North Harbour.