The Senior A netball team used all their skills, tactics and game play learnt throughout a successful 2018 to build a platform for the future at the South Island Netball Tournament in Dunedin.

With a team that comprised of Year 11 and Year 13 players, there was a mixture of experience and excitement on the first day, with half the team enjoying their first taste of premier secondary schools netball. The aim of the tournament was to use this diverse range of experience to blood the new players and set a platform for the years to come. As a result, many combinations were played to expose the players against Oxford Area School with a comfortable 42-25 win, where all girls contributed to the score line. The girls backed up the win with a great 27 all draw against Kavanagh College, who they had previously lost to at the Combined Catholic Schools Tournament in April. A very intense last quarter saw all spectators and coaches nervous, with however Roncalli showing grit and composure to come from behind and salvage the satisfying tie.

The last pool game against Ellesmere College would determine the placing of the teams in the pool. The girls endured their first defeat and unfortunately because of goal differential, came third in the pool. As is the sometimes cruel nature of tournament play, this  meant Roncalli was playing off for 17 - 32 position. 

With a point to prove, the girls played another great game against James Hargest, claiming the win 32 -19. This followed a game against the Dunedin Invitational Team in which loss of concentration put them under pressure to beat Hillmorton. The team came up trumps winning 41-26, placing them first in this pool and playing off for 17-20 position.

On the last day of tournament fatigue played a major factor for Roncalli, having to fight hard against Queens High School (25-39) and Collingwood Area School (37-40). Again, lapses in concentration at key moments meant the scoreline did not reflect the closeness of each contest, these defeats placing the girls in 20th position.

The team should be immensely proud of themselves and one another as they all played every game with pride, perseverance and passion.

We would like to sincerely thank Karen Metherell, Caroline McKay, Kate Gebbie, Karen Gebbie and Sarah Flynn for coaching, managing and helping with the team for the week, as well as Bridgette Johnson who came down as our umpire.

Thank you also to the parents, family and friends who traveled to watch the games.

Roncalli A: Bridey Flynn (Yr 13), Teisha Holden (Yr 13), Loren Sugrue (Yr 11), Kate McLachlan (Yr 11), Amanda Sheehan (Yr 13), Mia Harding-Richardt (Yr 11), Sophie Lyons (Yr 11), Tahlia George (Yr 11), Ella Reeves (Yr 13), Llewellah Priest (Yr 13).