Junior A Netball Going from Strength to Strength

Written by Co-Captains, Niamh Booth and Chelsea Jarvie.

In the first week of the June-July school holidays, the Junior A Netball team made its way up to Christchurch for the SISS Netball Tournament to compete against teams from across the South Island in the mixed Year 9-10 grade.

DAY 1, 30th June

We made our way to Nga Puna Wai stadium to compete against Verdon at 11:30am. We gave it our all and took the win, 38-9! Our second game was against Kaikoura at 4:30pm; it was a tough game and Kaikoura took the win, 39-21.

After a great first day we made our way back to Rangi Ruru boarding house with laughter and smiles.

DAY 2, 1st July

Our first game of the day was against Te Aratai, at 10:30am. We took the win 32-18.

With this win, the Junior A netball team qualified for the top 16 out of 32 teams in the South Island. For our second game of the day, we played South Otago at 3:30pm but didn't win this game.

The second day was over and we left the stadium feeling elated we had made the top 16.  We headed back to the boarding house with excitement for tomorrow's journey.

DAY 3, 2nd July

We knew today's games were going to be difficult but we were up for the challenge! With the first game against Māruawai at 8:30am, it was a tough start and we unfortunately lost 42-17. The second game was against Dunedin’s Otago Girls 10A.  We arrived for our 1:30pm game excited and determined from our previous loss in the morning. The score was tight the whole game, but in the end we won 20-16!

The third game of the day was at 7:30pm against the Waitaki Girls. It was a big day! Competing now for 9th-12th place, Waitaki took the win, 36-12.

DAY 4, 3rd July

Our very last game of the Tournament was at 12.30pm against Burnside. We were competing for 11th and 12th. Burnside was up by a few points most of the game, but we made a comeback in the third quarter. But Burnside pulled away again in the final minutes and we lost 24-19. 

The Junior A Netball Team came 12th overall and we have made so many memories as a team, and as friends. We are so incredibly grateful for being able to compete in that Tournament and we couldn’t have done it without everyone who supported us. 

Dunedin Tournament  - Invitational Team

On the 27th of July, our Junior A Netball Team was invited to be a part of a competition against Dunedin and Otago representative netball teams. We had an amazing first game, winning against Wakatipu by one point! 

The second game was against North Otago; another tightly contested game and unfortunately we lost by only two points. Our last game was against Dunedin. We were close the whole game and ended up winning by three.

Trinity’s Junior A came 1st overall!

These Tournaments really contribute to the development of our skills, and our team culture overall. They have therefore been important to our overall season as a team and, with about four more games left in the Junior A season this year, we are getting stronger and stronger.

It has been so fun for us to be co-captains this year and we are incredibly thankful for our amazing coach Lauren Jarvie for sharing with us her knowledge of the game, and helping us individually and as a team. Special mention to our manager Michaela Ryan who keeps us organised and makes sure we are well fueled and prepared for the games ahead. Thanks to our amazing sideline supporters, and the wider encouragement from our friends and teachers at Trinity. 

Thank you to our sponsors:

- Metalworks Otago

- Reid Cooper Gray

- Flagstaff Dunedin

- LJ Hooker Dunedin - The Hermens Group

- Programmed.