New Zealand Secondary School Team Champions Again

New Zealand Secondary School Team Champions Again

New Zealand have successfully defended their International Schools Girls Challenge Title edging out Australia 29-23 in the final in Adelaide today.

New Zealand trailed the Australians throughout the first half but produced an heroic second half which lead to a six goal victory.

“They got about five goals in a row in the first quarter and it took us probably half way through the third quarter to get ourselves in front,” said New Zealand Secondary Schools coach Adrienne Morrin.

“ We pretty much held a two goal buffer right until the last five minutes then we pulled it out a bit more.”

“The girls managed to stay composed. They worked hard as a team together and just got on top of the Australians and made sure they stayed there.”

The victory all that much sweeter after the Australians edged out the New Zealanders by one goal (24-23) in round robin play

“Today we stuck to our game plan where the other day I think we went on the court looking at them and seeing what they were going to bring… we were determined to turn that around,” Morrin said

The defeat to Australia in the round robin competition New Zealand’s only loss of the tournament.

They beat Indigenous School Sport Australia 55-6, Bukit Jalil Sports School Malaysia 54-16, Aotearoa Maori 36-22, the Pacific Rims 40-36 in section play before going onto beat Aotearoa Maori in their cross over match 36-24.

Morrin said the team’s strong showing at the tournament was partially due to some great leadership from some of the side’s senior players; Sophia Fenwick, Kirsten Hurley and Sulu Tone Fitzpatrick.

“I think just their leadership with some of the younger players made a big difference to the team coming together.

“We have had a few stars emerge. Wing defence Stacey Peeters who is from Gore, she can change the game even if it just one or two intercepts per game. Tera Maria Armani, who has been in the goal shoot role, has missed very very few goals. So pretty good team effort really.”

The tournament win marking the end of the an era for coach Morrin, whose taking up the reigns of the New Zealand under-21 side.

“It is hugely satisfying from that point of view. I have been involved for four years, I was assistant coach for two years. It is just good to see that we can continue turning that style of netball out.”

ends

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