After finishing 5th in the Auckland netball competition and then 5th at the Upper North Island Secondary Schools Championship, Westlake Girls’ top four finish at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Championship in Christchurch was a phenomenal way to finish the season.
The tall team was led by Year 13 defender Jaz Zanders, who was jointly awarded the Auckland Netball MVP of the Year, and her vice-captain, Tai Baillie, the NZ Under 20 Touch Squad member. They faced a tough pool in Christchurch with Howick College, the Auckland and Upper North Island champions. After struggling to beat New Plymouth Girls High School, 34-25, they went down to Howick 25-44 in their second match. This meant an all-important encounter against St Andrews College the next morning would determine a top 8 placing. The Christchurch team led for most of the game holding a 5-point lead going into the last quarter. However, in the last five minutes, Westlake went on a scoring spree to level the game at 39-39 and claim the final spot in the top 8 on points differential.
The uphill climb continued into the top half of the draw, with Wellington’s top team, St Marys, and the defending national champions Avondale in their group. Coach, April Ieremia asked her determined side to empty their tank against Wellington’s best, and they did! The thrilling goal-for-goal encounter handed St Marys their first loss of the season, 35-34.
Westlake’s next match was even more challenging. They needed to overcome Avondale College to secure a top 4 finish at nationals and potentially a finals spot. Staying in the game took indescribable willpower, but phenomenal shooting from Karmen Maritz and Phia Marshall kept Westlake close to the National Champs and victory in the final quarter, 35-34. Tears and screams of joy and elation filled Court 4 as the team had done the incredible and were now just one win away from making the final. The last time Westlake girls had made the final of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Champs was in 2018 when they went down to Mt Albert Grammar. Tawa College, however, was the last hurdle, and they were determined to push the North Shore side hard. With tired bodies and their fuel tanks nearly empty, Westlake went down to Tawa.
The Swans met fellow Auckland team St Kent’s in the bronze medal match, but by then, Westlake had played their best the previous day and went down by 10 points. It was a memorable week that rewarded Westlake with the top four finish they never expected until they arrived at the Christchurch Netball Centre.
The students now have a couple of weeks off before Summer Strength and Conditioning begins in November.
The team received support from the One Foundation Limited for travel expenses, for which they were very grateful.