Westlake Girls Claim Silver at UNISS, Top North Shore Netball Rankings
Westlake Girls High School secured a silver medal finish at the Upper North Island Secondary Schools (UNISS) Netball Championships last week, solidifying their place as the top netball school on Auckland’s North Shore.
After a gruelling week of ten matches against the region’s best teams — stretching from Kerikeri to Rotorua — Westlake came away with eight wins, dropping only two games. Their most satisfying victory came against Mt Albert Grammar School (MAGS), a team they had lost to three times earlier in the season.
Westlake’s impressive season began with a win in the Harbour Netball Tournament in June, where they defeated Rangitoto 29-11. They followed that up with a third-place finish in the fiercely competitive Auckland Secondary Schools Premier competition in August. A crucial win over MAGS in a top-eight playoff secured Westlake’s historic first-ever appearance in a UNISS final.
Head coach April Ieremia expressed pride in her squad’s resilience, especially considering key injuries. Captains Aaliyah Sina’au and Karmen Maritz were both sidelined before the tournament due to ankle injuries. “The young players stepped up perfectly and impressed on court,” Ieremia said.
Several standout players received individual honours. Defender Imani Rasmussen, shooter Phia Marshall, and mid-courter Talia Chatfield were named in the prestigious UNISS A Grade Tournament Team for their exceptional performances.
With just four weeks to prepare for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships in Wellington, Westlake will aim to continue its strong form. However, the players will once again have to contend with the formidable Howick College — the defending National Champions and the only team to beat Westlake at UNISS.