Westlake Girls Premier Netball has secured a place at the 2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship after an impressive top-four finish at the Upper North Island Secondary Schools tournament in Hamilton.
Under new coach Stacey Rasmussen, Westlake confirmed its place at Nationals on the penultimate day of competition, with the team’s experienced defensive unit playing a pivotal role throughout the tournament.
Tall Fern Imani Rasmussen was a standout, bringing international-level composure, defensive awareness and expertly timed pressure to the court. At goal defence, co-captain Aaliyah Sina’au was equally influential. Her high work rate disrupted opposition attacks, while her leadership proved invaluable both on and off the court.
The tournament also provided an important development opportunity for Year 10 players Alice Whyte, McKenzie Te Awa and Jaime Roozendaal. Competing at premier level allowed the trio to test themselves against some of the country’s strongest school players, learn from their experienced teammates and experience the demands of high-level tournament netball.
A defining performance came against Hamilton Girls’ High School. Westlake made a blistering start, racing to a 10–4 lead by the end of the opening quarter. Hamilton worked to close the gap over the following two quarters, but Westlake remained composed before pulling away to record a convincing 29–19 victory. The result secured Westlake a place in the semifinals and confirmed its qualification for Nationals.
Westlake is one of four teams affiliated with Auckland Netball to qualify for this year’s national tournament, which will be played at the Auckland Netball Centre.
There will also be a familiar Westlake connection among the opposition: South Island champion St Hilda’s Collegiate will be supported by its new principal, former Westlake Girls Associate Principal Nicky Whitham-Blackwell.
Westlake Girls is accustomed to strong support from its school and wider community, and competing close to home will give family, friends and supporters a valuable opportunity to get behind the team. That home-court support will provide an important boost as the players prepare to take on the country’s best secondary school sides.
With a strong blend of experienced leaders and emerging talent, Westlake Girls Premier heads into Nationals ready for its next challenge.
2026 New Zealand Secondary Schools Qualifiers
| UPPER NORTH ISLAND | LOWER NORTH ISLAND | SOUTH ISLAND |
| Mt Albert Grammar | St Marys College | St Hilda’s |
| Trident High | Scots College | St Margarets |
| Hamilton Girls | Queen Margaret | St Andrews |
| Westlake Girls | Wellington East | Ashburton |
| St Kentigern | Wellington College | Columba |
| St Marys |
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