As the largest secondary school’s sport, it’s not easy to qualify for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship. For Westlake Girls, it’s been four years since we qualified for the Netball Nationals but after a committed and heartfelt UNISS tournament last week, the team is heading to Christchurch for it with the best schools in the country. One hundred and 26 teams participated at the Upper North Island Netball Champs over Winter Tournament Week with 32 schools north of Taupo competing to be one of the top six schools to represent the Upper North at the NZSS event from 7 – 11 October.
Westlake Girls tough draw resulted in a well-earned 5th place at UNISS after facing the New Zealand Champions, Avondale College, in pool play, Howick College, the Auckland Champions, in the top 16 and then Mt Albert Grammar in a do-or-die top 8 clash to make the semifinals. Losing three out of their 10 matches, the top North Shore team showed resilience and persistence to prevail over Trident College, 29-27, Kristin 32-30 and then Hamilton Girls 35-22 in their final attempt to qualify for Nationals.
Impressive and intense defense work from Year 11 student, Aaliyah Sina’au inspired her team and she was rewarded with selection into the UNISS Tournament Team which is reserved for the top 20 players at the event.
Westlake Girls has qualified for NZSS several times in the past with their best finish in 2018 when they finished runners up and then bronze medalists in 2019. They are now one of 6 Auckland teams, Howick, Avondale, St Kents, MAGS and Epsom Girls to contest top honours in Christchurch next month.