Te Waipounamu Netball

Te Waipounamu Maori Netball U13 Team 2024

In early February, the Te Waipounamu Māori (South Island Māori) Netball trials were held in Whakatu (Nelson), Ōtautahi (Christchurch) and Murihiku (Invercargill).

Freya Sutherland (Ngāi Tahu), Year 8 student at Trinity Catholic College, was selected to be part of the Te Waipounamu U13 team. Around 100 U13 netballers were trialing from across the Motu (Island). During February, March and April, Freya traveled around the Motu attending training sessions and a 3 day Noho in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). The girls were preparing for the Aotearoa Māori Girls Netball Tournament which was held in Rotorua over Easter weekend. During the sessions the focus was not just on netball skill development and game play but also Tikanga and whakawhanaungatanga. This was an amazing opportunity for Freya and the other Māori rangatahi involved. Congratulations to Freya for representing Ngāi Tahu and also Trinity Catholic College Netball.