Due to winning the C Grade last year, we were moved up to B Grade and competed in that division at SISS this year. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience a higher level of competition, which allowed us to compare ourselves with some of the bigger schools. We were initially ranked 29th, but by the end of the tournament, we had climbed to 17th place! This was a huge achievement for us.  Despite facing some tough games that challenged us,  we remained competitive and positive.

I loved spending the week with such an amazing group of girls and building and developing a stronger team. One of the best aspects of this experience was gaining insight into our competitive standing compared to other schools and identifying the skills we need to develop to be more competitive next year.

Overall, I can speak on behalf of the entire team when I say this was an incredibly enjoyable and educational experience, and we can't wait for next year! A huge thank you to everyone who supported us in getting there; we wouldn't have had this opportunity without your help.

Sadie Mason, Netball Captain

It was a true privilege to take the nine students from TAS on this journey. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the girls, from fundraising efforts to the generous contributions of Trust Aoraki, Meridian, and Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park. Your support made this experience unforgettable.

Taking students away for a sports tournament not only allows us to see them in a different light but also doing something they are passionate about. We are incredibly fortunate to have been sponsored by such wonderful people, allowing us to dine out each evening and introduce the students to a variety of cuisines.

Results:

• vs Timaru Girls' High: 25 - 31
• vs Waimate High School: 30 - 30
• vs Westland High School: 34 - 18
• vs Mackenzie College: 33 - 16
• vs Ellesmere College: 36 - 22
• vs Amuri Area School: 30 - 28
• vs Greymouth High School: 31 - 30
• vs Westland High School: 40 - 13

Despite an early loss to Timaru Girls’ High and a draw against Waimate, which led to a countback and placed us third in our pool, the players responded with resilience. Entering the bottom 16 of the B grade was a challenge, but the team embraced it wholeheartedly. We set our sights on becoming the Best of the Rest—and they did just that! The girls won every subsequent game, ultimately being awarded the Nelson B Grade Plate for finishing 17th out of 32 teams.

We are already looking forward to Dunedin next year, with hopes of climbing even higher on the ladder!

Chelsea Lousley,
Sports Coordinator