This year we were fortunate enough to have five Waka ama teams compete at secondary Nationals. We had four J16 teams; 2 boys and 2 girls  teams and one J19 girls team, we couldn’t have made if it weren’t for endless support from family and friends but especially our outstanding coaches Mapera Naera, Joshua Steward and Michael Rogerson.

Leading up to Nationals, the majority of the teams had trainings 4 times a week if not everyday, some even began training late last year, which paid off in the end. We also completed our 20km paddle to Pukete boat ramp as a way of fundraising to help pay our fees...

Come Nationals everyone was nervous but excited to compete and experience what it was like to race on a national level. We had a hectic, eventful week with plenty of laughter. It was a good experience for all our new J16 teams as they had never been before, one of our J16 girls team was even ranked 5th best in the whole nation which is pretty impressive for a team that had never paddled Nationals before.

Most of all, we felt that this week brought us all closer together, and bond with each other more. We would also like to give a big thank you to Whaea Aroha and Whaea Roch for helping out and supporting us during this week and last but not least to all our whānau and friends who backed us up all the way.

Teams

J19 Girls

• Te Kirika Moanaroa-Manukau
• Ocyn-Li Tairakena-Moana
• Charlie Ryan
• Ronniek Paikea
• Anayda Jones-Brown
• Kahurangi Whare
• Kasey Cotter

(Yr 10) J16 Girls

• Te Au-mihi Moanaroa
• Dallas Langi-Wikaere
• Myah Gallichan
• April Osborne
• Reese Daniel-Hoani
• Jodie Ranui

(Yr 10) J16 Boys

• Quentin Johnstone
• Bosston Ngataki
• Kreate Diamond Penetito
• Jordan-Calai Watene
• Hunter Higgins
• Keen-Reggae Sunnex

(Yr 9) J16 Girls

• Carly Matthews-George
• Kitaana Kenny
• Ramania Matika
• Nevaeh Perese
• Hadar Puloutele
• Billy-Jean Emery
• Reah Smith-Muru

(Yr 9) J16 Boys

• Epapara Rawiri-Lloyd
• Valiant Clarke
• Kaea Devonshire
• Zyrus Marriot
• Joshua Bevan
• Riki Tarawhiti