Thunder: from left, back row: Victoria Whitfield (coach), Lauren Wood, Molly Macdiarmid, Tegan O’Dwyer, Ruby David, Kendall Muir, Peyton Barnard, Maia Calcinai; front row: Zara Barnard, Addy Abbott, Annelies Banks, Isla Newlands. Photo: Supplied.
A Cambridge team formed two years ago with a player centric aim has taken out the secondary schools’ premier grade title at Hamilton Netball Centre’s Saturday competition.
TVP Thunder beat Hillcrest High 33-31 in the final at Minogue Park while the Year Nine TVP Lightning side came third in its grade after beating Fraser Aotea 35-19.
TVP is short for Tom Voyle Park Sports Club.
Thunder coach Victoria Whitfield said her team – made up of players from Cambridge High and St Peter’s schools – started playing together two years ago when they were in Year 10.
“Many of the players had had negative experiences with high school netball, for various reasons. Some players had not made competitive teams but still wanted to play good netball,” she said.
“The focus is player-centric, where it is about what is in the best interests of the players. The roles of coach, manager and parent are to facilitate their journey, not dictate it.”
Hillcrest headed into the final as favourites having been undefeated in round three and both semifinals.
Despite intense pressure from the Hamilton team, Thunder hung on for the victory.
“We’ve had some minor changes in players over the last three years as some have gone to pursue other sports at elite levels, but the core group of players remains,” said Victoria.
“We changed the whole focus of the team so that success was determined by whether the players were enjoying the sport, and whether they felt supported and encouraged by their teammates and those in the wider team environment.”
The Lightning team are a melting pot of girls from Cambridge High, St Peter’s and Waikato Diocesan schools.
“They are another great example of a team of girls coming together to play competitive netball in a fun and supportive environment.”
Lightning: From left to right in this photo: Violet Mai, Emmerson Joll, Maeve Barnard, Ali Mason, Makayla Hollands, Ella Park, Maggie Davis, Samantha Hunt (absent, Olivia Bax and Bella Schick).
