Villa Maria College qualified for New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) courtesy of winning the South Island Secondary Schools competition. They will be in Pool C, with their opening game against Wellington East on Tuesday at 9.30am. Live scoring is available: Click here.

We caught up with Coach Helen Mahon-Stroud ahead of a big week of netball for her team.

CNC: The netball season has been over for a few weeks now. What have you done to prepare for NZSS?

HM-S: We wanted to keep the girls playing so arranged inter-squad games with some of our Villa B team players, two games against CGHS and an invitation team on Saturday. We were also mindful of mixing it up so have had sessions at Scarborough Park by the beach and Hagley Park. A group of rowers attended a camp in Twizel last week so were cross training while the rest had skills session in the warm spring conditions at Elmwood Park.

CNC: Have any of your team experienced NZSS or a tournament like this before?

HM-S: No, this will be a new and exciting experience for them. It’s an opportunity for the players and team to challenge themselves at this level, gain the experience and take it with them to future tournaments.

CNC: What teams will you be facing in your opening pool games?

HM-S: Wellington East, Mount Albert Grammar and St Hildas

CNC: Who do expect to be the hardest opposition (pool round) and why?

HM-S: All games are going to be competitive. The beauty of playing at NZSS is the opportunity to play teams we haven’t encountered before, challenging our ability to assess the opposition quickly and adjust our game plan if and where needed.

CNC: What do you think will be the biggest challenge during the Tournament?

HM-S: The challenge will be to remain performance focussed, take one game at a time and relish the opportunity to play together and represent the school in the national tournament.

CNC: Describe your team in three words ...

HM-S: Team of Athletes

Many thanks Helen and good luck to you, your management and players at NZSS!

Players:

Olivia Burnham
Charlotte Freeman
Sophie Gill
Sophie Glass
Hannah Glen
Brieley Maynard
Sophia Morton
Samara Northmore
Charlotte O’Rourke
Janae Riordan
Georgia Stroud
Julia Wynands

Captain: Georgia Stroud
Coach: Helen Mahon Stroud
Assistant Coach: Julie Glen
Manager: Kirsten Gill

Article added: Sunday 07 October 2018