Netball – fun, fast-paced and flourishing at Strathallan
“It’s a fun, fast-paced team game where you can build skills, stay active and form strong friendships.” This is how Sports’ Co-ordinator, Renee Dean, accounts for the growing popularity of netball at ACG Strathallan. In fact, with twelve teams competing from years 7 to 13, the 115 girls participating make up 12% of Strathallan’s college roll, making netball the school’s most popular sport.
Netball’s growth from seven teams in 2018 to twelve this year is quite phenomenal, but as Renee points out, it’s a sport that has a lot to offer. “Netball promotes teamwork and physical fitness in a fun and supportive environment,” she says, “and it helps foster a strong sense of community and school pride.” Along with the obvious health benefits, netball also builds fundamental skills. “It helps develop coordination, agility, and strategic thinking, and as a team sport it encourages co-operation and communication.” And it’s accessible – all you need is a ball, a hoop and a flat surface.
It’s Renee’s job to source coaches and managers for Strathallan’s many sports teams, so it’s a mammoth task staffing 12 teams in the one code. Some senior students coach junior teams, adding leadership and mentorship to their skillset. As for the rest: “We advertise with local netball centres - Papakura, Pukekohe and Manurewa - or on Seek,” Renee says. “We’re also fortunate to have some teams coached by a parent, while others are found through word of mouth in the school community.”
It was word of mouth that helped secure former Silver Fern, Daneka Tuineau, as the coach of Strathallan’s Premier team this year. Daneka was Goal Shoot for the Ferns from 2002 to 2010 and is already having a significant impact. “The girls are already improving so much from Daneka’s coaching,” says Renee. “Her involvement in national and international level netball means she brings a wealth of experience to personal fitness instruction and mental skills coaching.”
It’s clear that the girls feel privileged to have Daneka as their coach, and value her knowledge and understanding of the game. “You don’t often come across a coach with the kind of talent, athleticism, and netball smarts that Daneka has,” says Premier team captain, Sofia Gonzales Masias. “She really knows her stuff when it comes to netball, and it’s made a huge difference for so many of us. Her energy and athleticism push us to work harder and play smarter, and she always does it in such a positive and supportive way. What’s awesome is how much game knowledge she brings — from tactics to clever plays, she always has something new to teach us, especially when things get tough on court. She’s genuinely committed to helping each of us be our best, and we’re so excited to keep learning and growing with her.”
As Renee points out, it’s not just the Premier team that is benefitting from Daneka’s expertise: “Many of the girls in Daneka’s team are also coaches of our junior teams so the knowledge and skills are getting passed down to our junior levels.”
Teams train at least once a week, and with Strathallan’s multi-sport gymnasium, fitness room, two turf courts and the primary school outdoor court there is plenty of space to accommodate all twelve teams. Games take place every Wednesday and all teams compete in the local competition at Papakura Netball Centre. In addition, the year 7&8 teams participate in the North Counties Netball tournament and the top Year 7&8 team competes at AIMS Games in Tauranga each year, while the Premier team attends the annual UNISS (Upper North Island Secondary Schools) Tournament as part of winter tournament week.
The netball season is just beginning, and we’re excited to see the girls’ enthusiasm shine on court. One thing is certain - their confidence and skills will continue to develop as the season progresses, just as netball’s popularity continues to grow at Strathallan.
