There will be a whanau-like feel to this year’s Māori Secondary Schoolgirls and Schoolboys teams with 12 returning players, as well as two sets of siblings, ready to take on the Governor General’s XI’s next week.
Seven players from the boys’ team return, including Kuwyn Price, who’s been involved every year since the team’s inception in 2019.
And in the girls’ side, five players return, with Central Hind Ocean Bartlett appearing for the second time after being involved in the 2020-21 Dream11 Super Smash.
The whanau feel flows through to the coaching setup too, with former BLACKCAPS Test wicket-keeper Adam Parore returning to assist boy’s Head Coach Duncan Murray.
“To have Adam involved once again is fantastic,” said Murray.
“He brings plenty of coaching nous to the table but is also a great person for the players to talk to and glean experience from,” he said.
Former WHITE FERN Maia Lewis is coaching the girls for a second season with help from WHITE FERNS and Wellington Blaze representative, Thamsyn Newton.
“I’ve always loved the act of giving back to young girls involved in sport,” said Newton.
“Being a Wellington local and having seen the success of Māori teams in previous seasons, I wanted to put my hand up and get involved.
“These school teams are a positive step towards increased Māori involvement in cricket and as a Cook Island Māori, I’m looking forward to meeting the players, learning more about the Māori culture and enjoying this unique experience.”
Players from both teams will assemble in Te Whanganui-a-Tara on Tuesday, February 9 and will stay at the Pipitea Marae for the remainder of the week.
Murray said the marae offers players a chance to engage in many activities, with a focus on connecting with tikanga.
“Staying on the marae offers a vast point of difference to the other cricket tours these players have experienced,” said Murray.
“The chance to connect with their iwi and ancestors makes it unique and special, building a strong team culture in the short time we spend together.”
NZC Network and Participation Advisor, Andrew Tara, said the NZ Māori Schools programme is helping give cricket more visibility to Māori communities.
“NZC’s overriding strategy is for cricket to be a game for all New Zealanders, irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation,” he said.
“We’ve noticed over the three years an increasing buzz around the matches. They are something players want to be involved with and represent their whanau, iwi and school.”
The teams will play a T20 double-header at Wellington College on Wednesday 10 February, before 50-over matches at Karori Park the following day.
Both Māori teams were selected by Northern Districts’ Pat Malcon.
Māori Secondary Schoolboys:
Name Iwi School
Lachie Bailey Ngāti Kuia Hutt International Boys School
Anthony Bolton Ngāti Tūwharetoa Sacred Heart College, Auckland
Elias Falanitule Te Rarawa & Ngā Puhi Sacred Heart College, Auckland
Shale Foy Tainui & Ngā Puhi New Plymouth Boys High School
Curtis Heaphy Ngai Tāhu Palmerston North Boys High School
Bayley Latter Ngāti Toa Palmerston North High School
Angus Lyver Ngāti Toa Palmerston North Boys High School
Henry McIntyre Ngāti Raukawa & Ngāti Toa St. Patricks College Wellington
Kuwyn Price Ngāti Porou & Ngāti Hauā St. Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton
Payton Spencer Ngati Kāhungunu & Muaupoko Hamilton Boys High School
Alex Thompson Ngā Puhi Onslow College
Jamal Todd Ngāti Whātua Auckland Grammar School
Māori Secondary Schoolgirls:
Name Iwi School
Dayle Anderson Tainui Rosehill College
Kiri Anderson Tainui Rosehill College
Elle Archer Tainui & Ngāti Māhanga Tauranga Girls College
Ocean Bartlett Ngāti Porou & Ngā Puhi St. Matthews Collegiate
Waimarie Carter Tūhoe, Ngāti Pikiao & Ngāti Manawa Onslow College
Olivia Clark Ngai Tāhu St. Matthews Collegiate
Reese Drager Ngāti Kāhungunu Taradale High School
Tessa Dyzell Ngā Puhi Diocesan School for Girls
Ella Gibson Tūhoe, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki & Ngāti Porou Riccarton High School
Jess Smith Tainui & Ngā Puhi Kaipara College
Anika Todd Ngāti Whātua Mount Albert Grammar School
Estella Wallace Ngai Tāhu Christchurch Girls High School
Match Schedule:
Wednesday 10 February
NZ Māori Schoolgirls v Governor Generals XI
Wellington College, 10:30am
NZ Māori Schoolboys v Governor Generals XI
Wellington College, 2:30pm
Thursday 11 February
NZ Māori Schoolgirls v Governor Generals XI
Karori Park, 10:30am
NZ Māori Schoolboys v Governor Generals XI
Karori Park, 10:30am
**All matches will be LIVE SCORED on https://scoring.nzc.nz/# and on the NZC App.**
Match Officials:
Umpires:
Tyron Davies
Allen Stanley
Christelle High
Marise Fernandes
Scorers:
Jane Silvester
Jeff Stuart
