The Western U19 Development team have returned from the Netball Waikato Age Group Tournament unbeaten after three games in Hamilton on Sunday 3rd July.

Western U19 Development competed in section 2 of the U19 grade where they faced teams all based in the Upper North Island.  Furthermore young Manawatu GA, Sarah Thomson, was awarded U19 Player of the Grade. A significant achievement considering the amount of talented players and teams who took part in the tournament.

In their first game Western faced Mangere Otahuhu.  It was a gritty match with Western Development only pulling away in the third quarter to win 37-27.  Western Development's fitness was again the deciding factor versus Whangarei in their second game of the day.  Western won this by a similar margin 37-25.  Their final match versus Papakura was more of a one-sided contest, with Western Development running away with the win 35-13.

Throughout the day Thomson landed shots from all areas of the goal circle and directed the attack.  Her Player of the Grade award was based on nominations from opposing teams in which she was consistently picked as the outstanding player in each game she played.  Thomson built a strong shooting partnership with tall GS Kerri Gowler who grew in confidence throughout the day.  While mid-courters Eleanor Hogan, Karaihi Peina and Jessica Williams consistently made themselves available, driving the ball down the court.  In the defence end captain Siobhan Wooding and Alana Erceg picked up plenty of ball, making it difficult for the opposition to put their shots up.  They were joined by last minute recruit Kate Cadwallader, who slotted into the team well as a gritty WD/GD.

In other news the Western U21 team travelled to Porirua on Sunday for a pre-season game versus Wellington.  They came away with a win, 60-53 which was a great indicator, considering three of the team, Brooke Leaver, Renee Matoe and Sheridan Bignall had limited game time due to niggling injuries.  This weekend they head to Hamilton for pre-season games versus Waikato, Auckland-Waitakere and North in perparation for the NZAGC in Nelson from July 18-21.

Western U19 Development Team

Western U21 Team