Maia Lewis and Duncan Murray, respectively, will coach the girls and boys Māori Secondary Schools sides to play Governor General’s XIs at Wellington’s Karori Park later this month.
Lewis, a former WHITE FERNS captain who played nine Tests and 78 ODIs for New Zealand, will coach what will be the inaugural Māori Secondary Schoolgirl’s team; the boys side having been launched last summer.
The secondary schoolgirls team includes players from each of the six Major Associations, including four players who have represented their MAs at Under 19 level: Ocean Bartlett (CD), Sam Mackinder (Wellington), and Angelique Peyroux and Harriet Cuttance (both Otago).
Murray, an assistant coach with the Wellington Blaze, is the son of former New Zealand Test captain Bruce (Bags) Murray, and last season acted as the assistant coach of the inaugural Māori Secondary Schoolboys team.
The Māori Secondary Schoolboys team is also brimming with emerging talent, including five players from last year’s side as well as Ryan Jackson – a member of the New Zealand Under 19 squad.
It also includes Payton Spencer, the son of All Black Carlos Spencer.
Players from both teams will assemble in Wellington on Tuesday, February 18 and will stay at the Pipitea Marae for the remainder of the week, engaging in many activities, with a focus on connecting with tikanga.
The games will be played on Thursday, February 20, with the schoolgirls’ side playing two T20 matches (starting at 10.30am and 3pm) and the schoolboys side playing a 50-over contest (starting at 10.30am).
Former BLACKCAPS Test wicket-keeper Adam Parore will join both teams in a support and mentor role, and will be present at the capping ceremony at Pipitea Marae on Wednesday, February 19.
Both Māori teams were selected by Northern Districts’ Pat Malcon.
The Māori Secondary Schools initiative was the recipient of the ‘Innovation in School Sport’ award in 2019 presented by School Sport NZ (NZSSSC).
NZ Maori Schoolboys
Name | Iwi | School |
Lachie Bailey | Ngāti Raukawa & Ngāti Kāhungunu | Hutt International Boys School |
Joel Clark | Ngā Puhi & Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu | Palmerston North Boys High School |
Elias Falanitule | Te Rarawa | Sacred Heart College, Auckland |
Jacob Gilbert | Ngai Tāhu | Kings High School, Dunedin |
Curtis Heaphy | Ngai Tāhu | Palmerston North Boys High School |
Ryan Jackson | Ngā Māhanga a Tairi | St. Patrick’s College Silverstream |
Kuwyn Price | Ngāti Porou & Ngāti Hauā | St. Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton |
Nathan Robinson | Ngāti Hei | Kings College, Auckland |
Payton Spencer | Ngati Kāhungunu | Hamilton Boys High School |
Brayden Thomas | Te Ātiawa | Southland Boys High School |
Alex Thompson | Ngā Puhi | Onslow College |
Jamal Todd | Ngāti Whātua | Auckland Grammar School |
Head Coach: Duncan Murray, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Assistant Coach: Michael Tillett, Tamaki Makaurau
Assistant Coach: Michael Rameka, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
NZ Maori Schoolgirls
Name | Iwi | School |
Ocean Bartlett | Ngāti Porou & Ngā Puhi | St. Matthew’s Collegiate |
Waimarie Carter | Te Arawa | Onslow College |
Harriet Cuttance | Waikato Tainui | Columba College |
Marama Downes | Ngāti Tuwharetoa | Pakuranga College |
Ella Drumm | Ngāti Porou | Epsom Girls Grammar |
Ella Gibson | Tuhoe, Te Aitanga a Mahaki & Ngāti Porou | Lincoln High School |
Kayarna Jones-Dennes | Ngati Kāhungunu | Wairarapa College |
Sam Mackinder | Te Whānau-ā-Apanui | Palmerston North Girls High School |
Angelique Peyroux | Ngai Tāhu | Columba College |
Jess Smith | Ngā Puhi & Tainui | Kaipara College |
Anika Todd | Ngāti Whātua | Mount Albert Grammar School |
Chelsea Traill | Ngā Puhi | Whangarei Girls High School |
Head Coach: Maia Lewis, Ngāti Whātua & Ngāti Maniapoto
Assistant Coach: Tanya Morrison, Ngai Tāhu
Assistant Coach: Hannah Beatson, Ōtautahi
Article added: Tuesday 04 February 2020
