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 

Article added: Friday 05 February 2021