2009 New Zealand Secondary Schools champion Tu Toa was named Maori Sports Team of the Year at Saturday evening's Maori Sports Awards, hosted by the Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust in the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau.
After qualifying for five consecutive New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships, and previously "knocking on the door" with two thirds, a fourth and a fifth placing, Tu Toa won the 2009 title by defeating Mt Albert Grammar 34-33 in a thrilling Final.
The winning team was:
Sheridan Bignall & Lauretta Rooney-Cribb (co-captains), Rhiarna Ferris, Brooke Leaver, Renee Matoe, Whitney Cassidy, Kayla Gulbransen, Shantelle Renata, Star Scott, Renee Te Rini.
Coach: Yvette McCausland-Durie
Assistant Coach: Colleen Trembath
Manager: Jill McCausland
Primary Care: Ra Durie
Video Analysis: Nathan Durie
Netball was represented in three other categories of the 2009 National Maori Sports Awards by a brilliant Silver Fern, an inspirational coach and an outstanding administrator, as follows:
2009 Maori Sports Administrator of the Year Finalist: BRIAR MARTINDALE (Te Atiawa)
Briar's passionate commitment to netball spans every level of the sport, local, national & international. Her current roles are: Vice President, web editor and draw steward for the Papakura Netball Centre; Treasurer, player, umpire and web editor for the Aztec Sports Club; Netball Development Manager for Netball New Zealand; and Executive for the Oceania Netball Federation. Briar also held the role of Maori Development Co-ordinator (Te Kaihautu) with Netball New Zealand from 2007 until earlier this year.
2009 Maori Sports Coach of the Year Finalist: YVETTE McCAUSLAND-DURIE (Ngati Awa)
2009 has been a tremendous year for Yvette, who coached the talented young franchise team Central Pulse to their memorable first ANZ Championship victory, over the 2008 champions, NSW Swifts; helped the NZU21 side win silver at the World Youth Championships; and then guided Tu Toa to their first-ever NZ Secondary Schools Championship title.
2009 Senior Maori Sportswoman of the Year Finalist: TEMEPARA GEORGE (Ngapuhi)
After a fine season as captain of the Northern Mystics franchise team in the 2009 ANZ Championship, Temepara returned to the Silver Ferns where she made an immediate impact at centre and wing attack. She was re-appointed vice-captain, named Player of the Match in the 3rd Test against the World 7, and Silver Ferns Player of the New World International Series against the Australian Diamonds.
Temepara then played in all six matches of the Silver Ferns' triumphant World Netball Series campaign, and gained her 70th test cap (second only to Irene van Dyk among current players) in their final match of the season, against Jamaica in October.
Click here for more information about the Maori Sports Awards.
Slideshow Image: 2009 NZ Secondary Schools champions Tu Toa.