Sacred Heart College is having a bumper sports year with a large number of students playing representative level in their different codes. 

Head of Sport Kate Coker says this has been the best cohort of students at regional representative level in the past five years. 

“We are immensely proud of their efforts and will continue to support students to reach their best in their chosen sport".

The 16 students represent several different sports including Netball, Basketball, Canoe Polo, Futsal and Football.  

Iriaka Peri has followed in the footsteps of her sister, mother and father who have all played netball, by being selected to play in the Hawke’s Bay Under 16 (White) Netball team. 

The year 11 student has been playing netball for the best part of seven years both at school and for her mother’s netball club ‘Toki’. She last represented Napier while at intermediate. 

“I’ve been surrounded by netball my whole life and I happen to have taken a liking to the sport which makes it really fun to be able to do it with my family.” 

Regardless, she says she was “surprised” to make the team. 

“The trials were very intimidating, but it was a good experience and I’ve made new friends from the team.” 

She is joined by fellow student Acacia Tamihana-Joe, who is in the HBU16 (Black) team. Makayla Jones made the Hawke’s Bay U15A Girls Basketball Team. 

Sophie Walker made the Central Region U16 Futsal Team and U18 Football Team, while Megan Thomas, Bethany Seymour and Laura Brassington made the Hawke’s Bay U14 Futsal Team. 

Megan also made the Hawke’s Bay U18 Girls Football team, and Laura and Aleesha Beams made the Hawke’s Bay U14 Girls Football team.

Megan, in year 10, says she wanted to improve her skills and felt being part of the team would enable her to do just that.

Georgia Kerins, in year 13, is among eight students to represent the region in Canoe Polo. 

She, along with Tessa Coory and Emily Deihl made the B1 (Storm) team, while Emily Kelly-Lowe and Michaela Symonds made B2 (Blizzard), Helena Street and Annabel Koko-Price B3 (Typhoon) and Hannah Rich B4 (Whirlwind).

Since first starting the sport in year 10, she has worked her way up the school, and regional teams. 

The fact that it is an underrated sport appeals to her.

“Lots of people don’t know a lot about Canoe Polo but I like it because you can get really involved while playing, and I’ve met a lot of cool friends.”

She hopes to continue the sport while at university next year.

Sports Co-ordinator Hinerangi Brooke Price congratulated the students and said they were “extremely proud” of their efforts and all they had achieved in their chosen sports.  

She said their achievements also had a “huge impact” on the younger girls who look up to them. 

“It shows the other students how working hard, and being committed, and doing your best in your sport can lead to some really great achievements, like making rep teams.

Their sports motto for the year is: “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you” – something which the girls have taken in their stride.

She thanked everyone from coaches to whānau for supporting the girls in their goals. 

“It's really good to see all the hard work that everyone puts in to make sure they get the best experience and opportunities that they can in sport.”