This Year's Team was One of the Youngest Rutherford has Taken to UNISS in Recent Years
The Rutherford College UNISS Premier Netball team travelled to Hamilton to compete in the 2026 UNISS Netball Tournament, taking on some of the top secondary school netball teams from across Aotearoa.
This year's team was one of the youngest Rutherford has taken to UNISS in recent years. With only three Year 13 players Aaliyah, Dite and Isla - the team was made up of a young group who were thrown straight into the challenge of B Grade netball.
The girls faced some tough competition throughout the week but showed what they were capable of with a convincing 41–22 win over Aquinas College, a 35–28 win over Tauhara College, and a 41–27 win over Te Kura a Iwi o Manutūkē. They were also involved in some incredibly close battles, including a one-goal win against Sacred Heart Girls' College Hamilton, 25–24. Every game brought a new challenge, but the girls continued to learn, adapt and grow throughout the tournament. After a huge week of netball, the team achieved their goal of retaining their B Grade position, an incredible achievement for such a young group.
The girls were incredibly fortunate to have Anne Kirikiri coaching them throughout the tournament and 2026 season. As a rising New Zealand netballer who debuted for the Northern Mystics in the ANZ Premiership, Anne brought a huge amount of knowledge, experience and passion to the team. We were also incredibly lucky to have such a great group of supporters throughout the tournament. There wasn't a game that went by where we didn't have a support crew cheering us on - rain, hail, wind or shine! A huge thank you to all the whānau and staff who made the journey from Auckland to support us. You truly were our 8th player, and we honestly wouldn't have been able to do it without you.
Tournament is about so much more than just netball. It's everything in between. It's the ice baths, cooking and cleaning together, getting the 18-seater van stuck in the car park, cake wars, warming up with the opposition on the last day, initiation, blasting music in the van and matching PJs. It's the moments that don't make the scoresheet but become the memories the girls will talk about long after the tournament is over. It's a sisterhood that is hard to describe and a bond that only someone who has been to a tournament can truly understand. These girls have created something pretty special, and we know the memories and friendships made in Hamilton will last long after the final whistle.
A massive congratulations to Brooklyn, Aaliyah, Isla, Tessa, Dite, Ashlee, Nevayah, Venina, Stella, Niva, Hannah and Ayla for the way you represented Rutherford College throughout the week.
We are incredibly proud of this young team and what they achieved in Hamilton. The future of Rutherford Netball is looking exciting!
by Hannah Winter
