After formidable performances at the South Island secondary schools tournament last month, both will represent the South Island at the national secondary schools championships in Porirua.
St Hilda’s were crowned the South Island champions after they had a comprehensive 56-43 win over Nayland College at the Edgar Centre.
Their captain, Aya Moetaua, had a special connection to the title. Her mother, Kate, who died from cancer in 2018, also won the South Island title, with Marlborough Girls’ in 1988.
St Hilda’s are coached by former Silver Fern Belinda Colling, who has her own special connection to the trophy, having won it as a player at Logan Park High School in the 1990s.
Moetaua and team-mate Kyla Ashton were identified as talented players at the South Island tournament, and Moetaua and Ruby Hore were recently named in the New Zealand secondary schools squad.
St Hilda’s have been drawn in pool C alongside Westlake Girls’, Manukura and St Andrew’s.
Columba, who also have a former Silver Fern as coach in Jodi Brown, will also test themselves against the best in the nation.
They were strong throughout the South Island tournament and wrapped up fourth place after losing 25-19 to St Margaret’s in their playoff.
St Margaret’s, Nayland and St Andrew’s will also represent the South Island at the national tournament.
Columba have been drawn in pool A alongside Howick College, Napier Girls’ and Mt Albert Grammar.
Howick won the title last year after pipping Avondale College 35-34 in a dramatic final in Christchurch. St Kentigern College finished third, followed by Westlake Girls’.
It was Howick’s second title. Their first was in 2017.
The tournament gets under way on Tuesday and finishes on Friday.
