Young softball talent from around the country gathered for the Secondary School Softball Championships on 18 - 22 March. This year saw the Division 1 Competition, alongside Division 2 North Island Boys, at Rosedale Park on Auckland North Shore, while the South Island Division 2 Championships battled on the diamonds at Dynasty Ball Park in Christchurch.

Westlake Boys High School took out the Division 1 Secondary School Championship, defeating a previously unbeaten Alfriston College 7-0 in the final. While heading to the final undefeated, Alfriston College had no answer to the game put out by Westlake Boys, with the home crowd helping push the Westlake Boys to the title.
St Bernards College took out the North Island Division 2 Boys Championship final, defeating Pukekohe High School 11-10. In the 7th inning, Pukekohe held a slender 10-8 lead, when St Bernards - on their last at bat - put two on base before Mason Carey sent a shot over the outfield fence, claiming a walk-off victory. 

One Tree Hill College took out the Division 1 Secondary School Championship yet again, defeating Rosehill College in a great final, 4-3. While Rosehill held dominant for most of the game, lead on the mound by young talent Trinity Waiwiri-Toka, One Tree Hill College were able to break out in the final innings, with some well placed hits seeing them take the title. 

St Bernard's College took out the Division 2 Boys North Island Championships with a walk-off Automatic.

Congratulations to our champions from the SNZ Secondary School Championships held at Rosedale Park, Auckland. After four full days of competition, below are your winners, runners up, individual awards and tournament teams!

D1 Boys National Champions: Westlake Boys

D1 Girls National Champions: One Tree Hill College

D2 Boys North Island Champions: St Bernard's College

DIVISION 1 BOYS INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
- Top Batter: Caleb Dufty (St Peters)
- Top Pitcher & MVP: Tai Rhodes (Westlake)

DIVISION 1 GIRLS INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
- Top Batter: Iris Feng (Epsom Girls Grammar)
- Top Pitcher & MVP: Skylah-Breeze Joyce (OTHC)
 

DIVISION 1 BOYS TOURNAMENT TEAM: Richard Te Rure, Hunter Bailey, Vaelyn Tapiki, Xzavier Haddon, Jackson Tapiki (Alfriston), Tai Rhodes, Morgan Seymour, Taine Wilson (Westlake Boys) Wade Senden & Kuron Cloete (Mt Albert Grammar), Casey Hutchinson, Rawiri Amai, Caleb Dufty, Boston Allan, Elijah Blackall, Oliver Reinsfield (St Peters College). Wayne Rhodes (Coach, ex Westlake Boys), Amanda Kohlhase (Manager, ex St Peters)

DIVISION 1 GIRLS TOURNAMENT TEAM: Skylah-Breeze Joyce, Tiana Graham, Tyler Graham, Savannah-Lee Farrar, Tui Panui, Arihia Tukukini, Elyse Harold-Fasi (One Tree Hill College), Iris Feng, Jasmine Feng (Epsom Girls), Payton Hiraka (Mt Albert Grammar), Trinity Waiwiri-Toka, Sienna Dufty, Chelsea Te Puni (Rosehill College), Lucy Cadness-Aspinall, Hope Weller, Caitlin Todd (Westlake Girls), Brian Faunt (Manager, ex OTHC), Georgia Faunt (Coach, ex OTHC)
 

Division 1 Boys Tournament Team

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Congratulations to our Division 2 champions from the SNZ Secondary School Championships held at Dynasty Ballpark, Christchurch. After four full days of competition, below are your winners, runners up and MVP teams! \

* D2 Boys South Island Champions: St Bedes College
* D2 Boys South Island Runners Up: Shirley Boys High A

* D2 Girls South Island Champions: Rolleston College
* D2 Girls South Island Runners Up: Riccarton High School
 

SI DIV2 BOYS MVP TEAM:
Bronson Mackley-Flutey, Dane Jorgensen, Tate Forbes-Murch, Lincoln Te Tai, Zac Johnston, Andy Baird, Jayden Potts, Vili Fifita, Ken Kimoru, Ngakau Kenedy.
 

SI D2 GIRLS MVP TEAM:
Shyla de Lautour, Rhylee Anning-Bensley, Jada O'Neill, Avie Morgan, Kyla Thorstensen, Jazmine Moon, Hannah Jones, Anahera Algar, Ngaro Tamihana, Shanelle Allen.

Division 2 Girls South Island Champions: Rolleston College

For more information, including final standings and photos, make sure to visit the Secondary Schools Softball Championships Facebook Page! 

Article added: Friday 19 April 2024