Hamilton schoolmates Grace Watson and Kate Littlejohn follow a similar sporting path while fortunately not battling each other.
The St Paul’s Collegiate School students both played in the International Schoolgirls Netball Challenge in Auckland, Grace with the New Zealand secondary schools team and Kate as part of the Aotearoa Maori secondary schools side.
NZSS won the final against School Sports Australia 39-30.
The NZSS team beat School Sports Australia earlier in the week by just four goals, so the team were well aware that a near flawless performance was required to lift the trophy for the third year running.
Kate’s team overcame Fiji 43-15 in the play-off for third and fourth.
Originally from Opotiki, Grace plays at goal shoot or goal attack while Kate, who previously attended Puketaha School and Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, is at the other end of the court (goal keep/goal defence).
Grace, 15, was joined in the NZSS team by Courtney Elliott from Tai Wanaga Ki Ruakura.
The Aotearoa Maori secondary schools side also included Ali Wilshier from Waikato Diocesan School for Girls and Deyna Tukere from Nga Taiatea Wharekura at Rotokauri.
Both Grace Watson and Kate Littlejohn, members of their school’s rowing team, also play for the Suburbs Phoenix club netball side in Hamilton.
