AVIS Magic Netball Team Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio has kept a promise this week, delighting pupils of a local Tauranga school.

Last year Ameliaranne visited Merivale School as a McFall Fuel Ambassador and she promised the students she would come back.

True to her word on Tuesday Ameliaranne visited the Tauranga primary school to speak about her sporting journey much to the delight of the students.

Merrivale School Deputy Principal Heather Langley says that the students were so mesmerized with her height and the 'very real” messages Ameliaranne delivered.

'The message from Ameliaranne was don't be afraid to take risks and try something new. It's so powerful for our kids to hear this from a real inspiration like Ameliaranne,” says Langley.

'At one-point Ameliaranne had 90 kids in the school hall running round playing a game and she had them all eating out of the palm of her hand.”

The kids had not long got to school when Ameliaranne arrived and immediately they were full steam into physical games with the message that a sound body helps create a sound mind.

'When I saw them last year, I spoke about being brave. I encouraged the kids to practise growing your courage every day and they remembered that which was cool,” says Ameliaranne.

'They remembered me explaining how when I moved to New Zealand for netball, I had to be so brave but it really changed my life.”

'It's so special to come into the school and be on the kids level. For us as Netballers, to be in our communities we represent is hugely important.”

The commitment of McFall Fuel as a proud sponsor of the AVIS Magic Netball, to support Ameliaranne's visit to Merrivale School, is a no brainer for the company with the alignment of family-based values.

McFall Fuel CEO Sheryl Dawson says that impact of Ameliaranne's visit last year was hugely positive on the kids and it was important for her to return.

'The kids were all giving her hugs last year and begging her to come back,” says Sheryl.

McFall Fuel will continue to support the netballer being out in our community touching the lives of a wide range of people.

'For me I love going into our communities and being able to go back to Merrivale School was just amazing,” says Ameliaranne.

Having just come off a second-round loss to the Robinhood Northern Stars, Ameliaranne was open about the disappointment with the kids but also shared that it's your attitude after upsets that shape your next win.

'I just loved seeing them all again and them sharing about how they've practised their courage.”

The AVIS Magic play the MG Northern Mystics this Sunday March 19 at Globox Arena, Hamilton at 4.10pm.