Aotearoa Māori Schools and Pasifika Schools have named squads ahead of the second Rangatahi Cricket Festival, starting Wednesday in Auckland/

NZC have named eleven new caps in the Aotearoa Māori Schoolboys squad to compete in the second edition of the Rangatahi Cricket Festival.

Samuel Payne (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Jerome Robinson (Ngāti Raukawa) return from the 2023 squad, alongside Will Julian (Ngāti Ranginui) who impressed at the 2023 Gillette Cup.

Julian racked up 217 runs at Gillette Cup, including a mammoth 156 run innings – the third-highest score ever recorded at the national schoolboys’ tournament.

The Aotearoa Māori Schoolgirls welcome eight returning players to the squad which will be led by Tanya Morrison and Aotearoa Māori Wahine captain Kerry Tomlinson.

Five players join the squad fresh from representing Aotearoa Māori at the South Seas Healthcare Pacific Cup, namely – Dayle Anderson (Tainui), Mollie Drumm (Ngāti Porou), Emma Parker (Ngā Puhi), Jess Smith (Ngā Puhi, Tainui) and Anika Todd (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara).

Jess and Anika’s selection represents an impressive fourth appearance in a Māori Schoolgirls side.

Anika was particularly impressive at the recent National Women's Under 19 Tournament – scoring 158 runs, taking 8 wickets, and captaining the Auckland side to victory.

The squads will again face-off against Pasifika Schoolboys and Schoolgirls and Governor General’s Schoolboys and Schoolgirls teams in three Twenty20 matches and a 50 Over match over three days at Cornwall Park in Auckland.

This will be the second season that Pasifika Schools will compete in the Festival, providing a platform for Auckland-based cricketers of Pasifika descent to display and cultivate their talent.

St Paul’s all-rounder Solomon Nash (Samoa) rejoins the squad for a second time and impressed as top run-scorer for the Pasifika Schoolboys’ last year.

Luke Harrison (Samoa) is a new addition to the squad; his off-spin proving a valuable asset to Westlake Boys’ in their recent Gillette Cup campaign.

Zamera Ikiua (Cook Islands) and Esther Williams (Cook Islands) recently represented the Cook Islands at the South Seas Healthcare Pacific Cup, and should both play large roles for the Schoolgirls.

As NZC Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Andrew Tara, explains, the purpose of the tournament is multi-faceted.

“NZC is really excited to see these programmes develop and provide a vehicle for young athletes to connect with their culture through cricket,” says Andrew.

“The festival provides young cricketers playing opportunities against quality opposition, in addition to the opportunities they are already getting for their schools and Major Association.

“This kaupapa continues to grow, proven by a 1500 per cent increase in nominations on last season.

“It tells us that there are plenty of rangatahi keen to represent their school and Iwi on the cricket field and connect with their culture through our game.”

The celebration of cricket and culture will begin with a powhiri - traditional Māori welcome - and opening ceremony at Orakei Marae on Tuesday, followed by a cultural performance evening on Thursday for all attending players.

Cornwall Cricket Club grounds. Photo: Supplied.

The experiences align with NZC’s commitment to develop and provide vehicles for young athletes, enabling them to connect with their culture through cricket.

The Rangatahi Cricket Festival gets underway on Wednesday at the Cornwall Cricket Club at Cornwall Park. Matches will be live scored at nzc.nz and on PlayHQ.

South Seas Healthcare will be on site with a full activation zone, kids games, health checks, giveaways, plus plenty of food for all the whanau.

Aotearoa Māori Schoolboys

Bryn Thurlow (Ngāi Tai) - Waimea College
Te Manewha Rikihana (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai and Ngāti Toa Rangatira) - Rangitoto College
Jack Dry (Te Ātiawa) - Christchurch Boys High School
Charlie Pawson (Ngāti Kahungunu) - Napier Boys High School
Aidan Simpkins (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao) - Takapuna Grammar School
Pōtiki Hamilton-Morrison (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngā Rauru, Kai Tahu) -Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te whānau tahi
Harry Sixton (Ngāti Kahu, Te Ātiawa) - Auckland Grammar School
Ryan Smardon (Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu) - Avondale College
Jayden Mataira (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Ātiawa) - Hutt International Boys School
Arana Cronin-Stone (Ngāti Kahungunu) - St. Patrick's College Silverstream
William Julian (Ngāti Ranginui) - Wellington College
Samuel Payne (Ngāti Kahungunu) - Wairarapa College
Jerome Robinson (Ngāti Raukawa) - Palmerston North Boys High School
 

Aotearoa Māori Schoolgirls
Elle Archer (Ngāti Mahanga) - Tauranga Girls College
Mollie Drumm (Ngāti Porou) - Epsom Girls Grammar School
Katriel Thomas (Ngāti wai) - Lincoln High School
Emma Parker (Ngā Puhi) - Kāpiti College   
Anika Tauwhare (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) - Epsom Girls Grammar School
Dayle Anderson (Tainui) - Rosehill College
Holly Lightbourne (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri) - Epsom Girls Grammar School
Raiha Jeory Reynolds (Ngāti Porou) - Takapuna Grammar School
Jessica Benge (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) - Mount Maunganui College
Kaitlyn Halliday         (Ngā Ruahine) - Northcote College
Jessica Smith (Ngā Puhi, Tainui) - Kaipara College
Anika Todd (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) - Mount Albert Grammar
Taylor Pewhairangi (Ngāti Porou) - Onslow College

Pasifika Schoolboys

Joshua McNaughton (Samoa) - Auckland Grammar

Oscar Holt (Tonga) - King’s College

Solomon Nash (Samoa) - St Paul’s College

Noah Mead (Samoa/Cook Islands) - Mount Albert Grammar

Nathan McNaughton (Samoa) - Auckland Grammar

Kaden Cossill (Niuean/Māori) - Auckland Grammar

Liam Denny (Cook Islands) - King’s College

Austin Sood (Tonga) - St Peter’s College

Atelea Baron Afeaki (Tonga) - St Paul’s College

Oscar Taylor (Cook Islands) - St Peter’s College

Will Meredith (Samoa) - St Peter’s College

Matangi Elikana (Cook Islands) - Southern Cross Campus

Andrew Samuels (Cook Islands) - Mount Albert Grammar

Enoka Sului (Samoa) - St Paul’s College

MJ Williams (Cook Islands) - Onehunga High School

Justus Telea (Samoa) - St Paul’s College

Aisea Makasini (Tonga) - St Paul’s College

Ronin Naidu (Fiji) - Orewa College

Luke Harrison (Tonga) - Westlake Boys HS

Pasifika Schoolgirls

Gisele Naidu (Fiji) - Orewa College

Sonnia Vaia (Cook Islands) - Howick College

Francesca-Eti Tonu'u (Samoa) - Mount Albert Grammar

Luella Bracey (Samoa) - One Tree Hill College

Jane Manase (Samoa) - Edgewater College

Lily Lamb (Cook Islands/Māori) - Mount Albert Grammar

Roma Bowers-Fleming (Cook Islands) - Rutherford College

Neena Woollaston (Fiji) - Howick College

Ocean Dawber (Tonga) - Onehunga College

Nora Jade Salima (Samoa) - Edgewater College

Tia Mapu (Samoa) - Waitakere College

Zamera Ikiua (Cook Islands/Maori/Niue) - Howick College

Sofia Samuels (Cook Islands) - Mount Albert Grammar

Esther Williams (Cook Islands) - Onehunga College

Angite Ravarua (Cook Islands) - Mangere College

Suapeli Fakatava (Samoa/Tonga) - Onehunga College

Heitonga Fakatava (Samoa/Tonga) - Onehunga College

RANGATAHI CRICKET FESTIVAL - DRAW:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31 - ROUND 1 (T20s):

• NZ Māori Schoolboys vs Pasifika Schoolboys – Cornwall Park #1, 10.30am
• NZ Māori Schoolgirls vs Pasifika Schoolgirls – Cornwall Park #1, 2.30pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 - ROUND 2 (T20s):

• NZ Māori Schoolboys vs Pasifika Schoolboys – Cornwall Park #1, 10.30am
• NZ Māori Schoolgirls vs Pasifika Schoolgirls – Cornwall Park #3,  10.30am

ROUND 3 (T20s):

• NZ Māori Schoolgirls vs Pasifika Schoolgirls – Cornwall Park #1, 2.30pm
• NZ Māori Schoolboys vs Pasifika Schoolboys – Cornwall Park #3, 2.30pm

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 - ROUND 4 (50 over):

• NZ Māori Schoolboys vs Governor Generals XI – Cornwall Park #1, 10.30am
• NZ Māori Schoolgirls vs Governor Generals XI – Cornwall Park #3, 10.30am