The Northern Stars netball franchise is excited to announce Oceane Maihi and Nanise Waiquira as 2020 Northern Stars pre-season training partners.
Oceane was a key contributor to the Northern Comets 2019 campaign, closely linked to the Stars throughout the pre- season and was continually striving to improve her match play capability.
Oceane will be joined by Nanise Waiquira who played for the Northern Marvels in 2019, has enjoyed court time for the Northern Mystics, so knows what it takes to compete at the elite level of the game. Both are up and coming defenders from the Northern Comets catchment area and could form a formidable combination in the Comets defensive circle for the 2020 season.
Nadia Loveday was also initially signed as a training partner but has withdrawn due to work commitments. She will remain in contact with both the Comets Core and Stars squad.
Northern Stars Coach Kiri Wills and Northern Comets coach Temepara Bailey are also excited to announce a Comets Core group who have been invited to be part of a training programme alongside the Stars until the Comets trials are held at the end of January.
The Northern Comets Core group is:
Vika Koloto
Leehava Saverio
Tori Kolose (injured)
Teulia Sotutu
Chonaire Huriwai
Lisa Putt
Ivana Rowland
Nanise Waiquira (TP)
Oceane Maihi (TP)
Northern Comets Head Coach, Temepara Bailey’s first task will be to contact players outside of the core group, invite them to trial and give them the support and direction they need to compete for a spot. "We are committed to looking after the athletes in our area and we will be making contact with players who have been involved in the programme recently while also looking wider to see if there are athletes who may have been unavailable or not selected in the past.”
“Players will need to demonstrate they are where they need to be in order to be successful at the National Netball League level, with having ample time to be in top shape prior to trials. It is a great opportunity to look at the Northern Comets team with fresh eyes and with the Comets Core not guaranteed a spot, everyone will have to do the work to make the grade, Bailey added.
Athletes who wish to be considered for the team are required to complete an expression of interest form by 30 October 2019. To complete an expression of interest form click here
To ensure eligibility for the Northern Comets team, a selection process guide can be found here
Please note appendix A, which defines the Comets catchment area. Anyone outside of this area in the Northern Zone will need to apply to the Northern Zone.
