That was the reaction from Cromwell College touch rugby player Lily Johnson (13) when she found out the school’s touch team had made the New Zealand Secondary Schools Touch Tournament.
It is the first time a team from Cromwell College has made it to the national competition, which is being held in Rotorua in December.
"We’d talked about it but I didn’t actually think this team would make it," Lily said.
Player Milasa Finau (16) said the Cromwell College team was younger than most teams.
Normally the competition was for seniors, she said.
"We’re a young team and we’ll be tested out there."
Despite this, she was looking forward to it.
"It’ll be exciting and a new experience for us, since we’re from Cromwell.
"We’re a small town ... we’ll be getting put against the big cities.’
Player Baxter Dimond (15) hoped the team would inspire some younger players.
"It’s not the most known sport around, but we’ve played it a lot and we should be good enough to compete up there," he said.
"Hopefully, we can show some young kids they can do it as well," Baxter said.
Team manager Karen Gallagher said the school had had strong teams in previous years.
"We’ve had some pretty strong touch teams in the past.
"It’s always been a goal, so the fact we’re going is massive."
Former Cromwell College touch players had been contact, saying how pleased they were the team had made the nationals, she said.
The team found out it would be heading to the nationals a month ago and fundraising efforts were already under way.
By Ruby Shaw
