King’s High School year 13 pupil Vincent Laban came to Dunedin four years ago after moving with his family from Samoa.
Since then, he has rocketed up the playing ranks — named co-captain of the New Zealand under-20 netball team, being asked to join the under-23 team, as well as being a triallist for the senior Net Blacks team.
Vincent, the middle child, grew up playing netball with his seven siblings in Samoa.
‘‘We all play netball together now as well — I’ve played for 12 years now, starting in Samoa.
‘‘My whole family says they are very proud of me.’’
When he moved to Dunedin, he continued to play netball, quickly moving through the ranks.
Vincent will lead his team at the Transtasman Cup in Te Awamutu next month.
He said being named co-captain while still at school was ‘‘quite the achievement’’.
Vincent, who plays goal attack, is in the under-20 team by choice, having declined an invitation to join the under-23s.
‘‘I said no, I want to stay in my age group ... it’s always good to play with people with similar experiences to you; they are the people I can move up with.’’
He was also asked to trial for the Net Blacks — the senior men’s team — but could not due to funding.
There is one other team member who studies at the University of Otago; however, Vincent is the only Otago-based secondary student on the squad.
He said men’s netball was getting bigger and he hoped World Netball would be successful in its bid to get the sport included in the 2032 Olympics.
‘‘In order for it to enter in the Olympic Games, it needs to be both male and female — so the goal is to stay healthy so I can play at the Olympics.
‘‘It’s a massive goal of mine.’’
