Hillmorton duo make NZ Korfball team

Hillmorton's Lynnette Sakaria, left and Kate Rich have made the New Zealand under-19 korfball...
Hillmorton's Lynnette Sakaria, left and Kate Rich have made the New Zealand under-19 korfball team that will head to Europe in June next year. Photo: Gabby Thomas.
Two Hillmorton High School korfball players have been named in the New Zealand under-19 team for a tournament in the Netherlands in June.

Lynnette Sakaria and Kate Rich will be part of the squad that will compete at the International Korfball Federation (IKF) open European under-19 tournament.

The duo are considered two of the top sport success stories at the school and with both just being in Year 11, they have a chance to build on the success.

Chair of Korfball New Zealand Rob Smith said both had a bright future.

"They both have a good work ethic and good basic ball skills from involvement in other sports," he said.

"Hillmorton High School has been really supportive of Korfball Canterbury’s schools and youth development programme, which I am sure has helped to set the two of them on course with korfball."

Smith admitted the team would compete as underdogs at the event but it was a tag they enjoyed having.

"We have sent teams to this tournament before. It serves the purpose of introducing our young players to korfball at a significantly higher level than they experience at home." Smith said.

"We are starting to create some interest around international korfball.

"We received the International Korfball Federation’s World Korfball Award for best elite development in August, so there is an expectation that we are progressing."

He said the squad would attend regular training camps on weekends in the lead-up to the event with many also taking part in weekly club competitions.