BACKThe New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Nationals 2025 once again showcased the exceptional talent, resilience, and teamwork of our top school teams. Both our premier boys’ and girls’ teams delivered outstanding performances, making it all the way to their respective finals and finishing as the second-best teams in the country. This remarkable achievement also secured their position as the highest-placed teams from the North Harbour and Auckland regions, cementing their reputation as dominant forces in secondary school volleyball.
For the boys’ team, this marks their fourth consecutive appearance in the national final, a testament to their consistency, skill, and ability to thrive under pressure. The girls’ team, too, demonstrated their championship pedigree, reaching their third straight final. Such continued success highlights not only the technical ability and volleyball IQ of these squads but also their unwavering commitment to excellence.
A significant part of this success is owed to the dedicated coaching staff who guided these athletes to the top. The premier girls’ team benefited from the expertise of head coach Adam Watson and assistant coach Hannah Davenhill, whose strategic insight and leadership played a crucial role in their team’s deep tournament run. On the boys’ side, the dynamic coaching duo of Johann Timmer and Sam Bell once again proved instrumental in sustaining the team’s legacy of success.
The work behind the scenes was just as vital in ensuring smooth preparation and execution throughout the tournament. Managers Jamie Sowter and Josh Bullen were relentless in their efforts, handling logistics and providing crucial support to both teams. The steady and experienced leadership of Alan Kerr also played a key role in keeping everything running seamlessly, reinforcing the programme’s strong foundation.
Individually, several players stood out and were rightfully recognised for their performances. A huge congratulations to Devon Goloboski and Alice Bell from the girls’ team, as well as Kyson Norton, Kenai Stevenson, and Joschua Schaller from the boys’ team, who were all selected for the prestigious tournament team. Their exceptional play, leadership, and contributions were integral to their teams’ success.
Congratulations to all involved—players, coaches, and support staff—on an unforgettable tournament!
