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Howick College’s netball programme is in safe hands as former head coach of the premier-one team, Adelita Sotutu, steps back to focus on her expanded role as the school’s director of sport.
With increasing participation across all sports at the college, Sotutu’s shift allows her to oversee the continued growth and development of all codes, ensuring the success of Howick College’s broader sports programme.
Stepping up as the new director of netball is Tania Tuinukuafe, an experienced and highly respected coach within the programme.
Tuinukuafe has played a key role in Howick College’s recent netball successes, serving as head coach of the premier-two team, which won its competition last year, and as assistant coach of the premier-one team, which claimed the Auckland Secondary Schools Championship, Upper North Island Secondary Schools Championship, and New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship respectively in 2024.
With 27 years of coaching experience, including at Saint Kentigern College, and St Peter’s School at Cambridge, Tuinukuafe is well placed to uphold the strong legacy of Howick College netball.
Now in her fifth year of coaching at the school, she also oversees the Howick College Netball Academy, which launched in 2024 and has expanded this year into a year-long programme supporting Year 9 and 10 players.
“My greatest contribution has been the mana I uphold for myself and the nurturing, strengthening, and uplifting of the mana of those I work with – students, players, whānau, and colleagues alike,” she says.
Tuinukuafe is committed to ensuring that Howick College netball continues to thrive.
“I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and accept it with respect. I look forward to working alongside our players, their whānau, and the wider netball community to uphold and strengthen the programme for the future.”
Sotutu is confident the programme will continue to flourish under Tuinukuafe’s direction.
“Howick College netball has gone from strength to strength, and I have no doubt that under Tania’s leadership it will continue to thrive,” says Sotutu.
“Her experience, dedication, and passion for the game make her the perfect person to guide our programme forward, and I look forward to seeing our players continue to develop and succeed.”
With a strong leadership team in place, Howick College netball is well positioned for continued high-level achievements.
