From Fiji to New Zealand, a Howick College Year 13’s netball journey has gone from strength to strength as she is set to become a regular face in the ANZ Premiership.
Originally from Fiji, Lili Tokaduadua was offered a netball scholarship with Howick College in year nine, prompting her to make the move to New Zealand at the age of 15.
The move has more than paid off for the now year 13, becoming one of the most dominant and renowned players in Howick College netball.
After successful seasons with the east Auckland college, Tokaduadua was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) in 2022 and 2023.
On the back of this, she competed in the National Netball League (NNL) for the Northern Comets. The NNL, formerly known as the BEKO Netball League, serves as a second-level league below the ANZ Premiership.
She joined former Howick College students Brooklyn Murray (2022), Jaelin Tulikaki (2021) and Teuila Sotutu (2018) for the Comets who made the grand-final, losing a tight game to Central Manawa.
During the season which started in March and finished in May, Tokaduadua trained with and had court time with the ANZ Premiership side, the Northern Stars.
Tokaduadua impressed and as a result has been rewarded with a full ANZ netball contract for 2024 with the Robinhood Northern Stars.
It’s fair to say sport is primary to Tokaduadua, whose talents are not limited to netball. The impressive all-rounder also represents Howick College in volleyball, rugby 7s and rugby 10s.
Howick College director of sport Adelita Sotutu says netball at the college continues to punch above its weight, producing representative players for Papakura Netball Centre, Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, Waitakere Netball Centre and Auckland Netball Centre.
“Notably, Faith Taihia has made both the NZ Aotearoa team and the North Island U16 tournament team alongside fellow year 11 students, Avah Sila and Zermahnia Manu,” Sotutu says.
The college currently has 18 teams playing in the Auckland Netball competition and their premier 1 and 2 teams are shaping up well for the competition’s semifinals.
