Mihiwai Henare certainly didn’t expect her netball season to end the way it did in 2025.

The 17-year-old was named in a 24-strong New Zealand Secondary Schools squad that contested a series of matches after standing out at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships in Porirua earlier in the year.

She was named as vice-captain of the New Zealand A side and they faced an Australian state side and her New Zealand teammates in a three-day tournament.

Henare said it was an exciting year on the court.

“This season was one of my best seasons with Trident. Even though our team did face some big lows, to bounce back like we did was special.”

She said not winning their local competition and the Tauranga competition added fuel to the fire.

“Losing to Whakatāne High School really motivated the girls to do better. Also losing to Rotorua Girls helped make us more motivated, but also a better team.

“Making the top four at nationals was a perfect way to end the season. It’s a pretty special way to go out with Trident.

“Beating Rotorua Girls’ at nationals was also special. It meant we finished as the top team from our region and to finish fourth overall was incredibly special.”

“Accomplishing our goal we had set for three years and making the top four was one of the best feelings ever; knowing you have worked so hard for something and finally accomplished it.

“All the late nights and early mornings paid off.

“Being able to accomplish this with my friends, coaches and our support team, being able to give this back to them was special. Finishing like that was amazing.”

“It was great being able to show other bigger schools we’re just as good as them.”

She said the camp was also great to be part of.

“It was exciting playing alongside some top netballers in New Zealand and seeing how they play. Also learning off some top coaches and how they go about things was cool.”

Henare said she already had some knowledge and the camp built on that.

“It was more about me expanding my netball knowledge. It was cool to know I am on the same page with some things and heading in the right direction.”

Henare is an accurate goal shoot and her ability to slot goals under pressure is what caught the eye of the secondary school scouts.

She’s joining the navy next year where she hopes to continue playing netball.

“I want to represent the navy with my netball. They go to some pretty cool tournaments so that would be cool to represent them. It’d be pretty cool to play with them and see what it’s like.”

Henare is grateful to have been part of netball at Trident netball and said she would miss her teammates and coaches.