For the second year running Cromwell College’s (CC) Grace Tiko has been identified as an emerging netball talent. 

The Year 12 CC student was recently named in the 2024 New Zealand Secondary Schools Squad (NZSS) by Netball New Zealand.

Principal Mason Stretch said her selection is well deserved and a testament to both her talents and also her commitment and tenacity recovering strongly from injury last year.

“Grace not only brings her skills to the court but also a wonderful strength of character to a team.” 

There are four players from the southern region selected in the squad.

The others attend Columba College and St Hilda’s Collegiate School. 

Grace will join 23 other selected players, for a four-day camp from October 25-28. 

The camp will serve as both a development opportunity and a final trial, where the NZSS Team and NZSS A Team will be named. 

NZSS coach Pelesa Semu said the camp was all about creating a space where the athletes could push their limits while learning to work as a cohesive unit.

“It’s a critical step in their development, both as players and as future representatives of New Zealand netball."

Former Silver Fern captain Belinda Colling, who had 92 test caps, also attended Cromwell College before rising up the ranks of New Zealand netball. 

In April 2023 Grace was named in the NZSS team when she was in Year 11 and her school marked her achievement with a special assembly. 

Read more: Cromwell College honours three exceptional athletes