Team
Jess Cowie (Columba), Madison Williams (Columba), Jaide Dixon* (St Hildas), Olivia Fowler (Columba), Beryn Abbott (Ex Hildas), Savannah Cleland (St Hildas), Olivia George (Ex Hildas), Liv Preston (Columba), Talei Pelasio (Otago Girls), Annie Timu* (St Hildas), Meg Sycamore* (Columba), Maia Joseph* (Columba), Millie Robert (Waitaki), Tia Valli (South Otago), Brylee More* (Columba), Amelia Scully (St Hildas), Dayna Turnbull* (Coach), Kaye Sycamore (Manager)
2018 South Island Champions
* New Zealand Reps

Draw Summary
2018 Unbeaten Under 18 Girls National Champions. Coach, manager, four players return in 2019.
Must finish Top Two in pool to qualify for Top 4 in NZ.
Friday 9.40am vs Te Tai Tokerau
Friday 1.40pm vs Auckland
Saturday 11.40am vs Counties Manukau
Saturday 1.40pm vs Kapiti-Horowhenua
Sunday 8.45am Semi Final
Sunday 3pm Final

Tournament Preview (courtesy of team management)
Otago Under 18 Girls National Campaign will be one full of excitement - ranking at #1 and seemingly drawing the more difficult pool is an interesting way to kick start our Tournament.  Nevertheless, to be the best, you need to beat the rest.

Our first goal is to make top two in our pool and qualify for the semi-finals. As a team we will aim to follow the rule “head in the fridge, body on fire”. In other words - we will remain cool, calm and collected mentally to execute with precision whilst we play hard, run fast, and up the tempo.
Touch is a simple game about possession, territory and basics. The team that completes their sets, gets the best field position and nails the one percenters is usually always above on the scoreboard. We aim to get Otago’s first ever back-to-back gold medal, but are taking it game-by-game, possession-by-possession and whistle-by-whistle, one step at a time.
I couldn’t be more proud of this group of superstars and no matter where we go, we are always proud of where we come from, we absolutely love repping our Otago Touch Family!! #bleedblue&gold

Talent is given. Every single one of these girls is here because they deserve to be, they are all unique and skilled within their own right.
But they also know that greatness has to be earned - through the countless hours of training and effort, the desire to constantly improve and grow as a player right down to the willingness to take advice and learn new things.
We talk about our ‘WHY’ and never forgetting about those who have helped get you to this point - your family, friends, teammates, and management for all their support. Remember ‘WHY’ you play the sport we all love, show appreciation and don’t take anything for granted because you never know when it could be your last game.
Attitude is everything!! Both on and off the field, you never know who is watching and who you might be inspiring.

“Your performance is measured by the impact you have on others, not by the amount of points you put on the board!” Meaning: if you as a team can create a culture where all 16 players form a sisterhood, you will do whatever it takes to put the team first and have each other’s backs, then regardless of the results you’ll walk away as champions.
 

Article added: Friday 01 February 2019