Trident High School girls’ touch team is hoping to cause a few surprises at this weekend’s National Secondary School Touch Championships in Rotorua.

With two New Zealand touch squad members in the side, Lysahn Collier and Arliyah Matchitt, the girls have the top eight in their sights.

The team, again coached by Rahera Rauwhero-Stainton and her partner, Campbell Maunsell, will line up alongside 27 other girls’ teams at the competition. In pool play, they face Hamilton Girls’ High School, Rotorua Girls’ High School and Epsom Girls’ Grammar.

Rauwhero-Stainton said they had been training well in preparation for nationals.

“The girls have been working hard for the past three months to get as prepared as they can. We’re just excited to finally get into the back end of the campaign and put all their mahi into action.”

Winning would be nice, but Rauwhero-Stainton said it was not their major goal.

“Firstly, we want to improve their touch skills but also to be better people. If we win, that is a bonus.”

Last year, Trident made the top eight and they hope to achieve something similar this year.

“We worked hard for seventh last year. Adding another year means our girls are a year older and more experienced. We’re also fortunate to add lots of youth with a strong cohort of year nines making their way through the touch scene.

“The plan is to go better than seventh, but we need to get our processes right to end up in the right place.”

Their middle three of Arliyah, Lysahn and Llakiesha Te Riini shape as key figures, while wing Syniva Bryce is another important player; they were all part of the Mataatua women’s team that finished second at the Māori nationals.

Rauwhero-Stainton is happy with their draw.

“Rotorua Girls’ are in the same pool as us. We’re familiar with a lot of their players and it’s nice to have that Waiariki rivalry. Epsom, we have never met before, so they’re someone we’ll be interested in, and who doesn’t want to go up against Hamilton Girls’ High. That’s a challenge we’re excited for.”

Joining them at nationals are Te Kura Mana Māori o Whangaparaoa, Te Kura o Te Whānau ā Apanui and Whakatāne High School. They are all in the mixed grade that features 43 different teams.

Te Kura o Te Whānau ā Apanui manager Nikita Tahere said it was an exciting time for the two Coast schools.

“This is the school’s first year joining and making a touch team, so it’s all new to us.”

She said the team, comprising children from various year levels, had been counting down the days.

“They’re so excited. They cannot wait to get down there and play some touch.”

Action starts today and continues tomorrow.