AMP Aotearoa Māori Poirewa have brought home a third and fourth placing from the Matariki Cup, held in Tahiti recently.

Player Talei Bryant said the Matariki Cup was a volleyball tournament hosted by a different island each year, and the teams were up against women’s teams from Tahiti and Rarotonga, as well as from New Zealand.

Whakatāne sent over a men’s and a women’s team, and both achieved placings.

The women’s team lost only one out of their five games, placing third overall, while the men’s team played well against steep competition, placing fourth overall.

“We were all nervous but super-excited to have the opportunity to go,” she said.

“The competition was hard; they were all really strong players and have a different way of playing to us – but we hustled really well,” she said.  

Bryant, team leader Hinemataroa Maui and Taylor Simpson started playing volleyball while students at Whakatāne High School, where Sophie Growden is a current student.

“The living conditions were tough, but we had an awesome roopu that made it super fun,” Bryant said of Tahiti.

“We’re hoping to play in the Matariki cup again; we’re not sure where this is being held yet.”

This year, Bryant and Maui are coaching teams who will be competing in Canada and Thailand.