Three Eastern Bay touch players will hopefully soon be wearing the black outfit of New Zealand.

Arliyah Matchitt, Lysahn Collier and Jordyn Shadrock Wharewera have been named in various New Zealand touch squads for the start of 2025.

Shadrock Wharewera has been named in the New Zealand under-20 women’s squad, while Matchitt was named in the New Zealand under-18 girls and Collier in the New Zealand Touch Blacks and under-18s.

“I am looking forward to it,” Arliyah said. “I am not sure what to expect, but Lysahn has returned home from the New Zealand Women’s Touch Blacks trial, so she has given me a bit of an idea what it might be like. I am just looking forward to the experience.”

Lysahn is going into the under-18 trial with more experience than the other two.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Lysahn said. “I have just returned from the women’s Touch Blacks trial, which was an awesome experience. Trialling against some of the best women players in the country was an overwhelming experience but I did it. This trial will be with my own age and a bit different, I think. I feel like I’ve got a better idea of what to expect after going through the women’s trial camp. I am excited for what’s to come.”

Wharewera Shadrock is the most nervous of the three heading away to a camp.

“I don’t feel like I am fit enough, and I am nervous,” Wharewera Shadrock said.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to have been selected and I didn’t expect to be as I didn’t feel I had trialled well enough. I will be doing more training at home to be ready.”

Wharewera Shadrock, 19, expects plenty of high-performance skills training when the under-20s assemble in Auckland.

“I am excited to meet new like-minded people. I just want to do my best.”

Lysahn and Arliyah are part of the Trident High School senior girls’ touch team and all three have represented the Bay of Plenty.

Wharewera Shadrock made a New Zealand Talent Identification squad back when she was in the under-16s, but Covid 19 ruined that.

Lysahn and Arliyah said their goals for the camp were to push themselves, give it their best, show off their skills, and make the most of the opportunities presented to them.

“It’s great being part of a team and having fun with friends and pushing each other to be better,” Lysahn, 16, said.

Arliyah, who recently turned 16, hopes it’s an opportunity she can make the most of.

“It will be tough. But it is an opportunity to see how well we match up against other players our age, most of them we already know.”

The camps are taking place this month.