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983 days ago

Young Manakau cricketer to join White Ferns for pro-training

Sapeer Mayron Reporter from Manukau Courier

Kia ora neighbours,

A 12-year-old Manakau local will be training alongside the White Ferns this year after being named one of ANZ Next XI.

The team is an exclusive pick of 11 young cricket players who will get to train alongside the White Ferns at a junior training academy and attend master classes in cricket.

Niamh Falanitule, a Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club player, said she couldn’t stop smiling when she got the news, and a brand new set of training uniform, bat, helmet and pads to play with.

Falanitule said while she is too young to play for her school’s hardball team, she looks up to the players on the team and can’t wait to join.

“I played against one of the girls and she was really good - so fast and tall. She’s another Pacific Islander (like me) - which isn’t common in cricket,” she said. More Pasifika girls should play cricket, Falanitule believes.

“Give it a go! There are so many different skills, you might not be the best bowler but you can bat or wicket keep or be a great fielder, with cricket, you get a lot of different skills to try. It’s all about sportsmanship, if you have a bad turn with the bat you know your teammates can pull through.”

ANZ New Zealand CEO Antonia Watson said she believes in providing role models for young women.

“We’re proud to be able to offer these passionate young sportswomen this opportunity to meet and train with their heroes. I’m a firm believer that if you can see it, you can be it.”

We’re proud to be putting our full support behind the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our athletes to the world and provide important opportunities to grow the next generation of cricketers.”

More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 84.4% Yes
    84.4% Complete
  • 14.1% No
    14.1% Complete
  • 1.5% Other - I'll share below
    1.5% Complete
1360 votes
1 day ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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16 hours ago

Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How can the number four be half of five?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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