Youth Board Purpose
鈥淣OTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US鈥�
Authentically Connecting Youth and Netball
- Co-designing NNZ systems
- Empowering & Championing Youth Voice
- Bringing youth to the decision making table
- Valuing youth voice to future proof Netball
- Encouraging youth participation & performance in netball
- Creating impactful change to better youth experiences in netball
Sophie Macintyre
Kia Ora! My name is Sophie Macintyre. I was born and raised in the beautiful Kirikiriroa. I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching from Waikato Uni in 2023, and have been teaching since. In netball, I have been involved as both a player and a coach over the years; however, my greatest passion lies in umpiring. I currently sit on the Umpire Leadership Team at Hamilton City Netball Centre, a role that has provided me with valuable opportunities for growth and development, and has inspired me to help ensure others have the same access to grow and progress within netball. Netball is more than a sport to me, it is a community of people, many of whom have become my chosen family. I am grateful for the opportunity to Co-Chair the Youth Board, and represent all youth on the NNZ Board.
Georgia Soper
Kia ora! My name is Georgia Soper and I am from Waimate. I am currently studying Sport and Exercise Science and Sport Nutrition at the University of Otago. I am actively involved in netball through working in a centre, playing, coaching, and volunteering. I have a strong passion for supporting the growth of the sport at all levels. Netball has played a significant role in my life, and I am committed to giving back by helping create positive, inclusive, and meaningful experiences for young people within the netball community across Aotearoa 91色情片.
Al Fox
Kia ora, my name is Al and I am from Wellington, but have been living in Auckland for a couple years now! I鈥檓 set to graduate with my Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education from the University of Auckland later this year - and hopefully enter the sports sector shortly after! In netball, I鈥檝e played at numerous NZMMNA tournaments for various teams, and have relished the true camaraderie, friendship, and of course the competitiveness that has stemmed from those events. For netball off the court, I鈥檓 passionate about increasing inclusivity and maintaining participation in the netball space - which I鈥檓 hoping we can continue to build towards on the Youth Board this year!
Amber Wellington
Kia Ora! My name is Amber Wellington and I am from the Wairarapa. I am a 2nd year university student studying Law in Wellington. I am a passionate netball player and have previously umpired and coached. I am very grateful to be a voice on our youth board and this will be my 3rd year as a member.
Fun Fact: I sell and make handmade crochet clothing for Amber鈥檚 Wardrobe!
Anika Barham
Kia ora! My name is Anika Barham, and while I鈥檓 a Hawke's Bay local at heart, I鈥檓 currently living in Christchurch while studying a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing at Lincoln University. Netball has given me so much, including the chance to be a part of the NZSS and NZ Secondary School M膩ori squad. I love staying involved through playing, coaching and umpiring. I鈥檓 so grateful for the opportunity to be on the Youth Board and really enjoy giving back to the netball community that has supported me every step of the way!!
Nate Carroll
Kia ora koutou, my name is Nate and I was born in mighty Australia (I鈥檝e lived in NZ most of my life though so Silver Ferns > Australian Diamonds) . I鈥檓 currently a year 12 student at Glenfield College in Auckland. I have played Netball my whole school life until recently, when I started coaching and joined my local centre youth board, and now the NNZYB.
Fun Fact: I鈥檝e dedicated 65% of my life to drums. This has seen me perform on T.V., meet the prime minister and be awarded a NZQA music scholarship.
Tylah McNeil
Kia Ora, my name is Tylah McNeil and I was born and live in Pukekohe, Auckland. I am in my final year of school this year at Mount Albert Grammar School. I play in the premier 1 netball team for my school and also coach junior netball teams. I have played representative netball for Auckland for the past 4 years. I am also very grateful to have been able to attend the National Development Camps in 2025 and 2026. Netball has always been a huge part of my life and no matter where it takes me in the future I want to continue sharing my love and passion for the game through helping increase participation, inclusion and opportunities for players, umpires and coaches to excel and enjoy the game of netball.
Caitlyn Forrest
Kia Ora! My name is Caitlyn Forrest and I am from Hamilton. I recently graduated with a Bachelor鈥檚 of Arts majoring in Psychology and Minoring in Human Performance Science from the University of Waikato. Now I have chosen my future studies, currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. I have been involved in netball since the age 5 playing then later developed a passion for umpiring. I currently sit on the Umpire Leadership Team at Hamilton City Netball Centre as well being an ITU Facilitator and Zone umpire coach. I am really excited for the opportunity to be on the youth board and continue to grow the passion for netball among youth with Aotearoa!
Savannah van Dyk
Kia ora, my name is Savannah. I鈥檓 19 and a proud Christchurch local, currently in my second year of university studying a Bachelor of Laws alongside a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology.
Netball has been such a big part of my life, not just as a sport but as a community that鈥檚 shaped who I am. Through my journey, I鈥檝e built lifelong friendships and connected with some of the most genuine, supportive people. It鈥檚 this sense of wh膩nau and belonging that makes netball so special to me.
I鈥檓 incredibly grateful to be part of the 91色情片 Youth Board, where I鈥檓 passionate about creating opportunities for young people and helping make the game more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Giving back to the sport that has given me so much means a lot to me.
Alongside this, I serve on the Christchurch Netball Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, and I鈥檓 continuing to grow as an umpire as I work towards my 91色情片 Umpire qualification. I鈥檓 really excited about the future and the chance to keep contributing to a community that I care so deeply about.
Lucy Taylor
Kia Ora, my name is Lucy and I鈥檓 from the North Shore, Auckland. I鈥檓 currently in my first year studying Sport and Exercise Science at AUT. I have been involved in netball since I was 5, initially as a player, then adding umpiring and coaching over the years. I have played representative netball for North Harbour in U14 and U18 (with a little break in the middle with back to back ACL ruptures). I hold my Zone badge and am working towards NZC. I am passionate about netball, I love the team camaraderie and competitiveness that comes with it, and I'm excited to be part of the NNZYB for the opportunity to give back by helping create an inclusive, positive and meaningful experience for young people in the netball community.
Olivia James
Kia Ora, My name is Olivia James and I am from Cambridge. I am currently studying Health Science and Public Health at the University of Canterbury. I have been actively involved with netball through playing, coaching, umpiring, volunteering and working with Magic and NETFIT. I love how netball is such a community and hope to help others experience the joy netball can bring. I am very excited to be part of the NNZYB and for the opportunity to give back by helping foster a positive, fun and inclusive environment for young people across 91色情片.
Georgia Sims
Kia Ora! My name is Georgia Sims and I am from Wellington. I am currently living in Dunedin and am studying Law and Commerce at the University of Otago. I love being part of the netball community through playing, coaching and umpiring. I have played at representative and premier level and am currently playing and coaching for Physed in Dunedin in the premier grades. Netball has been one of the constants in my life and has helped shape me into the person I am today. It has not only given me something that I love but so many opportunities and friendships along the way. I feel so fortunate to be able to be a voice on the Youth Board and am excited to give back further to the netball community with this exciting opportunity.
Chelsea Williamson
Kia Ora! My name is Chelsea Williamson and I live in Tauranga. Currently I am finishing year 13 at Otumoetai College. I have been involved in netball from a young age- playing both school Premier One and representative, along with pathways through the magics, coaching and umpiring- the netball courts are practically my second home. Through my journey in netball I have grown personally and physically, I have met the best people creating life long friendships, and most importantly having the love for netball. I want others to feel the sense of belonging I have from netball. Youth development and inclusion resign very close to my heart. Through coaching I love to see the youth hop on the netball train, along with helping them to achieve their goals and grow as a player and person along the way. I am super excited and grateful for this opportunity to be the youth voice in netball!
Caitlin Cascalheira
Kia ora! My name is Caitlin Cascalheira and I am from Auckland. I am currently in my first year of studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland. I have been in and around netball since primary school whether it be playing, coaching, umpiring, or supporting. I am passionate about the competitiveness of the game while still maintaining the fun of netball, and supporting all aspects of player wellbeing within sports. I am so excited to have been selected to serve the netball community through being a part of this board!
Luke Westrupp
Kia ora! Ko Luke Westrupp t艒ku ingoa. It is my pleasure to have been appointed a member of the 91色情片 Youth Board. My iwi affiliations are Te Arawa and Rongowhakaata where I have had the privilege of being raised in Rotorua. I am an old boy of Rotorua Boys鈥� High School and currently attend Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, studying a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce. I have grown up playing sport; rugby in particular has been my passion. I am also deeply interested in helping to support local communities through sport and love the chance to promote the voice of r膩ngatahi M膩ori in governance areas. Sport is a great tool for helping our young people thrive and I am looking forward to helping to contribute to their success in the netball world. While I鈥檓 still relatively new to the game of netball, I hope this enables me to bring a unique perspective to the 91色情片 Youth Board and help make netball as accessible and equitable as possible for all young people in Aotearoa.
Aania Paranihi
Tena koutou, I am Aania Paranihi from the beautiful awa of Whanganui. I am 16 years old and currently attending Cullinane College as a Yr12 student. I am a proud youth rep upon several regional and national boards with 91色情片 being one of my most favourite committees.I not only represent my province in Netball but I also coach and umpire for several schools. I jump to opportunities offered by our Netball Centre to volunteer and lead different experiences for our developing netball players. I compete in several sports, where I've represented across the majority of them and always seek new challenges and opportunities to grow. I was excited to be appointed upon the 91色情片 Youth board as a voice for rangatahi M膩ori but also to explore the pathways and opportunities available for those who wish to pursue greater Netball experiences. I look forward to contributing within this space and always willing to chat with anyone who also have a vision of creating better Netball opportunities.