Silver Medals and Standout Moments for BOP’s Senior IPC Teams
Over King’s Birthday Weekend, Volleyball Bay of Plenty proudly sent 10 representative teams to Wellington to compete at the 2024 Inter-Provincial Championships (IPC)—one of New Zealand’s premier youth volleyball events. With teams entered across U17, U19, and Open age groups, and across both men’s and women’s divisions, Bay of Plenty was one of the best-represented regions at the tournament.
This year’s IPC featured fierce competition from across Aotearoa, but Bay of Plenty athletes showed they were more than up for the challenge. Over three intense days of volleyball, our players competed with passion, resilience, and heart—taking on the best from every region and showing what BOP volleyball is all about.
We are proud to celebrate two of our teams earning silver medals:
U19 Women’s A Team – Silver Medalists
U17 Boys A Team – Silver Medalists
Special congratulations to our tournament team members who were recognised for their outstanding performances and consistent impact across the event.
Sophie Growden - U19 Girls A
Naera Wirihana - U19 Girls A
William Takai - U17 Boys A
Iosua Te Whetu-Lomi - U17 Boys A
Across all 10 teams, there were standout performances, breakout athletes, and incredible growth. From first-time IPC players to experienced senior leaders, Bay of Plenty was well-represented on every court. Whether it was in tight five-set thrillers or commanding wins, our teams showed pride in the jersey and left everything on the floor.
Beyond the results, IPC 2024 was a showcase of the depth of talent, culture, and potential in our region. The bonds built among teammates, the leadership shown by senior players, and the learning opportunities gained through high-level competition will have a lasting impact as we look ahead to the rest of the volleyball season.
We would like to extend a massive thank you to the incredible coaches and managers who dedicated countless hours to preparing their teams, as well as the whānau and supporters who brought the energy and encouragement from the sidelines. Your support helped shape a positive and competitive environment for our athletes to thrive.
Bay of Plenty volleyball is on the rise, and the success of this IPC campaign is a reflection of the hard work happening across our clubs, schools, and communities. We’re excited to see how these players continue to grow—and we’re already looking forward to what’s next.
U19 Girls A Team Claim Silver After Strong Campaign
The Under 19 Girls A Team delivered an outstanding run, demonstrating their talent, teamwork, and resilience as they progressed through a series of competitive matchups to earn a well-deserved silver medal.
The campaign began with a confident straight-sets win, setting the tone for a composed and connected team performance. A solid 3-1 victory against the BOP B Team followed, highlighting the group’s depth and ability to execute under pressure.
Momentum continued to build with a dominant quarterfinal performance, where the team showed control and consistency to move past Hawke’s Bay in straight sets. That confidence carried into a high-energy semifinal against North Harbour, where the girls held their nerve to take the win in four sets and book their place in the final.
The final was a true showcase of high-level volleyball. In a thrilling five-set battle, the team went point-for-point against a tough Canterbury side. Despite a narrow loss, the match was a reflection of the grit, unity, and fight that defined the team’s entire campaign.
Special mention goes to Sophie Growden and Naera Wirihana, whose standout play throughout earned them selections to the Tournament Team. Their leadership and consistent execution were key factors in the team’s success.
The silver medal is a testament to the team’s preparation, character, and trust in one another. Each player contributed to a performance that reflects the strength of Bay of Plenty volleyball and the exciting potential ahead for this talented group.
Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and support team for a campaign to be proud of!
U19 Women’s A
Sofia Bostock (Otumoetai College), Sophie Growden (Whakatane High School), Piki Hemi (Trident), Jayd Hunia (Trident), Darah Miller (Bethlehem College), Nevada Morunga (Tauranga Girls College), Monique Prasad (Whakatane High School), Eden Tapsell (Tauranga Girls College), Nataley Vaipo (Western Heights High School), and Naera Wirihana (Tauranga Girls College)
Coach: Helen McKane
Assistant Coach: Shannel Vaipo
U17 Boys A Team Claim Silver After Gritty, Character-Filled Campaign
The U17 Boys A Team delivered a gutsy and inspiring performance at the 2024 Inter-Provincial Championships, earning a well-deserved silver medal after navigating one of the toughest roads to the finals.
Facing a challenging pool early in the tournament, the boys had to battle through adversity—including illness, injuries, and an early loss—to keep their campaign alive. But the team showed incredible resilience, digging deep and stepping up when it mattered most.
A defining moment came in pool play when the boys took down North Harbour, the eventual tournament champions, in a thrilling match to earn their spot in the playoffs. The win was a huge statement of character, showing this team had the composure and belief to rise to any challenge.
In the quarterfinal, Bay of Plenty went toe-to-toe with Waikato, falling behind 2–1 before mounting a brilliant comeback to take the match in five sets. It was a showcase of heart, discipline, and sheer willpower. The team carried that momentum into a high-energy semifinal to book their place in the championship match.
While they fell short in the final, the boys left everything on the court, proving themselves as one of the top teams in the country. Their silver medal is not just a result of talent, but of the grit, teamwork, and determination they displayed throughout the tournament.
Special congratulations to Iosua Te Whetu-Lomi and William Takai for their selection to the Tournament Team, a reflection of their outstanding performances and impact across the competition.
U17 Boys A 2025
Jonty Smith (Otumoetai College), Tyler Scrivin (Papamoa College), Willie Rossouw (Otumoetai College), Boston Sherris (Mount Maunganui College), Trent Kleine (Western Heights High School), Kennel Tavalu (Tauranga Boys), Joel Troughton (ACG Tauranga), Flynn Porteners (Tauranga Boys) William Takai (Tauranga Boys College), Iosua Te whetu-Lomi (Trident)
Coach: Brad Takai
U17 Boys Development Team Shows Heart and Promise at IPC
The U17 Boys Development Team wrapped up an impressive showing at the Inter-Provincial Championships, finishing in 11th place overall after a weekend of exciting, hard-fought volleyball.
The tournament began with a challenging 3–0 loss to Waikato, but the team quickly regrouped and responded with a thrilling five-set battle against Canterbury. Despite narrowly losing the match, the boys delivered a high-quality performance and set the tone for the rest of the competition. They capped off Day One with a commanding 3–0 win over Volley South, showing resilience and rapid growth.
Day Two opened with a solid 3–0 victory against Aoraki. The momentum continued into one of the tournament’s most exciting matches—a gripping five-set showdown against Hawke’s Bay. Though the boys fell just short, they left everything on the court in a performance full of determination and heart.
The team finished strong on the final day with a confident 3–0 win over MAVA, securing 11th place overall in a highly competitive field.
Throughout the tournament, the squad demonstrated outstanding fight, teamwork, and emerging talent. With several players stepping into new roles and showing leadership beyond their years, the future of volleyball in the Bay of Plenty looks very bright.
U17 Boys Development Team 2025
Michael Magee (Te Puke High), Archer Takao (Tauranga Boys), Max Balmer (Bethlehem College), Alex Perring (Tauranga Boys), Ashton Jarrett (Otumoetai College), Te Awa Korohina Maude (Otumoetai College), Cameron Reinsfield (Otumoetai College), Rihari Stone hart (Rotorua Boys), Finley Griffin (Papamoa College)
Coach: Stacy Percy