Future league stars on show

Thomas Witika, 11, performs the haka with Whangarei Primary School teammates ahead of their game at the Northland Rugby League leadership through league festival at Kamo High School on Tuesday.

A Whangarei festival of rugby league has benefited the young players taking part, and also the high school students, who acted as mentors and referees.

Northland Rugby League (NRL) held a leadership through league festival at Kamo High School on Tuesday involving 16 teams from local primary and intermediate schools.

Whangarei Primary's Tane Marsters, 11, goes into a tackle in the game against Kamo Primary at Kamo High School's league festival.

Darryl Davies, head of health and PE at Kamo High, said the festival provided an opportunity for the school's level two PE students to supervise, referee and mentor the young charges, with help from members of the Lowie Foundation from Kaikohe.

"It's a great initiative from Aaron Thomas at NRL and wonderful for our PE students too. Our students got a lot out of it too.

Taneisha Nepe, 11, from Tikipunga Primary School, runs with the ball during the team's game against Kamo Primary School.

"They really stepped up to the plate and helped deliver a wonderful festival."

Mr Davies said from what he saw, there were a few budding Kiwi players in the school teams if they stuck at it.

Hora Hora Primary School's Matariki Witana, 10, bursts through attempts to tackle him in the game against Whau Valley on Tuesday.

In the Years 7/8 final, Huanui College beat Manaia View School, while in the Years 5/6 final Whau Valley beat Manaia View.

-Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham went along to snap the future stars in action.

Totara Grove School players support their mates in the Tikipunga School team playing against Kamo Primary.