More Top Stories

Letters to the Editor
Local

Top cop position advertised

7 December 2024

Culture
Church Talk
Court
Economy
Economy
Economy
Education

Perseverance pays off for AKTT

Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Other Sports, Sports

Share

Perseverance pays off for AKTT
Te 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango (AKTT) Grey women’s team won the women’s beach volleyball competition. The team is pictured with the Vodafone sponsor representative. MELINA ETCHES/25011815

The finals of the women’s beach volleyball competition – the final event at the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games – were held under scorching conditions, with the women persevering despite the staggering 28°C temperatures.

Beach football, netball, volleyball, basketball and touch rugby featured in the 2025 Cook Islands Beach Games that ran from January 4 to January 18, at the National Beach Courts in Nikao.

Beach volleyball was the final event held from Thursday to Saturday last week.

Te 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango (AKTT) Grey women’s team took out the top placing with The Brew placing second, The Side Out ladies third, and Project Five finishing fourth.

Nicolea Mateariki, captain of the awesome AKKT team, said her team was “excited” to participate in the competition.

“I think just giving the younger ones the opportunity as well to play beach volleyball was great. AKKT usually trains for indoor volleyball, so coming to play in the sand gives us another experience to play the sport. We really had fun and enjoyed it,” Mateariki said.

Te 'Ātui'anga Ki Te Tango celebrated this achievement, recognising that the fruits of four years of labour have come to fruition, showcasing the potential of these young women.

AKTT volleyball head coach Jackie Rongo said: “I’m so proud of these young ladies and grateful to everyone who has contributed to their upskilling over time.”

Over the past four years, AKTT have been dedicated to nurturing, investing, training and developing the talent of these women in the sport.

The AKTT Grey team comprised Nicolea Mateariki (captain), Tuaana Mitchell, Twina Tangirere, Alanna Smith, Elizabeth Akaruru and Tekura Tamangaro.

Tangirere also received the Women’s Most Valuable Player Award for the tournament.

The second overall prize went to The Brews team who had a happy, cheering squad on the sideline applauding for them.


The Brews women’s volleyball team (in front) placed second overall at the 2025 Beach Games. They were cheered on by their lively and happy supporters pictured in the background. MELINA ETCHES/25011810

The Brews captain Nanave Goodwin said they all had a lot of fun and were happy to place in the top three.

Goodwin said that each year, their team of women gets together and enters all the disciplines in the Beach Games because they enjoy the sports.

Fourteen women’s and 12 men’s teams showcased great potential and brought fresh energy to the beach volleyball competition.

The prizegiving awards for the men’s and women’s division was held shortly after the women’s finals on Saturday.

Prizes

The following individual players and teams were acknowledged for their outstanding play.  Men’s Division: Most Valuable Player - Hoani Terii Hopuare (Humaria Boys), Most Outstanding Team - Beach Bums, Best Team Performance - The Brew. Women’s Division: Most Valuable Player - Twina Tangirere (AKTT), Most Outstanding Team - Needing Spare Parts, Best Team Performance – CISSY’S.

Winners in the Men’s Division: 1 Humaria Boys & Team Vera (Tied Placing), 3 Bounty Spikers, 4 Outlaws 1. Women’s Division: 1 'Ātui'anga ki te Tango Grey, 2 The Brew, 3 Side Out Ladies, 4 Project Five.

Comments

Leave a Reply