 However cricket was his chosen sport and he excelled by making the New Zealand 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka in a team that included Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Tim Southee.Noema-Barnett then made his debut for the Otago Volts in the 20/20 campaign of 2006/07 season.After failing to secure a regular playing position with the Volts he moved to Napier in New Zealand's North Island and played for Hawkes Bay in an attempt to kick-start his career with the Central Districts Stags.