Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2024 season. The first being played at Ngā Pun Wai and a season of many changes. A new location to play at, new rules to adjust to and new courts for all our Marian College teams to train on! It has been 13 long years since we can say that we have courts that our own to use. With 12 teams this season and most training two times per week, it does take a little bit of organisation to make arrangements for who is training when. The other thing that is different will be travelling to the new playing venue for all teams except our K and L teams that will play at Hagley Park. 

The season begins this Saturday 27 April for our Senior A team. Our Senior B,C and D teams begin playing Monday 29 April and all other teams on Saturday 4 May.

 Please see here for the link to the dates for the season. 

https://www.sporty.co.nz/cnc/Competitions/season-dates

Our Year 9A, 10A, Senior A and B teams also play in the weekly Wednesday competition. This will begin in Week 3 of Term 2. Further information relating to this will be sent to players in these teams later this week.

Other key dates to be aware of this Term: Mercy Cup Tuesday 11 June. This will involve our Year 9A, 10A, and Senior A, B and C Netball teams. This year the day will be hosted by Roncalli College in Timaru so it will be an early morning bus trip.

The draws are now all available for at least the first week. Please note there may be some teething problems with this which means there may be some changes. There are three weeks of grading games and then 2 rounds follow this.

The link for the Christchurch Netball Centre weekly draws can be found here:

Closed Grades - A team: https://www.netballchristchurch.org.nz/draws-1/cnc-closed-grade-draws

Under 21 Grade playing Monday nights: https://www.netballchristchurch.org.nz/draws-1/cnc-monday-u21-grade-draw

All teams playing Under 17 and below: https://www.netballchristchurch.org.nz/draws-1/cnc-saturday-open-grade-draw

The school sport website for those playing on a Wednesday can also be used:https://drawsresults.sportsrunner.net/school/?org=CSS&club=MR&style=club

Please be aware you will need to allow more time to get to the venue each week. As has always been the case on a Saturday and now on a Monday, players will be expected to make their own way to and from the courts. For some teams, it may be possible to do some car pooling which is recommended if you are coming form the same areas. There is lots of car parking available on site at the new venue, which will be a luxury. 

Below is a picture of the court plan for the indoor courts and where parking is available outside. There is a small cafe on site which provides coffee.

CNC have also provided information about spectators at the new venue:

• Supporters can stand on the mezzanine
• Supporters can sit in the red and black seats along the Centre wall
• Supporters can share positive messages that lift the mana of participants and umpires
• Please do not stand on the team sideline or at the end of the courts

• Only water (no other food and liquid on the courts)
• Only soft soled shoes on the courts
• If there is a spill on the courts, please wipe it up immediately
• And, most importantly, be mindful on the mezzanine. Please never touch or lean against the glass.

Invoices are still to be sent! Apologies for this as it has taken longer than we anticipated to get things sorted. Please keep an eye out in your emails for an invoice from netball@mariancollege.school.nz. Sometimes these emails can go to spam. All outstanding payments  are now to be made to the Netball Club Account.  The account details for this are Westpac 03-1700-0072907-000.  Please indicate the player's name as a reference. Please note full payment is required by Friday 17 May 2024. After this date players will not be permitted to take the court if fees are outstanding.  If you wish to set up an automatic payment please email Chris Woods on netball@mariancollege.school.nz

Any outstanding dress, socks, and drink bottle payments should also be made to this account. 

Subscriptions for 2024 are:

Senior A team playing in the Senior grade on a Saturday at Nga Puna Wai: $250 per player

Senior B/C/D team playing in the Under 21 grade on a Monday night at Nga Puna Wai: $235 per player

Senior E/F team playing in the Under 17 grade on a Saturday at Nga Puna Wai: $225 per player

Year 10 A/B/C playing in the Under 15 grade on a Saturday at Nga Puna Wai:$205 per player

Year 9A playing in the Under 14 grade on a Saturday at Nga Puna Wai: $205 per player

Year 9B/9C playing in the Under 14 grade on a Saturday at Hagley Park: $195 per player

For your information an approximate breakdown of the fees are as follows: Approximately 80-90% goes towards fees payable to Netball NZ, Zone fees and Christchurch Netball. The remainder goes towards costs associated with school sport levies, uniforms (dresses, coaches coats), team bags, equipment such as balls, bibs, training gear, and administration costs. Please note we do not pay our coaches. 

In order for the season to run smoothly and players to get the best out of the season it is important to maintain high standards and to support our coaches.

The following is required:

Players must wear the correct uniform: the Marian Netball dress with red socks with the Marian logo on these. Please note these socks are part of our history and players will not be permitted to take the court without these. Navy or black spandex should be worn under dresses.  Only a navy polyprop can be worn under the dress (no other colour). 

Players are also expected to wear the Marian College sports jacket and or rugby jersey/hoodie to the courts.

Arriving at the courts - please ensure players arrive on time at the courts. Normal procedure is that players arrive 40 minutes before their game, ready to warm up with a full water bottle.

Attendance at Games and Training - players are expected to attend all trainings unless they are are away unwell from school. It is courtesy to let coaches know as soon as possible if players are unwell, injured or required to miss a game due to a prior commitment. Any player that is injured is still expected to attend trainings and games. Please note that no Marian College team is permitted to default a game in the competition unless in extreme circumstances.

Positive sideline support by our parents and supporters is expected at all times. Please remember that the umpires are volunteers and we cannot play without them.

The code of conduct is an expectation for all our coaches, managers, players, umpires and supporters. Click here to read more: 

Umpiring is also a requirement for all clubs. Each week we are required to provide 3 club umpires and to umpire our 3 Under 14 teams. In addition to this all teams in Senior 2 and the Under 21 grades are required to provide umpires every Saturday. A team roster will be set up for each of these teams.

If you have any further questions, please contact the coach/coaches of your team. All teams are set up on Heja and parents are encouraged to join each team. This will allow you to be reminded of training and game times each week and to message coaches if for any reason players cannot attend trainings. Players are encouraged to contact coaches themselves. Each player has been emailed a team code to join their team.

The website for all information relating to Saturday netball is http://www.sporty.co.nz/mariancol.  

Click here to view our Facebook page. Each week photos and updates will be posted here.

Our club Secretary is Nicki Purdon. Please contact Nicki on nicki.purdon@gmail.com

Our Treasurer is Chris Woods who can be contacted on netball@mariancollege.school.nz

We are also using a new email address this year for all things relating to Saturday netball at Marian College. Please email: netball@mariancollege.school.nz

For further support please email Rachel Parkin on rachelp@mariancollege.school.nz

Our Senior A and B squad and our Year 10A team had the opportunity to play in the North Canterbury pre season tournament. This was a great way to see our players on court and to begin getting to know each other. A big thanks to our supporters and to Hannah Swain who umpired for us on the day. Also to the Mackenzie family who provided and set up the gazebo.