Lets Go!

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026! We’re kicking off the year with exciting momentum across our Netball community. The National Development Camp held in January in Ashburton brought renewed energy and development opportunities for our players, coaches and umpires. We’re also thrilled to celebrate the announcement of our 2026 Mainland Umpire Squad, a group of dedicated officials who continue to raise the standard of our game. We've also punched above our weight in the selection of 9 coaches across Mainland for the Coaching for Impact and Te Manakitanga Women in coaching programs!

We would also like to congratulate Tatiana Makea, who has been named as a New Zealand Secondary Schools Triallist after a successful National Development Camp in January. We wish Tatiana the very best of luck for her trial in April. Tatiana was a part of the Nelson College for Girls Senior A team last year and was identified as a talented athlete from the South Island Secondary Schools Netball tournament. She will be joining the St Margaret's College team this year after her whānau shifted down to Christchurch at the beginning of this year.

Congratulations to you all, and we look forward to seeing the knowledge you gain and share with our community! 

Pre‑season is an exciting and important phase in the netball calendar, a time to shift from off‑season recovery into focused preparation. At Mainland, we’re already in planning mode and looking forward to visiting Centres and Partnerships to support their pre‑season development days. These sessions help refresh skills, build confidence, and set everyone up for a positive start to the season.
We encourage you to connect with your local Centre to see what opportunities are available, from player development and umpire refreshers to coaching workshops and fitness sessions. 

And as we look ahead, we’re proud to champion positive sideline behaviour through this year’s Good Sports campaign, reinforcing our commitment to creating supportive, growth-focused environments for all. Here’s to a connected, inspiring, and action-packed season ahead!

We can’t wait to see you all courtside soon.

Ngā mihi nui

The Mainland Team

Mainland SHNL Trials 2026 Season

After an incredible championship-winning 2025 season, we’re ready to go again, and we want YOU to be part of the journey! We’re inviting passionate netballers to open trials for the 2026 Mainland SHNL team.

Key Details:

Trial Dates: 7 & 8 March 2026

Trainings: Twice a week

Competition Dates: 16 May - 14 June (aligned with Round 2 of the ANZ Premiership)

This is your chance to step up, showcase your skills, and join a team that’s chasing back-to-back glory! Registrations close on 2 March 2026

Register your interest now by completing the form below: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/392771

Celebrating Mainland Excellence at the 2025 New Zealand Netball Awards!

A huge round of applause for our incredible Mainland zone representatives who shone on the national stage and brought home some of the country’s top honours.

Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award - Karin Burger

ANZ Premiership Coach of the Year - Donna Wilkins

ASICS National Netball League Coach of the Year - Geni Ah Tong

Synergy Hair National Netball League Player of the Year - Te Ata Hassan

G.J. Gardner Homes Outstanding Contribution to Netball by a Technical Official - Anne Harrison

We’re incredibly proud of our Mainland whānau. Your achievements reflect the passion, hard work, and spirit that define our zone. 

Ngā mihi nui to each of you for representing us with excellence.

Congratulations to all the award recipients - read more here https://www.netballnz.co.nz/.../2025-new-zealand-netball...

Sport Canterbury is proud to launch Keep It Positive, a region-wide campaign promoting safe and supportive sideline behaviour.

The campaign, a refresh of Sport Canterbury’s earlier ‘Let’s Keep It Positive’ initiative, follows the successful launch in South and Mid Canterbury in 2025.

Read more:

Campaign encourages positive sideline behaviour across Waitaha Canterbury