Wow - this year has been a sprint from start to finish!  As we gear up for the home stretch, there is much to celebrate. 

Our strategic focus on a positive culture and more fun (it’s why we play after all!) has seen a rethink of our competition structure and much more flexibility to enable maximum numbers to participate.  This has included more events like our Carnival - a fun tournament day of modified games, costumes and prizes for all ages and for the whole community to come and enjoy.  It has meant breaking up regular competition with things like town/country, fast five, and allowing player sharing.  A great innovation this year was having a combined rep camp for all grades plus families for some opportunities to bond and mentor the younger players. 

The emphasis on positivity has helped with a noticeably improved sideline culture, but also stronger involvement across the board.  It hasn’t dampened down the competition though! Our senior grade is very tight, with any team able to beat any team on their day. 

The position of Umpire Coordinator has been challenging to fill for a few seasons, but we are delighted that Alex Fissenden has stepped into the role.  She has shown real commitment, recently gaining her Centre Award, also mentoring our youth umpires and running multiple workshops for all grades. 

A challenge in recent years has been low numbers in our youth grades, and keeping the interest up throughout the season.  Our partnership with Hurunui and North Canterbury has been a real asset in this area. NC provides quality player development programmes and pathways for our more advanced youth players, while Hurunui opens opportunities to play their Future Ferns and U14 teams. We will also combine for a youth Fast Five tournament later in the year.  These games increase variety and interest, but also allow teams to play against their own age.  Along with our specialist KYNGs club for high school players now into its third season, these initiatives have brought good growth in the age group and more quality.  

Looking ahead to next year, our strategic focus is increasing participation in Yr 1-6.  Netball is now just one of many options.  We anticipate three of our four primary schools may struggle to field a team next year.  As the only fully local winter sport competition with strong infrastructure and player pathways, it is very important we sustain both numbers and quality.  We are taking the dual approach of working more closely with other sports, and with the primary schools on a programme to boost participation.   

Coming up, we are looking forward to next week’s ’Train with the Tactix’ session for our youth players, and wrapping up the season with exciting playoffs and a volunteer appreciation pizza night.  Fingers and toes are crossed that next season we will be able to move to the new multisport hub at Takahanga - possibly the most picturesque spot to play netball in the South Island - and hopefully a great boost for our sport! 

Article added: Wednesday 31 July 2024