Twenty netball teams gathered at Moewai Park Sports Ground in Whitianga on Sunday, 2 August, a cracker Sunday weather wise to celebrate the end of the season with the Mercury Bay Netball Junior Festival.
The day had a dress-up theme built around fun, fair play and fantastic flair, with prizes awarded for the best-dressed team.
The festival was organised for Mercury Bay Netball Centre, by 3 mums Kelly Walker, Leigh Pearce and Lucy Pavitt (coincidentally all from Whenuakite).
The regular netball season runs May to August with Game nights taking place on a Wednesday. Junior players in Years 5 and 6 take the court from 4pm to 5pm, Years 7 and 8 follow from 5pm to 6pm, and seniors play from 6pm to 8pm. On Tuesday evenings, walking netball offers a slower-paced option – no running or jumping, and one foot must stay on the ground at all times – making it ideal for newcomers or anyone easing back into the game after injury or time away.
On Sunday all five courts at the Sports Park were in use, filled with colourful teams of youngsters chasing the ball and shooting for goal. Boys are increasingly joining in alongside the girls, playing in mixed teams, with only two boys allowed on court at any one time.
”Netball is the now largest sporting code in Mercury Bay,” Kelly said. “We’ve got enough teams now that we don’t have to travel. As more boys get interested, there may soon be enough players to have boys only teams – and eventually leagues – of their own.”
The courts were full of happy, smiling kids, cheered on from the sideline by proud parents. Kelly puts the sport’s popularity down to its pace and the skills it builds. “It’s a fast-moving game that develops eye, ball and hand coordination. It’s a great way to build fitness and focus, and the most important factor is that kids get to have fun with their friends.”
Older players from Years 7 and 8 umpire the games for the younger grades, a system that helps them sharpen their own understanding of the rules and their play, while giving the younger children a clear path to look forward to as they progress through the grades.
The Mercury Bay Netball Centre is currently fundraising to send two teams – the Year 7/8 development team and the Under-14’s – to the Rotorua Netball Competition in September. The centre relies heavily on funding from Pub Charities, and Community and Gaming Trusts.
“We couldn’t do it without them”
That’s what Kelly says about their sponsors and supporters. “We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors, with special appreciation of New World as major sponsor. This year Guthrie Bowron generously stepped in supporting our umpires, and Monrad Excavation supporting Junior Netball with new goals. The Netball Centre greatly appreciates all the sponsors and gaming trusts.”
It was the perfect day for a netball festival, with plenty of active participants and even more enthusiastic parents on the sideline. Who knows – there may have been a future Silver Fern out on the courts today.
If your child would like to play netball, find out more at www.mercurybaynetball.co.nz
