Entries to the Helen Dodge Memorial Netball Tournament at Harbourside Netball Centre in Mount Maunganui tomorrow have exceeded early expectations with more than 400 players from the mid-North Island region and further afield taking part.
The tournament honours the memory of the long-time Harbourside Netball Centre chief executive Helen Dodge who died 12 months ago.
Teams from Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley and the King Country will be joined by a North Harbour team in the Under-15 grade with a side from the Ko Rua Cluster and an Invitation Premier team competing in the Under-19 division.
"We have had an overwhelming response in the form of entries to the Helen Dodge Memorial Tournament," Harbourside Netball chief executive Nicola Compton said.
"Fifty-four teams have entered with strong numbers in the Year 7, Year 8 and Under-15 age groups. The support from netball centres around the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and further afield is testament to the high regard Helen Dodge was held in.