Opening shots in premier netball

Premier match-ups as the netball season proper begins at Victoria Domain tomorrow will be fascinating, with YMP, Horouta and Whangara coming off strong performances in the Kathleen Henderson tournament last month. Intensity from that tournament will surely flow into the start of the Pak’n Save competition, as in this battle between Mia Reeves and Piper Donaldson from Horouta and YMP. File picture by Paul Rickard

The Pak’n Save netball competition begins for 2024 at the Victoria Domain courts tomorrow in the senior, secondary and intermediate grades, while in the premier division eyes will be on

the performances of YMP, Horouta and Whangara.

Premier and premier reserve grades will each contain six teams this season, with five in each of the other senior grades.

“We are slightly down in numbers in the senior grades this season,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.

“In the premier grade, Ngatapa have opted to play in the premier reserve grade this year, so we have an even number of teams for round one.”

The premier games tomorrow will feature at 10 am Whangara OG 1 versus Gisborne

Girls High Seniors. At 11 am Claydens Waikohu 1 play YMP Turanga FM, and at 12pm Character Roofing YMP take on TR Builds Horouta Koura.

“It is always hard to make predictions early in the season, but I am sure eyes will be on YMP Turanga FM, TR Builds Horouta Koura and Whangara OG,” Beale said.

“They all had good outings in the Kathleen Henderson Tournament.

“Claydens Waikohu 1 and GGHS Snr A did not enter the first tournament of the year, but we know they will be competitive.

“All teams in this grade will be determined to start their season on a high and spectators will be keen to see the make-up of their teams and whether they have retained the bulk of last year’s players,” she said.

“It is always interesting to see the start of netball and the make-up of teams in all grades — players who have remained with their team, players who have returned after a break, players who have moved teams, and new players to the district.

“It all adds to the interesting, competitive nature of netball,” Beale said.

The secondary and intermediate teams play two grading games with another two next week.

“The courts at Victoria Domain will be busy from 9am through to 3pm tomorrow.”