Victoria Domain courts abuzz

YMP took out the A Grade title again in the annual Kathleen Henderson netball tournament on Saturday at the Victoria Domain courts. YMP won outright with Horouta the runners-up on points differential with Whangara Old Girls. YMP’s Ana Naden gets in the air to recieve a pass as Horouta’s Samantha Reeves looks to contest during their match on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

Tūranga FM YMP 1 came out on top again in the Sutherland Auto-sponsored Kathleen Henderson netball tournament at the Victoria Domain courts on Saturday.

“It was a great day at the courts to get our year underway,” centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“The weather wasn’t fully on our side, but it was awesome to see the teams in action and lots of support around the courts.”

There were 28 teams in action, following two late withdrawals from the Ngata College teams, across the four grades.

“This was also the first application of the new rules of the game that were introduced by World Netball this year to be put into play,” Hall said.

“It was good to see some examples of the tactical changes and other new procedures in action.”

“It was great to see the return of Tairāwhiti Māori Netball teams as they prepare to attend the Aotearoa Māori Nationals in Rotorua over Easter weekend for the first time since 2019.

“We were excited to see so many school teams entering the tournament this year also,” Hall said.

“It was a great chance for schools to try out new combinations and get some new players experience out on the court before the season proper begins.”

Grade results were close, noted by the number of bonus points earned throughout the day, which were only awarded if a team lost within two goals.

In the A Grade, in a repeat of the 2023 result, the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Shield was again won by Tūranga FM YMP 1.

Horouta TR Builds Koura tied on points with Whangara OG 1, however, they took the runners-up spot on goal difference — Horouta GD 13, Whangara GD 6.

“The Horouta ladies received the Carmichael Shield.”

In the B Grade, Tairāwhiti Māori under-17s took out the Patsy Burke Shield as the B Grade winners.

“They had a successful day with five wins and a draw from their six games,” Hall said.

Ngatapa Green were runners-up in that grade winning the Carr Cup.

In the C Grade, Sportsfit 2 had an unbeaten run to take out the Elizabeth Crawford Shield.

“However, Tairāwhiti Māori u15s didn’t make it easy with their final game of the day against each other being the grade decider and finishing 8-7.”

Tairāwhiti Māori u15s received the PB Umpires Cup.

In the D Grade, Ngatapa White received the Dawn Gallagher Shield, also having an unbeaten run over the day.

“Pirates, in their first showing in the tournament in years, had their only loss against the Ngatapa ladies to take the Bobby Hunter Cup as runners-up.”

Full results are available on the GNC website: https://www.sporty.co.nz/gisbornenc/Tournaments-1/Kathleen-Henderson-PreSeason-Tournament