Dannevirke: Leota's visit sets Pulse racing for young fans

Junior netballers Casey, Amber and Tayla Mitchell were excited to meet their netball hero, Liana Leota, at the Dannevirke netball headquarters on Saturday morning.

The Dannevirke netball headquarters became action central on Saturday morning when Pulse wing attack Liana Leota arrived to meet fans.

Young netballers and their parents queued out the door as they waited to meet the star player.

"It was a fantastic morning," Rochelle Cammock, the administrator for Dannevirke netball, said. "We're so pleased the Pulse management decided to include Dannevirke in their visits and Leota was a hit with everyone. There were quite a few star-struck girls there."

The grading game between Steel A (in black) and Magic A (green) at the Anderson St courts on Saturday was a close-fought game.

After signing posters and netballs, Leota spent some time with a group of girls answering questions ahead of her team's big match against the Southern Steel in Palmerston North the next day.

The clash was intense and a great game for 20 Dannevirke representative netballers and their coaches and management who had free tickets donated by the ANZ Bank.

"Our Year 7 and 8 girls were thrilled to receive the tickets from the Dannevirke branch of the bank for the game," Mrs Cammock said.

Beating the Steel at Palmerston North's Arena Manawatu would have all-but assured the Pulse of finishing third in the New Zealand conference. Instead, the 55-55 draw means the Steel continue to occupy that spot.

The visit by Leota was the highlight of a busy morning of grading games for junior netballers.