Umpire's busy new role

One of the issues raised is what levels of support will there be for the smaller centres. Karen Greenslade, ENR regional chief Karen Greenslade rates herself as a passionate netball umpire.

Like most umpires she is no stranger to hostile environments. Greenslade recalled a game she controlled last year where there was "pressure from a lot of players".

"I won't name the teams. But I had to be prepared, I had to be calm and my No1 concern was the players' safety ... I learned a lot from that game," Greenslade said.

The mother of three children aged 8, 5 and 3 believes such experiences have prepared her well for her new role as the Eastern Netball Region's regional manager. Neutrality and the ability to sum up both sides of any argument will be keys to her success.

A former Eastern Netball board member and former social player, Greenslade, is in for a busy year. One of the highlights will be the hosting of the Central Pulse-Southern Steel ANZ Championship match at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena on April 7.

As part of the buildup to the game the Central Pulse team will make a promotional visit to the Bay on March 17. Pulse players will attend a pre-season tournament at Hastings and conduct a series of activities with youngsters.

"You're right ... it's going to be an easy game to promote with new Pulse coach Robyn Broughton up against her old team. Their visit is good timing for us as it kick starts the whole season and these visits usually pick up local netball so we're really lucky," Greenslade said.

The region's fifth regional manager since 2003, Greenslade, has a one-year contract and knows whether or not Netball New Zealand adopt their proposed new structure for next year which is based on zones similar to the Super Rugby franchises will be a factor in whether or not she has a job next year. She expects to hear in October whether or not it will be adopted.

"We've had a lot of feedback and it's been mixed. One of the issues raised is what levels of support will there be for the smaller centres like Wairoa, Dannevirke and Central Hawke's Bay if the new structure is adopted."

She pointed out another concern within the region was the level of financial support Eastern must give to the Central Pulse franchise which ran at a loss during the past financial year. Three of New Zealand's five franchises finished the year in the red. "We support the Pulse in the ANZ Championship but we don't believe the championship's existing structure makes it financially viable."

Greenslade is keen to see the Pulse play in Hawke's Bay once every season rather than every two years. The big fan of retired Silver Ferns midcourter Temepara George wants another Silver Ferns match in the Bay as soon as possible too. The Silver Ferns last played at the Arena in 2010.

Greenslade said Eastern's Top Club competition this season will have an extended format. Instead of being run over one weekend it will be played over two in June and will involve the region's top eight teams. "This will result in a better trial window for the Eastern senior team," Greenslade explained.

Promotion-relegation games for the Hawke's Bay Premier League will begin next month and the competition proper will start in April and end with finals in August. The Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools League will start in May.

Greenslade still intends to umpire when time permits. She has her New Zealand theory badge and within the next three years hopes to earn her practical.

Promising Eastern umpire Danielle Maulder is tipped by Greenslade to continue her rapid progress on the national scene. "With Ruth [former Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken] having already visited and Robyn [Broughton] coming through to take a series of high performance workshops we're making a positive start to the season."

It will be interesting to see if there is a positive end with some improved performances from the region's flagship team, the Eastern seniors.