Rare chance for fans to see top New Zealand netball in one spot

Former Silver Fern Irene Van Dyk was part of commentary team at Te Wananga o Raukawa for the pre-season netball tournament.

A region starved for top-class sporting events could be treated to a pre-season tournament hosting the best New Zealand netball players for years to come.

The top New Zealand players were again on show at the weekend in Ōtaki as the pre-season tournament held at Te Wānanga ō Raukawa drew all six ANZ premiership teams for a weekend of top-level games.

Rarely is a region like Horowhenua treated to a top-level sporting events and the annual pre-season netball event shines out like a beacon on the sporting calendar.

Northern Mystics, Northern Stars, Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, Central Pulse, Mainland Tactix and Southern Steel played over three days in readiness for the ANZ championship starting March 15.

That meant a small group of young fans had prime access to players after the game. The

players did their part too by conversing with the young fans and signing autographs - even the clothing of young fans - and taking selfies.

Grace Nweke and Ta Huinga Reo Selby-Rickitt had a good contest when The Sting played The Mystics at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki at the weekend.

Tickets sales were up this year as the profile of the event grows.

Te Wananga o Raukawa Tumurua Oriwia Raureti said as they were principal partners of the Central Pulse, the tournament came about as a result of that relationship.

Now in its fifth year, the tournament looks like it could be here for years to come as an annual pre-season fixture for all teams.

"It has become one," she said.

It suited the Pulse in the preparations too, as in the past the three other northern-based teams had often played each other in pre-season, and the two South Island-based sides had done the same.

"It's something we mooted with them," she said.

Netball NZ were on board, too, sending top umpires and officials.

All teams stayed on campus "marae-style" which enabled relationships and bonds within teams to quickly form. Within hours of arriving they were laughing and joking with other teams, too, she said.

The players were also immersed in tikanga māori, learning waiata and mau rakau.

"Their whole ahua changes because they are in a whānau-type environment," she said.

"And then they go out on court and are ferocious".

Raureti said all proceeds from ticket sales, which were growing each year, went towards hosting the teams with meals and accommodation over the three days.

"It's cost recovery with ticket sales," she said.

Raureti said sponsoring the Pulse was a good fit for the wānanga as top level netballers were dedicated women and positive role models for youngsters.

"It is really uplifting for women in general, because it is not about being superstars because not everyone can be. It's about being the best you can be," she said.

Sky Sport live streamed the tournament through Facebook with commentators like Silver Fern great Irene Van Dyk on the microphone.