Netball: Grading brings new edge to comp

The Whangarei Netball Centre started the 2013 netball season on Friday with the first of two weeks of grading.

Changes to the Whangarei Netball Centre (WNC) netball grading system this season allows a complete round robin of all teams based on their 2012 rankings. After the two weeks of grading, a new grading promotion-relegation day will see the top two teams in each grade challenge for the grade above before the commencement of the preliminary round - hopefully resulting in a more comprehensive and closer competition.

As with every season, there were a number of changes to team line-ups with players moving clubs and the addition of new players, players coming into the area, or returning to the game. These changes and the fact that some teams are either in a growth, consolidation or rebuild phase were reflected in some of the grading results.

In terms of premier grading on Friday night, there were some big scores but it should be noted that the first week of grading has the top teams playing the bottom teams.

Friday night's draw, with four games (two 12 minute halves) scheduled, tested fitness but allowed opportunity for different combinations.

Unfortunately, only three of the four games were completed as the court lighting went out due to a power outage. The fourth scheduled game will now be added to the second Friday night grading.

It was a different story on the Saturday for the premier reserve grade with these games, in some instances, being very close and strongly contested. The fitness of players was again tested with three games scheduled in very warm conditions.

A summary of the first grading game results is as follows: Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1, Treewise Marist, Whangaruru Combined and Onerahi 1-all with three wins apiece and Manawanui Premier Red, Wahine Toa 1, WGHS 1 and Onerahi 2-all with three losses apiece.

The whole picture will only be revealed after the two weeks of grading as it is not until all the results are taken into account that the teams for promotion and relegation be known.

In the premier reserve grade, the new Manawanui White team dominated with three wins. As a new team in the premier reserve competition they will not be eligible for grading promotion-relegation.

Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2, Takahiwai 1 and Wahine Toa 2 all had two wins and one loss and Marist 1 and Active Refrigeration Fideliter 3 both had three losses.

It looks to be an interesting season again with some close and exiting games and competitions ahead over the ensuring five months. And fingers crossed for lots of dry winter Saturdays.