Carterton girl nets moment in spotlight

A Carterton Primary School pupil had the thrill of a lifetime at the ANZ transtasman league netball fixture between the Central Pulse and the Adelaide Thunderbirds at the TSB Arena in Wellington on Monday night.

Leana Malcolm-Rzoska, 10, met captains Katrina Grant (Pulse) and Sharnin Layton (Thunderbirds) before joining the two teams on court for the televised opening of the game.

Malcolm-Rzoska and another young netball enthusiast of the same age, Emily Best of Raumati Beach School, both won the opportunity through the ANZ Future Captains initiative and were suitably impressed at the honour bestowed upon them.

Making the occasion even more notable for Leana was the fact she was celebrating her birthday and she agreed it was the ultimate present. "I loved the whole night. It was pretty scary walking out in court in front of everyone but it ended up being really fun.

"It's my dream to become a Pulse player one day so being able to stand next to Katrina and get an idea of what it's like to be her was so cool."

For Emily Best the evening was topped off when she won $100 at a quarter-time obstacle course. She said the best part was when the Pulse won, "I was really relieved as the game was so close."

And nobody could argue with that, a record crowd of 3723 roaring themselves hoarse as the Pulse won 47 to 46.

Head of sponsorship for ANZ Susan McGregor said just 66 children from around the country had been selected through the Future Captains initiative and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them. "It's a thrilling opportunity for young netballers to meet their heroes."