Change in timing puts top team out in cold

Defending champions Celtic had little option but to withdraw from Netball Wairarapa's premier one inter-club competition in 2010.
Their defection came after a decision was made to play this season's premier one games at either the Genesis Recreation Centre on Friday nights or the Colombo Rd courts on Saturday afternoons rather than at the rec centre on Thursday or Friday nights, as was the case last year.
Dayle Clarkson, who coached the title-winning Celtic side, said the programming change left her almost bereft of players, many of whom had Saturday work and sport commitments.
''We couldn't guarantee being able to consistently field a team and that basically forced us to withdraw,'' Clarkson said. ''Obviously we are disappointed at not being able to defend the title but that's the way it goes.''
The actual make-up of the premier one competition for 2010 won't be confirmed until after Fagan Motors Hotshots, Hiona, Carterton Legends and Makoura College contest a promotion-relegation series from which three of them will qualify to play at the higher level.
Fagan Motors Hotshots are a new-look side from last season and will again be coached by Sandy Biel. Defender Sandi Gray and sharpshooter Liz Wilton are likely to be standout players.
Hiona, too, have a number of new players in their line-up, including three sisters who have transferred from Hastings. Umpire Kelly Te Whare will also be returning to the fold this season.
Carterton Legends were the premier two winners in 2009 and they will again have the experienced Nelda Day spearheading their effort while the up-and-coming Makoura College side has Janine Southey as coach and is likely to include talented Te Kura o Wairarapa defender Katarina Matapuka.
Guaranteed places in the premier one grade are seven teams ... Harcourts, Kuranui College, St Matthew's Collegiate, Wairarapa College, Gladstone All Blacks, Carterton Sports Arena and Pioneer.
Harcourts won the premier one title two seasons ago but elected to contest the regional superleague competition last year and did well to top the second division standings and earn promotion to first division.
A mix of retirements and unavailabilities has, however, led to them giving the superleague a miss this time round and even allowing for their depletions _ which will include player-coach Kelly Sargent for at least half the season _ they should be frontrunners for the premier one crown.
Kuranui College will be coached by Sue Button and will again feature teacher Jess Rutherford in the defence, Lauren Crimp in midcourt and Waimarama Phillips in the shooting circle.
A player to watch will be Sinead Namana in her debut season in premier one.
St Matthew's Collegiate will field a mainly inexperienced team and they will look to year 12 players Shannon Sim and Jess Atmore to lead the way for the likes of Charlotte Pope, Brooke Sim, Talia Hullena, Maddie Baker, Dushka Warren and Danielle McKay.
Wairarapa College could be the strongest of the colleges as they have nine of their squad currently training with the Wairarapa under-19s and the remainder with the under-17s.
Pohiri Gemmell, Grace Southey and Judy Brown will give them depth in the shooting department and Charlotte Mossman is sure to make her present felt in midcourt. Coach Jacqui Southey also has the luxury of a number of options at the defence end.
Gladstone All Blacks have lost the experience of Celia Donaldson and Sally McKay but have promoted Gemma Askew from their premier two side and will also benefit from the return of Georgie Shaw.
Carterton Sports Arena will have regulars in Annelise Taloa, Anna Stuart, Sally Newton and Kristin Maxwell back on court, Rebecca Buick and Sue McGhie make a welcome return and Mel Bint and Amanda Fairhall have been promoted from the lower grades.
Pioneers are something of an unknown quantity because of player movement from last season but they became a competitive unit in 2009 and a similar showing can be anticipated again.
Premier one competition games will get under way on Friday, April 23, and there will be no play over Queen's Birthday Weekend because for the first time in a long while Wairarapa will be hosting a tournament for under-17 and under-15 players that weekend.
The under-17 reps are coached by Kim Whiteman and the under-15s by Lissa Goldsworthy assisted by Kelly Sargent. Trials for these sides will be held on Sunday at the Genesis Recreation Centre.