New competition to retain young male netballers

The number of young males currently playing netball in the Wairarapa has prompted the introduction of a secondary schoolboys competition, which will run for six weeks, beginning in mid-October.
Netball Wairarapa centre manager Kim Whiteman said yesterday up to a dozen boys were presently playing alongside their female counterparts in primary school teams and the worry was they could be lost to the sport as they got older.
This was because Netball New Zealand rules were that mixed teams were not permissible from secondary school age upwards.
"We're keen to give any boys who want to play netball the chance to do so, no matter what their age," Whiteman said. "It's a growth area for our sport and we want to take advantage of it."
Matches in the secondary schoolboys competition will be held on Monday nights and there will be two grades, one for year 9 and 10 players and the others for year 11 to 13 players.
Whiteman said the idea of playing on Mondays was so boys involved in other winter codes would also have the opportunity to try their hand at netball.
Four colleges, Wairarapa, Rathkeale, Makoura and Kuranui, have already signified they will be entering teams although the actual numbers have yet to be confirmed.
"We really have been delighted with the early response from the schools, it looks very positive," Whiteman said.
A maximum of 12 players will be allowed for each team and they will not only be playing for the winning team trophies but also for other awards such as fair play, best defence, best attack and most improved.
Meanwhile, Netball Wairarapa are also being proactive in establishing how they can best progress their sport over the next decade.
A meeting is being held at their Colombo Road complex on Saturday at which invited people who are or have been strong supporters of Wairarapa netball will be asked to give their views on the matter.
"We will be taking a broad perspective this time round, things will get more specific at similar meetings in the weeks ahead," Whiteman said. "The aim is to come up with a meaningful 10-year plan so it's important that every possible avenue is covered."