Premier one comp set to grow in size

The jury is out on just how many teams will contest Netball Wairarapa's premier one inter-club competition this year.
Eight teams were in the mix last season but there is a strong possibility that number could increase by at least two in 2010.
Hiona and Makoura College are two new teams thought to be seriously considering applying for premier one status and at least one other could be in the pipeline.
Netball Wairarapa chairwoman Sandy Biel said yesterday it was ''very likely'' their fate would be known by the end of this week.
''We seem to have a clear choice for premier one, either eight teams or 10,'' Biel said, adding there was little, or no, chance of a competition format including a bye being considered acceptable. ''If we got up to 12, we'd probably have to think again.''
Biel also revealed yesterday that no Wairarapa teams _ either from one club or from a mixture of clubs _ would be contesting the regional superleague competition in 2010.
She said expressions of interest had been requested from players keen to be part of any local side and only two had been received. Biel admitted the poor response came as no surprise, as members of the powerful Harcourts team, which played in the superleague last year, are no longer interested for a variety of reasons.
''Obviously it's disappointing but it's understandable. It's a big commitment for players time-wise and a lot of those capable of competing at a higher level struggle to cope with that,'' she said. ''And the college players have a busy enough schedule without trying to fit in the superleague as well.''
Biel emphasised, however, that if there was sufficient player interest, entry in the 2011 superleague was not out of the question.
''It's something which has to be looked at on a season-to-season basis and that's what we will be doing,'' she said.