Ferns fever: Thumbs up from local fans

Keen netball fans (left to right) Casey Paul, 6, Tayla Paul, 8, and Paula Paul. Photo / STEPHANIE WORSOP

Rotorua Energy Event Centre was bursting at the seams last night as thousands of netball fans rallied for their national team.

The Silver Ferns took on England in front of a virtually sold-out crowd as part of the New World Netball Series.

The two teams were also competing for the Taini Jamison Trophy, named in honour of the well-known Rotorua netball identity.

Avid netball fan Theresa Graham said she was feeling nervous before the game.

"They haven't been on top form lately but you never know what will happen. I'm also recording it at home just in case I miss anything."

Ms Graham said it was "really cool" to have a high profile game in Rotorua.

"We need to be getting more international games like this one."

Local netball umpire Dominique Werahiko was "very excited" as he waited for the game to start.

"It's not every day you get to see two international teams go head-to-head in your home town so I am really excited.

"Having a national team playing in Rotorua is awesome and we should be considered more for those big games. Just look at how many people have turned out, we are definitely not short of supporters."

Paula Paul and her daughters Tayla, 8, and Casey, 6, were getting "really positive vibes" ahead of the game.

"We are just so excited, Tayla and Casey have just started playing netball this year and this is the first live game they've been to so everyone is feeling pretty pumped," Ms Paul said.

"We really want the Silver Ferns to win. When they do we are just going to go crazy," Tayla said.

Ms Paul said it was "brilliant" Rotorua was hosting an international match, and tickets were "reasonably priced".

"We didn't have to pay a ridiculous amount to get tickets so it makes the experience more family friendly. Rotorua definitely needs to host more big games at reasonable prices because it is a big draw-card."