Netball: Central thrive in top flight

Central's Rochelle Bourke, left, and WHHS's Devon Pikimaui. Western Heights High School Senior A v Central. College netball senior championship. Photograph by Stephen Parker

Local netball club Central have high hopes of sticking around in the Rotorua Netball Centre's premier grade for many years to come, after making the big step up this year.

Central Gold coach Jason Horne said the club had not had a side in the premier one division - of Rotorua's senior Saturday competition - for many years.

He said his team were really enjoying the competition this season after making the step up this year. "The club has not had a premier one team in a long time. It could be 10 years," he said.

"I've umpired for Central for the last three or four years and this year I decided to coach and try and create a premier one culture within the club."

Horne said he had a relatively young team, with a few old heads, but they were competing well.

"They have been really good, the ones that have never played reps they did not realise that netball could be so serious," he said.

"This year I wanted the girls to get a bit more experience at premier one level and next year we can come out with a hiss and a roar."

He said at times it was pretty stressful being a coach at that level, but it was a good challenge for all involved.

"I don't know if I'm going to have any fingernails left by the end of the season," he said with a laugh.

Rotorua Netball Centre's premier one division includes eight teams and is split into the Senior Banner round for the first half of the season followed by the Senior Championship for the second half of the season, which got under way earlier this month.

Horne said it would be great to grow into a top side in years to come to challenge the likes of Hinemoa and Whakarewarewa in the top division.

Horne said they finished about mid-table in the Senior Banner round earlier this year and were hoping to pick up some results in the Senior Championship round which was currently in progress.

Horne also encouraged players to get in touch with the club before the season starts next year, if they wanted to play.