Netball: Heat blamed for apathy

By Sarah Nealon

It seems not even netball can escape the effects of global warming. The heat inside and outside is proving to be a headache for Coca-Cola Cup organisers.

Sweltering temperatures inside the sports stadiums are rattling the players, while the sunshine keeps the crowds away.

Auckland stadiums have been around a quarter full for the first four rounds of this national netball league, and Wellington has also suffered.

Netball New Zealand's marketing manager, Dean McLachlan, attributes these low crowd numbers in part to the climate.

"In Auckland the first Sunday of the league was unbelievable," he said. "But even in Dunedin last weekend it was unseasonably hot at 30 degrees."

Karen Brown, spokeswoman for the Southern Sting, said her team were used to playing before sellout crowds of 1800. She was disappointed by the low numbers who turned out to see her team take on the Diamonds in Auckland last Sunday.

"We were really shocked. When we play back home in Invercargill, we have people queuing up to buy tickets."

Kathy Doyle, spokeswoman for the Capital Shakers, said fine weather in Wellington last weekend also kept the fans away.

The franchise manager for the Auckland Diamonds, Julie Townsend, said apathy was the chief reason behind the small Auckland crowds.

"We do everything we jolly well can to get people to come along, but Aucklanders are pathetic about supporting any sport. It's so disappointing to see 500 people turn up to a game.

"They don't realise what a skillful, exciting game it is to watch."

The players are noticing the heat, too. During the clash between the Otago Rebels and the Auckland Diamonds, the afternoon heat at the ASB Stadium overcame two players.