Gisborne Netball’s season-opening tournament to feature 23 teams

The Kathleen Henderson Memorial tournament opens the Gisborne netball season on Saturday for the first time since 2024 and there will be action aplenty like this between YMP and Horouta at the Victoria Domain courts. Photo / Paul Rickard

The 2026 Gisborne Netball Centre’s season opens on Saturday with the Sutherland Auto Kathleen Henderson Memorial Tournament, which has attracted 23 teams.

It will be a welcome return of this traditional season-opening tournament, which was not held last year because of construction work at the Victoria Domain courts.

The tournament has great historical significance, with the trophies for each of the four grades honouring Gisborne netball representative players and officials.

The Kathleen Henderson Memorial Trophy was donated by the Henderson family in memory of their daughter in 1942.

“Kathleen was a Gisborne Girls’ High School and Poverty Bay representative player who died at the young age of 17,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“2024’s A Grade winners of this trophy, YMP Whānau, and the runners-up, Horouta, have entered again, so we are expecting some fierce competition.

“Also, Whāngārā have entered. They were tied with Horouta at the end of the round-robin in 2024 with Horouta progressing through on goal differential.

“However, do not discount the other teams entered in this grade – Waikohu 2 and both Horouta and WOG have entered two teams,” she said.

Expect some fierce battles like this one between (from left) Jess Collier, Sally Cameron, Nicole Kissling and Tahlia Makiri in a game between Waikohu and Ngātapa the last time the tournament was held in 2024. Photo / Paul Rickard

The B Grade teams compete for the Patsy Burke Memorial Shield in memory of a Poverty Bay representative who died when a ferry she was on sank in Tauranga.

“She was a stalwart of the St Mary’s Old Girls, Grey Wing and HSOG netball clubs,” Beale said.

“The 2024 winners, Tairāwhiti Māori U17s, have entered again, but the other teams - Tūranga Pirates Manawa, HSOG, YMP Wāhine, Pioneer Mixed and Whallis - will be determined to add their names to the shield.”

Jasmine Sparks on the ball for Whāngārā Old Girls in a game during the Kathleen Henderson Memorial tournament in 2024. Photo / Paul Rickard

The C Grade sides compete for the Elizabeth Crawford Memorial Shield, which was donated by the Crawford family and Grey Wing Netball Club in 1974.

“Elizabeth Crawford was a founding member of the Grey Wing club and a player who competed at top-level netball before dying of a blood disorder.

“In 2024, Sportsfit 2 had an unbeaten run to win this grade and their final game was against Tāirawhiti Māori Under-15s. The score ended 8-7 (to Sportsfit). Both of these teams have entered this year.

“However, they will also face tough competition from Tūranga Panthers Gold, Pirates Mahuika, Waikohu 4 and Campion College Snr A.”

The D Grade teams compete for the Dawn Gallagher shield in memory of a top representative player and New Zealand umpire, who died of meningitis.

“She was one of the driving forces behind the Poverty Bay umpires and during her reign, Gisborne had one of the strongest groups of national umpires per capita in New Zealand.

“Ngātapa was unbeaten and won this grade in 2024 with runners-up Pirates only losing to Ngātapa,” Beale said.

“Both of these teams have entered again, but Pioneer 2, Ūawa Social and XLR8 will be competitive.”

Games start at 9am in the A Grade and C Grade, followed by the B Grade and D Grade at 9.20am.

“Players, team management and spectators will be happy to see the start of netball and catch up with their netball whanau.”

The senior season proper starts with grading from May 2.