“Numbers look good with 44 senior teams (six more than last year), 22 secondary, 30 intermediate and 29 Year 5 and 6 teams involved,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.
“Because of the increase in the number of senior teams, the Gisborne Netball Centre board has reinstated the 1st reserve grade.
With last year’s premier grade champions High School Old Girls not entering a team in the top grade this year, there will be an even number of sides for Saturday’s grading.
Those teams are Turanga FM YMP, Claydens Waikohu 1, Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A, Horouta Gold, Whāngārā Old Girls and Old Girls Whāngārā.
All six teams are involved in shortened (10-minute halves) games at 11am. OG Whāngārā play GGHS Snr A, Whāngārā Old Girls play Horouta Gold and YMP play Waikohu 1.
They are back in action at 11.28. OG Whāngārā play Waikohu, Whāngārā OG play GGHS Snr A and YMP play Horouta Gold.
Whāngārā OG and Waikohu have been boosted by players from HSOG’s 2025 title-winning prems squad.
“It is always hard to make predictions early in the season, but I am sure eyes will be on Turanga FM YMP and Horouta Gold, who were first and second in the Kathleen Henderson pre-season tournament,” Beale said.
“However, all teams in premier grade will be determined to start their season on a high.
“This time last year the courts were still being constructed, so it is exciting to start this year on our lovely courts.
“It is always interesting to see the start of netball and the make-up of teams in all grades – players who have remained with their team, players who have returned after a break, players who have moved teams, new players to the district.
“It all adds to the interesting, competitive nature of netball.”
After the two rounds of grading, Gisborne Netball Centre will decide on the final composition of all grades.
Victoria Domain will be busy from 9am to 3pm.
