Kathleen Henderson shield goes on the line

COURTS IN SESSION: Horouta Gold goal defence Paare Ahuriri-Leach prepares to send the ball upcourt as Whangara Old Girls goal attack Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea closes in in senior netball action from last season. The traditional season-opening Kathleen Henderson Memorial tournament is being held on Saturday. Gisborne Herald file picture

A trophy that holds a special place in the history of netball in this district goes on the line at Victoria Domain tomorrow when the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Tournament opens the season.

Netballers in 26 teams will compete across four grades in the Sutherland Automotive-sponsored event.

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

“In this pre-season tournament, where the games comprise two eight-minute halves, the coaches and players have a great opportunity to test combinations before the start of the season’s competition — scheduled for April 30.”

In the A Grade, teams will play for the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Shield, which was donated by the Henderson family in 1942 in memory of their daughter.

“Kathleen Henderson was a Gisborne High School and Poverty Bay representative player who died at the age of 17,” Beale said.

Last year the A Grade winners were YMP Whanau, with Whangara Old Girls the runners-up.

“YMP Whanau, who won all of their games in last year’s tournament, are back this year to defend their title,” Beale said. “They have held it since 2019.

“Whangara Old Girls have not entered this year but Horouta Gold, Claydens Waikohu (1), Claydens Waikohu (3), Farmlands Ngatapa and Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A are capable challengers.”

Beale said the B Grade division teams would compete for the Patsy Burke Memorial Shield, a trophy in memory of a Poverty Bay representative who died when a ferry she was on sank

at Tauranga.

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

Last year HSOG won that trophy, and Horouta Taimana were runners-up.

“HSOG won all of their games last year and have returned to defend their title,” Beale said.

“Horouta Taimana have not entered this year but Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa, Claydens Waikohu (2), YMP (2), Pharmacy 53 Campion/Nga Uri a Maui, YMP Hinetaiohi and GGHS Snr B will be determined to challenge for this grade.”

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

“Elizabeth was a founding member of the Grey Wing club and a player who competed at top level before she passed away,” Beale said.

The 2021 winners were Claydens Waikohu (2), and Campion Snr A were runners-up.

“The way is open for a new C Grade champion as both of those teams have entered in the B Grade this year,” Beale said.

“We are expecting close competition from Gisborne Glass Ngatapa, Tatapouri Sportsfit, Enterprise Cars OBM Blue, GGHS Jnr A, Ferkins Farming HSOG, Claydens Waikohu (4) and Uawa Ngarangikahiwa.

The D Grade teams will compete for the Dawn Gallagher Shield, which is in memory of a top representative player and top New Zealand umpire.

“Dawn was one of the driving forces behind the Poverty Bay Umpires,” Beale said.

“During her reign, Gisborne had one of the strongest groups of national umpires per capita in New Zealand.”

Last year GGHS Jnr A won the shield, and Ngatapa White were runners-up.

“This year neither of those teams have entered this grade, so we will have a new D Grade champion,” Beale said.

“Competition for this grade will be tight, with GGHS Y9A, Thistle Storm, Thistle Phoenix, Horouta Hiriwa, Uawa Nui and XLR8 all contenders.”

Games tomorrow start at 9am for the A and C grades, and 9.20am for the B and D grades.

The grades alternate every 20 minutes, with the final games at 1.20pm.

Prize-giving will take place around 1.45pm.