NETBALL
RELIEF — that’s the feeling in the netball fraternity after it was confirmed they could hold their premier semifinals and grand final at the YMCA this week.
But the games will be for the players and a limited number of support personnel only. No fans will be allowed at either the YMCA or Victoria Domain courts, due to Level 2 gathering limits.
However, fans will be able to watch the premier games on the Gisborne Netball Centre (GNC) Facebook page, where they will be live-streamed.
“It’s a relief to know we are able to play out the remainder of our season,” Gisborne Netball Centre manager Allisa Hall said.
“We are thankful to the YMCA for working with us to create a plan that will fit their requirements as a venue, and our game organisation.”
Netball officials knew that fans would be disappointed that no spectators would be allowed at either the YMCA or at the GNC courts, Hall said.
However, the restrictions were needed in order for the limits on gathering numbers to be met.
Teams could name up to four non-playing officials who could be with the team at their match.
Teams would have prefilled contact-tracing forms to check off on arrival, so she asked that team representatives get in touch with her to list their four team officials.
The preliminary final games would be played at the YMCA tomorrow night.
“Teams will have to enter by way of the stadium doors facing the rear carpark,” Hall said.
Teams in the 6pm game would need to leave the stadium before those for the second match were allowed in, she said.
To help make that work, the start of the second game had been put back to 7.45pm.
If extra time was needed in the first fixture and entry was delayed for the teams in the following game, officials would be flexible with the start time to ensure both teams had ample time to warm up.
At 6pm tomorrow, YMP Sunshine Brewery play Whangara Old Girls. At 7.45pm, F45 High School Old Girls play Claydens Waikohu (1). The winners go through to the grand final at the YMCA on Saturday.
The games will be previewed in The Herald tomorrow.
The senior finals will be played on Saturday at Victoria Domain and the draw will be in tomorrow’s paper.
Each round would be followed by prizegiving for that game, as those players would have to leave the courts to allow in the teams for the next final.
“We will be in touch with teams to confirm details around entry, sign-in and team lists,” Hall said.
“It’s exciting to have some finalised dates and be able to get our season completed.”