SHOOTING STAR

Best in the business: Silver Ferns shooting ace Irene Van Dyk in action against Australia. South African-born Van Dyk, who played 145 internationals for New Zealand between 2000 and 2014, had a shooting accuracy rate of 91 percent and won New Sportswoman of the Year in 2003, is in Gisborne on Saturday for the Coast Connect Future Ferns Festival. Picture by Andrew Warner, Bay of Plenty Times

Silver Ferns great Irene Van Dyk will be in Gisborne on Saturday as part of the Coast Connect Future Ferns Festival at Victoria Domain.

Gisborne Netball Centre (GNC) game development officer Cristal Kemp said it was an opportunity for futureFERNS across Tairāwhiti to come together to play netball in a supportive and fun environment with their friends and whānau.

“We have special guest Irene van Dyk heading to Gisborne to join in the festivities and help us celebrate our futureFERNS.

“The season was a little shorter than usual for our years 1 to 6 so the centre wanted to put on a little something extra for them,” Kemp said.

“We are extremely grateful to Netball Waikato-Bay of Plenty Zone, who have enabled us to cover the travel costs of our rural and coastal whānau so no one misses out.

“You can register as a school team, a whānau team or as an individual.

“Simply head to the Gisborne Netball Centre website or contact me on 868-7234 to take part in this exciting day.”

Coast Connect will run from 11am to 1pm.

FutureFERNS netball is modified netball that caters to the needs and abilities of tamariki as they grow.

“Our years 1 and 2 players start with the four-against-four game in one-third of the court, then in years 3 and 4 they progress to five-against-five using half the court, before transitioning into the years 5 and 6 game, which is six-against-six on a full court,” Kemp said.

“GNC looks forward to showcasing the Netball NZ FutureFERNS programme and how it supports our tamariki to get more touches of the ball and feel success.

“We will have spot prizes and a sausage sizzle.”

The games will be followed by a Netball NZ Netball Leadership Awards presentation from 2pm to 3pm.

“Irene will be presenting our rangatahi with awards which acknowledge their commitment to upskilling and giving back to our netball community as netball activators, coaches and umpires.”

Fourteen local rangatahi have taken part in the leadership programme.

“They explore the meaning of leadership and the attributes and values they have as young leaders, as well as the ways in which they can overcome challenges and help make a difference in the community,” Kemp said.

“They are then provided opportunities that help prepare them to be actively involved as leaders in our netball community in their chosen area.

“On Saturday we will be celebrating the completion of various awards among some of our participants.

“Others are still at various stages of the leaders programme and GNC looks forward to continuing to support them on their leadership journey in 2023.

“It's absolutely fantastic to have rangatahi showing enthusiasm for the game and a willingness to develop themselves as leaders.

“Their support to our events, competitions and leagues is received with much gratitude and it's super-exciting to see their confidence and skills grow.”

• Young people interested in the programme can contact GNC for information.