YMP Whānau reign supreme at Gisborne’s Kathleen Henderson Memorial netball tournament

To the winners go the rewards. Holding the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Shield for A-Grade supremacy in the traditional Gisborne Netball Centre season-opening tournament are representatives of the champion YMP Whānau team, Te Arai Waihape-Matthews (left), Paku-Jane Skudder and Jayda Banks, with Fern Sutherland of the netball centre.

YMP Whānau retained the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Shield on Saturday at Victoria Domain with four wins and a draw from their five A Grade games.

Overcast weather cleared for the netball community to enjoy the first games of 2026 on the new courts.

The traditional season-opening tournament did not happen last year because of the court reconstruction project.

“The 23 teams who competed – players, management, umpires and supporters – were all happy to see the start of netball and turn their bodies and minds to the rigour of netball skills,” commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“There were some very competitive games, where most results were fairly close.

“In the A Grade, we saw a repeat of previous years’ results, with the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Shield won again by YMP Whānau. Horouta Gold were runners-up, winning three games and losing two.”

The B Grade was taken out by High School Old Girls, who won the Patsy Burke Memorial Shield for their efforts.

“They won four games and lost one,” Beale said.

“Whalis and YMP Wāhine completed the round robin on the same points in B Grade, with Whalis sneaking through to the runners-up spot on goal differential.”

The C Grade title went to Tūranga Panthers Gold, who were unbeaten en route to clinching the Elizabeth Crawford Memorial Shield.

“Tairāwhiti Under-15 Māori and Pirates Mahuika completed the round robin on the same points in that grade: three wins and two losses. Goal differential saw the Tairāwhiti U15s place runners-up.”

The D Grade honours went to XLR8, who were unbeaten in winning the Dawn Gallagher Shield, including a 6-5 defeat of runners-up Ngatapa Tyre General.

“Coaches will have found Saturday’s play helpful in deciding their work-ons and combinations before the competition season starts on May 2,” Beale said.

On its Facebook page, Gisborne Netball Centre gave “big thanks to all the teams, umpires and supporters who showed up for the Kathleen Henderson Tournament”.

“The courts were buzzing all day, and it was mean to see everyone out there doing their thing.

“Hope you all had a good day, whether you were playing, umpiring or backing your people on the sideline.”