Netball: Bay eye better 17s ranking

Members of the Hawke's Bay under-17 netball side which will compete at their Mount Maunganui-hosted nationals from July 13-16.

Improving Hawke's Bay's national ranking of 23 will be the aim of the HBS Bank Hawke's Bay under-17 netball team at their July 13-16 nationals in Mount Maunganui.

Coaches Lee-Anne Taylor and Kane Makea have been impressed with the improvement displayed during build-up tournaments.

"This is an exciting group of netballers and we are lucky to have 10 strong players who each contribute on and off the court," Makea said.

Hawke's Bay will be one of 38 teams at their nationals. In pool play they will meet fourth ranked Wellington, 14th placed Harbourside, 32nd placed Pukekohe and Whangarei.

The Bay will also be represented at the national under-19 tournament in Waitakere from Monday until Thursday.

Hawke's Bay's Rhiarna Ferris will play for Central Zone at the national under-23 tournament at the same time.

Hawke's Bay's under-15 and under-15 development teams will play in the North Island championships in Taranaki from Sunday until Tuesday and the Bay will also be represented at a Year 8 tournament in Palmerston North.

The Bay under-17 squad is: Simone Bibby (captain), Tiara Crichton, Nikki Livingston, Emily McLaren, Chanay Peri, Jade Poi, Verona Siafega Sio, Briana Stephenson (vice captain), Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey, Emma Vennell.