She said the netball aspect of the tourney would have been staged regardless but the sunny disposition enabled them to stage all the other related fun activities.
"It's more than the netball so we were worried we couldn't do all the other challenges."
Arlidge said they would have preferred more than 35 teams when the tourney started yesterday but the feedback was good and she anticipated a "bigger and better one" next year.
"It's just a great atmosphere with Netball New Zealand officials and everyone else buzzing, so it'll grow."
Fans were treated to a meet-and-greet with netball royalty of the retired pair of Silver Fern shooter Irene van Dyk and Diamonds counterpart Catherine Cox.
The red carpet was rolled out as the former rivals came to share the spirit of the game and mingle with fans.
"They walked down the red carpet and everyone just loved it, giving them a big welcome, especially Catherine who has come all the way from Australia," says Arlidge of the Whangarei-born player.
Cox said she was sold on coming when it was described as "a party with a side of netball".
Teams from Rotorua, Hawera, Wellington, the Manawatu and everywhere in between converged to participate socially in a tourney that concludes today with "more of the same" and a dinner party.
They had the option of engaging in "extras", such as team relays, 80s aerobic warmups and a mechanical bull, to loosen up those joints.
Arlidge thanked major sponsor Nimon as well as Edsports and Sileni Estates.
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule and his Napier counterpart, Bill Dalton, got behind the event, sending their endorsements.
Arlidge said she hoped the event would be back next year.
