Grace Manson with Pulse midcourter Claire Kersten during Grace's ANZ Future Captain outing. Photo / John Cowpland / Michael Bradley Photography
Palmerston North netballer Grace Manson, 9, got a taste of the action when she met her superstars of netball at the first game of the ANZ Premiership between the Pulse and Northern Stars last week at Fly Palmy Arena.
Grace, who is in Year 5 at Hokowhitu School, won the
chance to meet captains Gail Parata (Pulse) and Maia Wilson (Northern Stars) and led the teams on to the court as part of the ANZ Future Captains programme. Her best friend Madison Parsons, a Parkland School student, accompanied her.
Grace was surprised to see lots of obstructions despite netball being a non-contact sport, but was impressed by the agility of the players.
"Maddie Gordon went flying! There was lots of shoving," she said.
Grace was thrilled to meet the players, especially her favourite and fellow defender, Kelly Jury.
