Netball: Whangarei girls ready for hot contest

Whangarei's under-17 netball team will be hoping to rise to the occasion this week at the annual New Zealand Under-17 Age Group Championships.

Thirty-three teams from all five netball zones, including Whangarei, will be involved in a round-robin.

The format for the competition, which started yesterday, is simple and involves eight pools comprising four or five teams. The top two sides from each pool will progress to the top 16 play-offs.

The remaining teams will play off for 17th-33rd.

All play-offs, the semifinals and grand final are scheduled for Thursday. Whangarei's under-17s are in a pool with Eastern BOP, Howick Pakuranga and Papakura.

The tournament is always hotly contested and provides first-time school-age players the opportunity to come under the scrutiny of Netball New Zealand selectors. Netball Manawatu are the reigning under-17 champions.

The New Zealand under-19 championships were held last week in Wellington, with the Whangarei side finishing 15th out of 18. The team had wins over Howick Pakuranga, Nelson and Eastern BOP.

Whangarei under-17:

Katelyn Donovan (Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2), Anna Goodman (WGHS 1), Olivia Lobb (WGHS 1), Chloe Ludlow (KHS 1), Manaaki Peri (WGHS 1), Jade Rakich Tuhiwai (Huanui College), Aiyana Rush (Manawanui Red), Harono Te Iringa (Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2), Anna Worthington (Pizza Barn BBC/Waipu). Coach Trina Henare, manager Jessica McClintock Maihi.