Netball: Helping dreams come true

T-Rhoad Gemz compete in the Bay of Islands junior competition on Saturday morning. From left, Nicole Moon, Waiaroha Harris-Stowers, Taya-Laure Kake-Munroe,Brie Pratt, Jordashay Erueti, Lexus Huriwaka, Te Whetu Poinga and Serenity Paewhenua.

ANZ is again calling for entries in their Dream Delivery programme to help Northland netball players achieve their dreams this season.

Whether it's new high performance gear to drive improvement, training and tips from some of the best in the sport or inspirational visits from their netball heroes, the programme was there to help, noted spokeswoman Sue McGregor.

She invited Northland players and teams of all levels from schools, netball centres and social teams to come forward and apply for support as part of the ANZ Dream Delivery programme.

"We are proud to support netball at all levels from grassroots right up to the Silver Ferns.

We know sometimes all you need is just that little bit of extra help to achieve your dreams, so we are committed to helping as many netball fans as we can," she said, adding the main aim of the programme was to inspire players from every generation to go further and help ensure locals had great access to team sports.

"With everything from new gear, uniforms and coaching support through to hoops and courts or even a training session with the ANZ Premiership stars, the programme can help Northland netball fans passionate about the game to achieve their goal."

Two recent deliveries served to show just what ANZ's Dream Delivery programme was all about and were a taste of what is to come this season, said McGregor. Earlier this month, a dream came true for a lucky group of 150 high school netball players who were surprised with a training session led by seven high-profile stars of the ANZ Premiership.

The students put taken through an intense training session to help show them what it takes to build their fitness ahead of the start of this year's netball season.

Also recently, an injured 11-year-old had the chance to share the court with the Southern Steel during their first game as the team's mini-manager. The girl, Gracie, ran onto the court with the team wearing her own personalised kit as well as being allowed to join the post-match cool down, team debrief and dinner.

Northland netball clubs, teams, players and fans can tell ANZ what they need to achieve their dreams online at www.anz.co.nz/dreambig