Grand final fundraiser for netball revamp

AMPING IT UP: Bring it to Colombo event organisers Kate Jurlina (left) and Annelise Scott. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Netball Wairarapa's grand finals day will be teamed with a grand fundraising event that features a celebrity netball match, VIP tables, food stalls and Thames the police dog.

"Bring it to Colombo" will mark the end of the netball season and raise money to upgrade the Colombo Rd facilities, which are 32 years old and have "had no major upgrades" in that time.

Event organisers Kate Jurlina and Annelise Scott, who are heavily involved in the netball community, were inspired to "amp the finals up" by having a festival atmosphere.

"It's about bringing the netball community together and focusing on developing the facilities," they said.

The event will take place on September 12, with the finals for all grades played, for the first time, in one event instead of being split into two for seniors and juniors.

"It will be nice to be all together and the young players can look up at the older ones and be inspired," said Mrs Jurlina.

After all grades have played their final games, there will be prize-givings, which will be followed by the main event - a celebrity netball match.

Confirmed celebrities include Thames the police dog as mascot, with owner Constable Mike Wakefield, and retired netball legend, Irene van Dyk.

"She's really community focused and is always willing to help out with community netball fundraisers and projects," said Mrs Scott.

Silver Fern legend Sandra Edge will be hitting the court along with Wellington based Central Pulse players Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Elias Shadrock and Ameliaranne Wells.

Ex Hurricane's prop Bill Cavubati and former Phoenix football player Paul Ifill will also join the women on the courts.

There will be food stalls and music playing on a sound system throughout the day, with a possible performance by a music celebrity who is yet to be confirmed.

"We're trying to release the celebrity names in stages building up to the event," they said.

A limited number of VIP tables will be on sale from August 10. Corporate tables of 10, priced at $300 per table, include nibbles and refreshments during the celebrity game.

Bleacher stadium seats are up for $10 per person, or on the day you can turn up and watch the celebrity game from the concrete seats for just $2.

Money raised will go towards resurfacing the courts, improving the lighting, upgrading the clubhouse, with "the ultimate goal" of building a three-court indoor stadium on the Colombo Rd site.

The pair plan a Trade Me auction for the opportunity to play a quarter in the celebrity match.

-More information can be found on the Facebook page: facebook.combringittocolombo. For tickets contact jo@netballwairarapa.co.nz.