Stars help net $10k for netball courts

TOP DAY: Paul Ifill, a former Phoenix football player, looks for his team as police dog handler Mike Wakefield moves to block. Rapper K.One (Kaleb Vitale) is in the background. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

Saturday's Bring It To Colombo celebrity netball match in Masterton raised more than $10,000 towards the refurbishment of the Colombo Rd netball courts.

The match included the netball skills of TV3's The Bachelor Art Green, Silver Ferns legends Irene van Dyk and Sandra Edge, Wairarapa United coach Paul Ifill and kickboxer Zane Hopman.

It played out to a tight 18-17 match between teams I Love Masterton and winners MyMasterton.

Organiser Kate Jurlina said she had only one word for the afternoon: phenomenal.

"It's the first word that comes to mind, it was so well supported, the celebrities were amazing."

Players who stood out for Mrs Jurlina were Hopman and Green, and baker Mike Kloeg.

"And Sandra Edge, she's been retired for a while, but she's still got it.

"She said to me: no, I haven't, but that amazing interception ... "

Another memorable moment was Irene van Dyk playing one-handed, with a boxing glove on the other hand to note her upcoming celebrity boxing match.

Mrs Jurlina said if they had known Green had his own celebrity boxing match coming up, against former All Black Zac Guildford, they might have donned one on him. "We were told, you might get five celebrities.

"To get two full teams was amazing."

She said the feedback from the celebrities was Colombo's invitation, a "call-out" interactive video, was a big persuader.

"There will be another fundraiser, but not for another six months, we need to catch our breaths."

The Wairarapa Times-Age and More FM were among major sponsors of the tournament.