Fun-filled Future Ferns netball festival comes to Rotorua

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic player Sam Sinclair will be helping out at the ANZ Future Ferns Festival in Rotorua on Sunday. Photo / File

Youngsters will have the opportunity for a taste of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Future Ferns programme during a festival in Rotorua.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Zone netball development officer Maylene Meroiti said the event on Sunday was open to any children from Year 1 to 6 in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty zone.

"It's a chance for our young people to see what this new Future Ferns programme is.

"It's a modified version of netball skills and activities to suit each age group. They all get to touch the ball, have fun, develop skills like jumping, landing and passing, but in fun activities rather than the old drills," Meroiti said.

Children will spend time at different activity stations before taking part in a game, during which they get the chance to put what they have learnt into practice.

"It's all about showcasing netball and anyone can come, boys as well, and they might decide they want to play it."

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic player Sam Sinclair, formerly of Rotorua, will also be in attendance, Meroiti said.

"She'll be helping out throughout the day. Sam is great, she's full of fun, full of flair, she knows games off the top of her head and she's really good with the littlies right up to the older kids.

"The kids know who she is and it's great for her to give back to the community as well."

Meroiti said the Future Ferns programme, which ran weekly in the area, was making a noticeable difference to the development of young players.

"Our Rotorua ANZ Future Ferns co-ordinator Jacinta Church has been running the programme during the last few years and is doing an excellent job.

"Because the game is modified to suit their age and growing stage they get more hands on ball, they're more involved and they get to learn their skills.

"For example, in Year 1 and 2 they can go anywhere on the court, they all get a shot at the goal, which for that age is a hula hoop.

"Everything is made easier so they are more successful when they're playing the game rather than feeling like 'oh I'm not getting the ball, the ball's always up that end'.

"It's been really successful, it's an excellent programme that New Zealand Netball have developed."

ANZ Future Ferns Festival
Where: Rotorua's Energy Events Centre
When: Sunday
Year 1 and 2 children 10am-11am
Year 3 and 4 children 11.15am-12.15pm
Year 5 and 6 children 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
Cost: $5 per child
Register: www.sporty.co.nz/rotoruanetball.