Men's Netball: Canterbury go all-out for 19th title

QUICK BALL: RotoVegas men's netball player Poutewha Royal in action at the Energy Events Centre this week. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 120914BF10

Canterbury are chasing their 19th consecutive title at the National Men's Netball competition in Rotorua today.

The Canterbury men's netball team have been the dominant force in men's netball for the past couple of decades.

The National Men's Netball competition began in Rotorua 30 years ago and organisers decided to bring it back for the anniversary event this year.

This year has seen a record number of teams enter the competition at the Energy Events Centre, including 21 teams in the open section and four teams in the U23 section.

The competition got under way on Wednesday with the finals being played today.

Rotorua has its own team, RotoVegas, who missed out on making the A grade top four.

The top four sides in the semifinals today include Canterbury A, Canterbury Masters, North Harbour Black and Wellington North Gold.

The semfinals get under way at 9.45am with the final at 3.30pm.

RotoVegas manager Lee Browne said it was a big deal to have the event here in Rotorua.

She said the RotoVegas team were mainly made up of players from the Monday night netball league played at Rotorua Girls' High School. She said most of them had never played at the nationals before but were enjoying themselves.

"Quite a few of our ones are new to it. Only four of them have played at the nationals before."

New Zealand Men's and Mixed Netball Association events co-ordinator Kora Piwi Pene said about 300 players and management were at the tournament.

Pene said this was their biggest event to date.

"I think it's just the anniversary has brought a lot of people back. People who have been there through the years, and who have taken a back seat, are back on board again just to take part in this event."

He said it would be tough to get past the Canterbury A team today who are looking to keep their record going.

Two teams from Australia also competed this week. Rotorua has won the tournament twice in the past (1992 and 1993).