Netball: North Harbour men net national title

The National Men's Netball competition came to a close on Saturday. Pictured is RotoVegas player Poutewha Royal (with ball). Photo / Ben Fraser

Canterbury's stranglehold on men's netball in New Zealand has finally been broken after North Harbour won the national title in Rotorua.

Canterbury were on the hunt for their 19th consecutive national title on Saturday at the Energy Events Centre.

They played North Harbour in the A grade final at the National Men's Netball competition, with Harbour coming out on top 51-36.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the National Men's Netball competition which started in Rotorua in 1984.

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

He said teams were already looking forward to next year's event after a successful tournament in Rotorua.

"Everyone really enjoyed it. We are already getting teams signing up for next year." Next year's event will be held in Wellington in September.

He said North Harbour came out firing in the final on Saturday to beat Canterbury.

A local side, RotoVegas, entered the tournament this year and competed well but missed out on the A grade semifinals.