Social tourney sets scene for netballers

Shante Puketapu, of Waikite Social, said the Kurangaituku tournament was lots of fun to be part of. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua's Kurangaituku Netball Tournament was so much fun, one netballer likened it to a weekend away without the travel.

The first weekend of three wrapped up on Saturday with 180 teams across four social grades.

The tournament, which was held at Netball Rotorua's Westbrook courts on Friday and Saturday, is in its 82nd year.

"It's an awesome weekend," said Shante Puketapu, who played for Waikite Social in E Grade.

"You get to know others from out of town. It's like a weekend away without going anywhere.

"We're lucky because we live here."

Miss Puketapu just hopes she recovers in time for this Friday when she takes to the courts again with Waikite Gold in the Premier tournament C Grade competition.

The Waikite Social team played in the E Grade. Out of nine games they won three and in the final match took turns to play in different positions.

"We were having a lot of fun," she said.

Netball Rotorua secretary Mary Thompson said it was a great weekend, especially with the weather playing ball.

"We had lots of smiling faces," Mrs Thompson said.

"There were some pretty tired bodies afterwards but a good crowd at prizegiving."

They are now all set for next weekend. Matches start at 8.30am and this time matches will be 12 minutes each way, instead of nine minutes each way.

The social grade winners were: C: Southern Souls (Manurewa); D Grade: Forestland Falcons (Tokoroa); E Grade: Stormer Ladies (Te Atatu); F Grade: Blitz (Rotorua); Uniforms: Porirua Panthers (Porirua); Sportsmanship: Tak-a-lak (Murupara).