Defence to the fore as BOP name squad

Netball Bay of Plenty's top team has been confirmed with the defensive end shaping up to be a formidable force for next month's national championships.

Former Wales captain and Tauranga resident Ursula "Billy" Pritchard is alongside Silver Fern aspirant Jodi Tod, and New Zealand under-21 representatives Erena Mikaere and Elias Shadrock are also in the mix.

Pritchard, who captained the Welsh team at last year's World Netball Championships, will join forces with Rotorua-born Tod in the circle, however the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic player's selection is dependent on whether she's given a call-up to the Silver Ferns.

Giving the side a unique twist, the golds will be coached by former New Zealand men's player Andrew Trotter.

The team will play in a revamped national championship.

This year's format will see the first four rounds of top grade played in the regions on the weekends leading up to the Rotorua-hosted finals week. Twelve regional teams will compete in first grade and seven teams - including the Bay of Plenty Blue team expected to be confirmed later this week - in the second grade.

The top grade will be split into two divisions with Bay of Plenty in division two with Wellington, Canterbury, Eastern, Tasman and Counties-Manukau.

The New Zealand Under-21 team to represent New Zealand at the World Youth Championships next July will be named after the national championships. The under-21 team was successful in Miami, claiming gold at the 2005 World Youth Championships.

* NBOP Gold Team: Ursula Pritchard, Erena Mikaere, Ezra Tocker, Sharmaine Bunting, Melissa Ruru, Tanya Lund, Lee Bartlett, Emma McGeorge, Jodi Tod (depending on Silver Ferns selection), Laurelle Borck, Elias Shadrock, Arahi Wall. Coach: Andrew Trotter. Manager: Melody Wilson.

Bay of Plenty Gold event schedule

Round 1: Napier, September 6-7. BOP v Eastern, 11am August 7, Woodford House, Havelock North

Round 2: Blenheim, September 13-14. BOP v Tasman, 10.30am, August 14, Stadium 2000

Round 3: Counties-Manukau, September 20-21. BOP v Counties-Manukau, 11.30am August 21, Strathallan College, Papakura

Round 4: Christchurch, September 27-28. BOP v Canterbury, 10.30am August 28, Cowles Stadium, Christchurch

* Perry Foundation National Championships: Rotorua, September 29-October 4

Team entries: First Grade: Auckland Waitakere, North, Otago, Waikato, Western, Southland, Wellington, Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Eastern, Tasman, Counties Manukau. Second Grade: North, Waikato, Western, Canterbury, Wellington, Auckland Waitakere, Bay of Plenty.