Netball: Auckland snares Rowberry for NPC

Auckland-Waitakere have been boosted by the inclusion of Silver Ferns netball captain Anna Rowberry for this year's national provincial championships.

Rowberry has lived in Auckland for the last three years but has opted to play for Canterbury in the last two championships. However, a shakeup of the rules has meant players must be affiliated with a club in the province in which they represent.

Auckland-Waitakere coach Judy Weston said Rowberry would be a great asset.

"It is great to have her," Weston said.

"She is still recovering from the world champs at the moment but we hope to see her next Monday."

The Auckland-Waitakere side, named today, also includes former Silver Fern Victoria Edward who, with Rowberry, formed a powerful midcourt combination for the Diamonds in this year's national league.

Experienced shooters Moana Clark and Julie-Kelman Poto along with promising players Leigh Price, Rachel Rasmussen and Brigette Tapene also feature in the side.

The squad have just returned from a successful weekend in Australia where they played eight games against Sydney state teams and teams from the NSW and ACT Institutes -- winning them all.

Across the bridge, Netball North coach Yvonne Willering has also named an impressive squad which includes eight Force players.

A major gain for the side is shooter Tania Dalton who plays club netball for the Shore Rovers but chooses to play for the Southern Sting in the national league.

While the Harbour side are familiar, new Counties-Manukau coach Tabitha Beaumont has named an entirely different side from last year.

Long time players Mary-Jane Araroa, Verina Konui and Janine Topia are the most notable in the lineup.

The Waikato side finished third in last year's competition but should improve on that this year with the inclusion of Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk and Leana Du Plooy.

The week long tournament starts in Hamilton in September 21, however a series of preliminary games to establish the top-six and bottom-six in the first grade start on September 6.

In those preliminary games Canterbury, Counties-Manukau, Netball North and Tasman make up pool A, Southland, Otago, Auckland Waitakere and Western pool B and Waikato, Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Eastern pool C.

Teams:

Netball North: Daneka Wipiiti, Tania Dalton, Teresa Tairi, Angelina Yates, Temepara Clark, Moana Reweti, Kimberley Horton, Kate Dowling, Sheryl Clarke, Linda Vagana. Two to be included.

Auckland-Waitakere: Moana Clark, Rachel Rasmussen, Leigh Price, Vanessa Banbrook, Victoria Edward, Anna Rowberry, Ritua Petero, Krystal Opetaia, Juanita Nilsen, Julie Kelman- Poto, Brigette Tapene, Shelley Norris.

Counties-Manukau: Mary-Jane Araroa, Samatha Astwood, Ann-Marie Delamere, Maree Fouhy, Ruth Heihei, Verina Konui, Sarah Leaf, Vanessa Rota, Angella Smith, Janine Topia, Kelly Tangaroa, Lee Watson, Sharlene Wolfgramm.

Waikato: Jenny-May Coffin, Rachel Davis, Leana du Plooy, Joline Henry, Renee Jacobsen, Laura Langman, Amigene Metcalfe, Michelle Tupper, Tiana Tuuta, Irene van Dyk, Kuhurangi Waititi and Casey Williams.