Netball:Future Ferns Festival develops youngsters' skills

One of the Frankton School teams which played in the Future Ferns Festival on Sunday. Photo / Judy Macdonald

The Mother Earth Future Ferns Festival was held at the Trust Waikato Hamilton City Netball Centre (TWHCNC) on Sunday.

Teams from Years 3 to 6 were able to enter the tournament which was aimed at developing skills.

Sixteen teams entered the Year 6 grade making up four pools each with four teams. Twelve teams entered the Year 5 grade making up three pools each with four teams.

Years 3 and Years 4 were in a combined grade and there was 16 teams again making up four pools each with four teams.

Every team got to play three mini-games of two eight-minute halves.

The focus of the Future Ferns programme is on skill development so there were no finals.

There was a Netball Smart warm-up before the first game and use of the Future Ferns Skills book was encouraged throughout the day with demonstrations by volunteers.

There was a great number of spectators and a large number of parents, some of whom got involved in the warm-up, skill development and even making up opposition teams.

There was a lot of fun and laughter and quite an array of brightly coloured uniforms.

Participation certificates were awarded to all players and there were also spot prizes.

The young volunteers helping with the day did an amazing job as did the employees and volunteers from the netball centre.

Overall a very successful day.