Two young netball fans were at the heart of the thrilling on-court action, flying the flags of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and the Adelaide Thunderbirds, in a game that saw the Magic triumph in a nail-bitingly close 49-48 victory.
It was a sell-out for the must win game
for the Magic.
Fidah Ali, 10, and Lucy Sidwell, 8, who both won the opportunity in the ANZ Future Captains competition, met Laura Langman and Sharni Layton, before joining the two teams on court at Claudelands Arena for the televised opening of the game.
Hamilton West Primary School student, Fidah Ali, was over the moon and couldn't believe she had won a chance to meet her favourite players.
"I was so excited when Mum told me I'd won. I'm a huge Magic fan but it was the first time I'd been to one of their games. One of the best parts was meeting Irene Van Dyk, she was so nice. The whole night was awesome."
