The Wanganui High School girls' A1 netball team takes a step in grade this weekend when it tackles the best in the Western region in the new Super League competition in Palmerston North.
The team earned its right to compete in the new pre-season league after winning the Wanganui premiership last season.
Teams from Horowhenua, Manawatu, Taranaki have also earned their place in the inter-centre, inter-club competition after winning their respective 2011 premier league competitions.
Wanganui High School coach and Netball Wanganui game development officer, Lisa Murphy said the concept was one that worked well in other regions both nationally and internationally.
"A similar event existed many years ago under a different guise, and veterans of that programme are keen to see the return of a tournament which will test the elite teams outside of their own domains," Murphy said.
"A bonus for the region is the collaborative relationship that has emerged between the netball centres.
"The tournament is owned and managed by the centres independently, with Western Netball in support."
The tournament is seen as a valuable development opportunity for young players with the potential to take the next step. Western selectors will be using the games to observe players in anticipation of Talent Development selections. Coaches now have a chance to see players in action well before representative trials, and senior players will welcome the games as a good warm-up to the upcoming season.
The tournament also provides good experience for new managers, and umpires will gain valuable court time in their pre-season preparations.
This year's event will be a trial and, if successful, the organisers hope to make it an annual feature.
Competing teams are: The Assassins (Horowhenua) Feilding A1 (Manawatu), Inglewood (Taranaki), New Plymouth Old Boys (Taranaki), Tu Toa (Manawatu), Wanganui High School A1 (Wanganui).
The Wanganui High School girls will tackle Inglewood first this weekend at Arena Manawatu and Feilding A1 in Wanganui on March 25. In the last round on April 1, High School will take on Tu Toa in Hawera.
Tu Toa is a sport academy secondary school in Manawatu and the only team other than High School to feature secondary school students. "Our team ranges in age from 14 to 17 with many of them rep players in under-15 and under-17 competitions, so they have experience at higher levels. It is a step up, but I don't think they will be overawed by the new Super League," Murphy said.
"Wanganui is very much a breeding ground, feeding the top teams in the country right through to the Silver Ferns.
"This new competition can only help develop their skills and provide an ideal pre-season warm-up to the Wanganui premiership that begins on April 21."