Kaierau up for Super challenge

Kaierau A1 will launch an attack in elite company when the Super League Netball competition kicks off in the River City this weekend.

The team is one of six competing in the annual competition which starts on Sunday.

As champions of last year's Premier One competition in Wanganui, the team was invited to participate in this elite competition, following in the footsteps of the Wanganui High School team who competed in 2012.

The other teams joining the competition are Tu Toa and Massey A1 from Manawatu, Raukura and Inglewood URFC from Taranaki and the Horowhenua Allstars. This competition sees the top teams from each centre's 2012 premier league facing each other in an intercentre, interclub tournament with games over two weekends in Wanganui and Hawera. The TSB Hub will host the final round on March 23 and 24 in Hawera.

``This Super League competition is one which works well in other regions, both nationally and internationally,'' said Netball Wanganui development officer Lisa Murphy.

The Kaierau A1 side is excited to step up to this next level in netball, with skipper Rachael Lynch positive about the opportunity.

``This tournament is a valuable opportunity for our players, with the potential to take the next step in netball. We have a few new faces in our side for the 2013 season, and I am excited to see how we gel and perform as a team before taking on the Wanganui Premier competition,'' Lynch said yesterday.

Coach Marie Kinloch is anticipating some strong competition, which will be great to test their talent against the wider netball zone.

``We look forward to gauging our abilities among other top premier netball teams in the Western zone,'' Kinloch said.

The Super League battle kicks off this Sunday at Springvale Stadium, with Wanganui taking on Taranaki's Raukura at 11am on court one.

Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau A1: Marie Kinloch (coach), Rebecca Mathews, Suzanne Guilford, Clare Lynch, Melissa Crothers, Kristen Ashworth, Kate Hutchings, Blanche Cloete, Kylie Stewart, Kendal Prett, Rachael Lynch (captain), Amy Archer.