New Collegiate courts open

Collegiate netballers Mako Osborne, left, Anna Gower-James, He-Mari Simon and Brylee Lott test out the new facilities.

The challenge was laid down by Wanganui Collegiate's netball girls for the girl to give them a better all-weather surface to train on and that wish was granted yesterday with the official opening of the renovated courts.

The three netball and three tennis courts now have a "rubber-ised" surface that is much less slippery in wet weather.

Collegiate headmaster Chris Moller said in line with the upcoming 25th anniversary of Collegiate admitting female students, it was good to get the work done to give their teams a better environment.

The work cost around $160,000 after the original surface was lifted to lay asphalt, before the new hard court was laid down.

Taking part in the official ribbon cutting was Old Girl number 10932 - the 91-game Silver Ferns veteran Joline Henry.

A member of Godwin House from 1999-2000, Joline captained the Collegiate A team to qualify for the nationals, finishing sixth overall.

She then went on to an excellent international career and was a stalwart of the ANZ Championship for several teams.

Henry acknowledged the school's reputation and said she was still proud of her association, as she officially opened the courts for the current generation of players.

"I hope it brings as much challenge and as much opportunity as it did me."