Junior netball

The Southern Steel vis MIS. Photo courtesy Cory Coburn.

The Wairarapa junior netball competition has seen a greatly reduced entry from our southern areas this year. Out of a potential 9 teams made up from children across five Southern Wairarapa schools, the final figures saw only enough to tip the scales at a meagre four.

The reduction in numbers was largely attributed to a change in location and scheduling, which meant last years Saturday morning timeslot was ditched in favour of weekday games up at the Colombo Courts in Masterton. 

These changes sadly meant that a lot of rural families were unable to physically make it in time for the games. 

Those that were able to play were spread across 4 teams: A year 3-4 team (Southern Swans) who play on Monday night and three year 5-8 teams; The Steel, Sting and Storm, who play on Tuesday nights.

Following two weeks of grading games, which consisted of playing in a shorter format twice each night, Southern Steel and Southern Sting have landed in grade 2 and Southern Storm in grade 4. The youngest of our teams of course not in graded competition. 

Whilst the change in scheduling has introduced new challenges to the teams; playing in arguably colder conditions with reduced visibility whilst shooting into bright floodlights, all the teams have adapted well to the changes. 

Of note is the Southern Steel who are again proving to be the team to be reckoned with, convincingly winning all grading matches and the two round-robin games thus far.

We may be less in number this year, but we aren’t lacking for spirit. The teams are putting their all into each game, gaining skill and confidence as they go. We look forward to what the rest of the season has to offer.