Taranaki premier netballers are in for a shorter-sharper season when the competition starts on Thursday and Friday night.

The premier one, two and three competitions have been shaved by a quarter meaning the finals will be held two months earlier.

Netball Taranaki games administrator Pia Bailey-Nowell said the organisation received feedback from premier clubs and schools wanting a shorter season and adjusted competitions to suit.

“It was decided not to go ahead with the grading round, typically held at the start of the season. We decided to proceed just with the two-rounds.

“We appreciate the feedback from the clubs and really enjoyed discussing how the competition will look this year,” she said.

It means the season has been cut down to 12-weeks from 16-weeks. Instead of the grading period, the winners of last year’s premier two and three will be promoted into the higher grade.

Finals will be held on Saturday, June 11 at the TSB Stadium with the semi-finals the week before.

Premier one and three will be played on Thursday nights and premier two on Friday evenings, like in previous years. Netball Taranaki will be using indoor courts in New Plymouth, Waitara, Stratford, Hawera and Opunake.  

Bailey-Nowell said it would be nice to see all teams play on the same night but logistically it’s not possible.  

“With the shortage of indoor court space in the region, we have to utilise the facilities around the province on different nights. This does provide plenty of viewing opportunities for our Taranaki community to support their teams.”

With gathering limits increased to 200 people indoors, Netball Taranaki will monitor the numbers entering the venues. Bailey Nowell doesn’t think there should be an issue with the increased capacity limits.

LTR Tysons Nga Manu Toa are the seven-time premier one defending champions. The squad looks relatively settled with experienced players Amber Ormond, who was the player of the match in last year’s final, Jessica Tuki and captain Tiaan Taylor returning.

Runners-up Inglewood United Rugby Football Club also have their top players returning. Sam Burkhart has moved from coaching into the playing squad with Erika Maifea taking over the reins. Inglewood will feature a second team in the premier one competition.

New Plymouth Old Boys, Stratford/Eltham Rugby and Sports Club and Raukura are the other competitors.

Defending champions of premier three, The Locals, move into premier two with Tyson’s Nga Manu Korimako, Tukapa, Sacred Heart Girls’ College and two Naumai teams.

And premier three sees Hawera High School, Tukapa, Bell Block Marist Dragons, Stratford/Eltham, New Plymouth Girls’ High School and Inglewood compete.

Satellite netball also starts on Saturday.

Full draws and results can be found on the Netball Taranaki website.

Taranaki premier netball first round

Premier 1, April 7

Inglewood PS v Raukura, TSB Stadium, 6:30pm

NPOB v Tysons Nga Manu Toa, TSB Stadium, 6:30pm

Stratford/Eltham v Inglewood CRA, TET Stadium, 8pm

Premier 2, April 8

Tukapa v Sacred Heart, TSB Hub, 6:30pm

Tysons Nga Manu Korimako v Naumai 1, TSB Hub, 6:30pm

Naumai 1 v The Locals, TSB Hub, 8pm

Premier 3, April 7

Stratford/Eltham v Hawera High School, TET Stadium, 6:30pm

NPGHS v Bell Block Marist Dragons, TSB Stadium, 8pm

Tukapa v Inglewood, TSB Stadium, 8pm

Article added: Tuesday 05 April 2022