One of the largest netball tournaments for the under 14 and 16 age groups in the country will be held at New Plymouth’s Waiwhakaiho Courts starting on Sunday.

The three-day EnviroWaste North Island Junior Netball Championships has attracted 71 teams, an increase from 62 on last year. Finals will be held on Tuesday.

The event started in the early 2000s. At the time, it was an U15 regional tournament, but it has grown since. Now, it’s the largest event run by Netball Taranaki, which will see 3,000 people, including 852 players, flock to the region.

Netball Taranaki games administrator Pia Bailey-Nowell said the tournament becomes more popular year-by-year and typically held in the first week of the school holidays.

“We have really good facilities with everything so close and accessible and that’s probably one of the reasons why it’s so popular,” she said.

“We thought last year was big after coming back from Covid, but we’re looking forward to welcoming our teams from around the North Island.”

Bailey-Nowell said not only will the numbers celebrate netball, but also add to the local economy.

Teams have come as far as Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Wellington.

Grades include U16 A, B and C grades, an U16 mixed section, which was introduced for the first-time last year, and U14 A and B divisions.

Each team will also bring a suitably qualified umpire exposing them to a tournament environment with opportunities to develop.

Waitakere U16 won the tournament last year.

Draws are available on the Netball Taranaki website. Parents, supporters, coaches and managers are encouraged to download the Netball Taranaki mobile phone app to receive immediate tournament updates.

Article added: Friday 08 July 2022