Strong wins first up at Hutt tourney

The Year 7 and 8 teams had an amazing start to their season last Saturday, June 5, when they attended the McDonalds Hutt Valley tournament in Lower Hutt.

Both teams went through the day unbeaten and both teams played nailbiting finals to win their grades. Each player got presented with a netball, a medal and a certificate for their efforts.

It is a great start to the winter season.

We started off on May 8 with some grading games to ensure our A Grade teams are as even as possible. For A Grade, we went back to mixed-school teams with the hope of having a stronger, more even competition where players get to work with other children and help prepare them for secondary school netball.

At the end of last year I got funding

from Monty Fairbrother Trust to kit out these seven A Grade teams in nice new uniforms. Stitch Me then sponsored a gear bag and ball for each team.

We have had Irene van Dyk down twice already this season. First time was to work with our 5 and 6-yearolds and their coaches, as well as our B Grade players and coaches.

The second time was for our Year 7/8 players and coaches.

Also this year, we are excited to have four representative teams attending various tournaments for Dannevirke.

We have a Year7, a Year 8, an Under-16s and an invitational Under18 side.

First tournament for our Year7 and

8 teams was Queen's birthday, with the Under-16 and 18s the weekend after.

Senior netball (Tuesday nights) is also under way and looking strong, with 11 teams in our local competition.

Outsized by their opponents the Dannevirke Year 7 team (left) still won. Irene van Dyk with St Joseph’s player, Ruby O'Brien passing/ catching with her during a skills session.

The victorious Dannevirke Year 7 and Year 8 Junior Netball Reps at Hutt Valley, Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

Five of the seven new sets of uniforms are modelled by these happy players.

Great defence kept the Year 8 team in front.

Junior players playing five-on-five.