Mates face off in premier netball
Best friends off the court, opponents on it.
Tysons East goal keep Dominic Williams-Riding and New Plymouth Old Boys goal shoot Ariki Pullen were going head-to-head in week two of the Taranaki premier one netball competition.
It was also the first time in Netball Taranaki, and possibly New Zealand, history where two males were marking each other during a premier match.
Netball Taranaki has changed its rules to allow males to play premier netball until the age of 18, up from 16 last year.
But being 15, those regulations don’t worry the two, who are used to playing basketball together.
They said there were plenty of laughs during the four quarters.
‘‘We had a good chat during the game when the ball was at the other end, but other than that when it came down we were serious, we play hard,’’ WilliamsRiding said after Tysons’ 67-28 win on Thursday.
He said both were giving each other some banter.
‘‘If the pass was bad, I would say it was a bad pass and have a good laugh.’’
He admitted it was surreal playing in an otherwise femaledominated sport.
‘‘It is challenging because all the girls push you around but they make you understand the game. You learn all their footwork and stuff, and moving around the ball.’’
Pullen echoed the same comments and said it was an adjustment for him coming from basketball.
‘‘It is tough and physical. They [females] know the game a little bit more than me. It is a learning curve for me,’’ Pullen said. ‘‘I reckon it is good though. I have really enjoyed playing premier netball.’’
There has been growth in male participation across the grades in Taranaki netball and Pullen said it was a game for everyone.
‘‘Just give it a go. Everyone thinks it is girls’ sport but any gender can play.’’
Williams-Riding achieved bragging rights in the match but those rights will be on the line again come the second round when the mates mark each other again.