Point look early season favourites
It could be the year of the country netball teams in 2017 with Pleasant Point and Mackenzie looking strong.
Players have moved clubs, new players have transferred to the region and the competition is set to be tight.
Pleasant Point look the early season favourites having assembled a strong squad, while Mackenzie and Old Boys should also be right in the mix.
Harlequins have a settled squad, while Pareora, Timaru Girls’ High, Craighead Diocesan and Geraldine High School should make the competition relatively even.
Roncalli are missing from last season, with the cellar dwellars forced to play in the premier plate competition, with hope of gaining promotion after the first round.
Defending champions Old Boys are missing a host of names from last season but will still field a formidable lineup.
‘‘We have some new names but it’ll be a god challenge,’’ Old Boys coach Jadie McDonald said.
She said it was disappointing players had moved to new clubs but there was plenty of excitement around the new squad.
‘‘We’re looking forward to getting out there and having a go.’’
A couple of names worth keeping an eye on from Old Boys are Rowan Wheeler, who always leads from the front, Kate Shaw who is returning to the club and new recruit Cecelia Wacokecoke, who will add plenty to the shooting circle.
Pleasant Point have assembled a strong squad and coach Andrea Stratford feels it’s their time to shine.
‘‘We want to do better than we did last season.
‘‘This year we want to win the competition, that’s our focus.’’
Stratford said they recruited well.
‘‘We have a very enthusiastic, fun and energetic team who are all keen to step up and contest for the 2017 title. had
Cindy Robertson (c), Eve Anderson, Abby McIlroy, Codi Lilley, Nicole Lang, Charlotte King, Stacey Grant, Rachel Callaghan, Aliesha Chitty, Vanessa Greenwood, Kelly Cassie, Juliet Scott.
Erin Bates (c), Hannah How, Jess Golding, Tash Boa, Genae Manson, Ellen Davey, Kim Andrews, Lucy Stephens, Bridget Tiffen.
Jess Hewitson (c), Katrina Hill, Helen Quirke, Katelyn Millar, Erica Phillips, Hollie McLachlan, Nicole McNicol, Kylee Little.
Cheynese King, Sunny Hurtig, Ella Broomhall, Abbey Clarke, Marnie Edwards, Jade Horton, Sally Laurenson, Amber Henderson, Alanah Ward.
Juliet Waud, Kelly Waud, Macie Austin, Pip Oliver, Ellen Walsh, Courtney Harper, Kayla Frew, Sarah Stark, Chloe Austin.
Lindsay Welch, Stacey Guildford, Rowan Wheeler, Alice Sutherland, Erinmarie Phillips, Kate Shaw, Kendall MacDonald, Jaime Gould, Sophie Wills, Cecelia Wacokecoke.
Tianna Curtis (c), Maisie Fisher, Pema Gyeltshen, Kasie Jopp, Claudia Bolt, Mill Autridge, Lani Curtis, Lucy Harrison, Bailey Hillegers.
Steph Lysaght (c), Annabelle Gualter (vc), Laura Crossan, Mary Yeatman, Grace Hyslop, Taylah Marr, Kate Harvey, Issy McLeay, Jaye Shaw.
Harlequins v Timaru Girls’ High School STEC ct 3, 5.55pm; Old Boys v Geraldine High ct 3, 7.05pm; Mackenzie v Pareora, STEC ct 2, 7.05pm; Pleasant Point v Craighead, STEC ct 2, 8.15pm.
Mackenzie: Pleasant Point: Pareora: Timaru Girls’ High: Harlequins: Old Boys: Geraldine High: Craighead: Round one:
‘‘There is a fantastic mix youth and experience.’’
Ellen Davey and Genae Manson have moved across from Old Boys, they’ve picked up the incredibly fit Kim Andrews, who will fill Stratford’s midcourt role, Lucy Stephens from Timaru Girls’ and Bridget Tiffen returning after a season off.
Mackenzie captain Cindy Robertson said they were ready to contest the season.
‘‘We’ve picked up another couple of younger players who we feel will add plenty to the squad and we’ve got a strong number who’ve returned.’’
Star centre Eve Anderson will miss the start of the season due to of pregnancy but Robertson expects to see her back on court.
‘‘We think she’ll play, she’s as fit as ever.’’
They’ve picked up Abby McIlroy, Codi Lilley and Juliet Scott.
Timaru Girls’ High School coach Erin Bates said they were hoping to surprise a few teams this season.
‘‘We do have a fairly new team but all the girls are very excited to learn, bond and gel as a strong team.
‘‘I believe we have gained many skilled and enthusiastic players that are eager to fill the positions. We have loads to work on and I’m very excited to see what these girls can put out on the court.’’
Midcourters Cheynese King and Sunny Hurtig will be key players for TGHS.
Pareora have a host of new names and coach Julie Pateman is hoping they can deliver on the court.
‘‘Three players recently pulled out but we have a few we can call on if required.’’
They will look to Jess Hewitson, Kylee Little, Helen Quirke and Katrina Hill, returning from last season to lead the way.
Craighead Diocesan have four players returning to the court from last season, captain and star defender Steph Lysaght, who is working her way back from concussion so may not be sighted for a few weeks, Annabelle Gualter, Taylah Marr and Grace Hyslop.
Coach Sarah Harvey said they were pleased the season had finally arrived.
‘‘We have a new team and are very much re-building. They have been coming together nicely and are a great bunch of girls.’’
Harlequins coach Raewyn Cormick, back for another season in charge, said they had a similar squad to last year and were hoping to go better than last season.
Sasha Wightman has moved away but most of the team remains the same, while Chloe Austin is the sides new addition.
Geraldine High School, who are back in the premier competition after being relegated at the end of the first round last year, are hoping to do well.
Tianna Curtis will lead the side and will be one to watch, while Pema Gyeltshen and Maisie Fisher are two others worth following.