December 2007 Edition 119 More Exciting, More Visible, More Now

ANZ Championship Draw Announced The ANZ Championship has announced the draw for its first season, with games commencing in April 2008.

ANZ Championship General Manager Tony Holding says fans will have the opportunity to see some excit- ing match ups right from the start of the competition.

"We've taken into account everything from venue availability to scheduling times, and we believe that we've got a balanced draw that will enable fans to follow their teams closely," he said.

"With all teams having a minimum of six home games, including at least two against Australian teams, teams will be able to have a stronger presence in their communities than ever."

In , all 69 games over 17 weeks will be broadcast on Sport.

SKY's Executive Producer of , Tui McKendrick says that SKY Sport is delighted to present the ANZ Championship in New Zealand and we will ensure the sport gets the coverage it deserves as this country's most popular women's sport, with all games screening LIVE."

"Not only will fans get up close and personal with the teams, individual players and coaches, but our experienced Netball Commentary team will provide a fresh look at the game, with interesting background items and behind-the scenes preparations throughout the 17 weeks of the championship, she said.

"With their wealth of personal experience, will be ensuring that our coverage will be as interesting and exciting to newcomers as well as steadfast fans," said Ms McKendrick.

Download the draw for your team or the full draw from www.netballnz.co.nz or see the latest updates at www.anz-championship.com.

Closing for Christmas: Please note that Netball New Zealand closes on Friday 21 December and reopens on Monday 14 January 2008. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

The Game, The People, The Business Recognition for members of the Netball Community Board Update There are many outstanding people involved in Netball around Don Mackinnon has completed his the community. NNZ News has heard about a few people and tenure as Netball New Zealand Board groups who have received awards recently. We’d like to Chair, having served nine years on congratulate these people, and others around New Zealand who the Board. Raewyn Lovett is Acting have been honoured. Chair until NNZ AGM in February.

• NZU21 Coach Yvette McCausland-Durie (Ngati Awa) was We mentioned some of Don’s high- named Maori Sports Coach of the Year (Te Maru o lights in the last issue of Netball New Tumatauenga) at the Maori Sports Awards Zealand News. We’re grateful to Don • Former Silver Fern Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngati Porou) was for his tireless work for Netball, and inducted into the Maori Sports Hall of Fame (Te Whare wish him all the very best. Matapuna o te Ao Maori) at the Maori Sports Awards • Netball New Zealand Life Member Betty Steffenson received a David Jackson has joined the NNZ Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manawatu Sportsperson Board, filling the vacant appointed of the Year Awards board member position. • Waitakere were named Team of the Year at the Waitakere Sports Awards after their win at the Scottwood Trust David has served on the WNC 2007 Netball Champs in September. Board, and is Chief Executive Officer of Toll NZ Consolidated Ltd, bringing a strong commercial background to the Board.

The Netball Legacy Programme (NLP) commissioned by Major Events NZ continued in November.

As well as the three pilot programmes, the Legacy Programme was demonstrated at the IFNA Congress at the Netball World Championships.

Tina Karaitiana presented the NLP Introduction DVD to 30 netball countries at the congress meeting and invited each of the coun- tries to come and see the programme in action at demonstration New Board Member David Jackson on 14th November 2007 at The Trusts Stadium on Court 2.

Each of the 30 countries were ‘gifted’ the NLP along with the 8 x Umpiring News IFNA Board members. Feedback from the presentation and Two of our 2006/07 Qantas Umpire demonstration were excellent, with USA, St Vincent & the Gren- Squad umpires added to their fami- dadines, Singapore & Vanuatu extremely interested in utilising the lies on 17th October. programme to assist with participation development in their respective countries. IFNA were also very keen to look to utilise the Congratulations to Lara Buchanan NLP as a international programme to assist countries with low who has a lovely baby girl Madison participation numbers to develop. Alice born a very healthy 8lb 6oz. Liz The objective of the programme was to ‘reach further’ into Maori Boon has also has baby girl Sophee & Pacific Islands families, to encourage participation in netball Grace weighing in at 8lb 12ozs. We and demonstrating how the game of netball can be played by look forward to both mothers return- “anyone, anytime, anywhere.” ing to umpiring in the near furture.

Netball New Zealand is delighted to appoint Kirsten Lloyd to NZ Umpires Panel for 2008.

The Game, The People, The Business Auckland Hosts the World There were many behind the scenes stories when The Trusts Stadium hosted the New World Netball World Championships in November. Thank you to all those who helped to make the Championships such an outstanding event.

Netball was to the fore, with fans making the most of seeing all 16 countries in action, and local schools picking a ‘second team’ to support. With supporters dressing up, the sta- dium filled with colours as the action played out.

Fisher & Paykel was on site with the “Sign On” Final Rankings: truck after collecting thousands of signatures 1Australia showing support to the Silver Ferns from all 2 New Zealand over New Zealand. 3 Jamaica Malawi Goal Attack Mary Waya became a 4 England ‘star’ of the tournament, having played for 5 Malawi her country for 24 years, and still being a key 6South Africa part of her team. 7Cook Islands 8Samoa Silver Ferns from past Netball World Champi- 9Fiji onships gathered for lunch during the week 10 Botswana with -Kindley, Sandra Edge and 11 Trinidad & Belinda Colling sharing memories from their Tobago World Championship campaigns. 12 Wales Volunteers took up the opportunity to be 12 Barbados involved in many areas from ball girls to 13 Scotland bench officials, ushers and many other vital 15 Singapore roles to make the Championships run 16 Malaysia smoothly.

Four outstanding netball volunteers who had been nominated by their regions for their work throughout the year were selected by New World and Netball New Zealand, and received their awards on semi finals day at the Championships.

The winners were: Administrator – Kathleen Farrell (Netball ) The Silver Ferns at the Opening Ceremony Coach – Megan Kelly (Netball Waikato) Official – Sue Geale (Netball ) Youth – Sophie Schuler (Netball )

The following volunteers were named runner up in each category: Administrator – Mureen Turfrey (Netball Southland) Coach - Philamena Beale (Netball Waikato) Official – Beryl Harvey (Netball Bay of Plenty) Prime Minister Helen Clark speaks

Netball New Zealand Street Address: Postal Address: 145 Manukau Road PO Box 99710 Newmarket Newmarket Auckland Auckland Phone: 09 623 3200 Fax: 09 623 5777 Email: [email protected] Website: www.netballnz.co.nz

Send submissions to NNZ News Editor Josie Campbell at [email protected] The People, The Game, The Business