ANNUAL REPORT 2013 1 Many Thanks to the Following Grant Funders and Sponsors 2 CONTENTS Chair’s Message 4 Cheif Executive’s Report 5 Haier Pulse 7 Community Netball 9 High Performance Report 11 Audited Financial Accounts 20 3 CHAIR’S Message It is now 18 months on from commencing establishment of the Netball Central Zone (NCZ) in September 2012 and it is amazing how quickly time has passed and very satisfying to be presenting this first annual report to our netball community. There is much to be proud of and much work still to be done, which is the nature of our establishment phase. Firstly, there are many to thank and acknowledge for the progress that has been made. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and ongoing support of our staff, centres, sponsors, funding partners, Netball NZ, TTNL and the wider netball community, whether they be players, coaches, umpires, officials or administrators. Ultimately we are all in this together for the benefit and future growth of netball at all levels of the game. On behalf of the NCZ board, we cannot thank you enough for your ongoing contribution. The Haier Pulse enjoyed its most successful year to date in 2013, with some fantastic results on the court in front of packed crowds at our home games. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of our coach Robyn Broughton and her management team to the team’s continued development, along with the players led by their inspirational captain Katrina Grant. Establishing the NCZ board and management team, implementing key recommendations of the Zone working party and setting and implementing a clear strategic direction for the Zone have been a major focus of the Board, as has been finding the right staff, coaches, players and funds to ensure its sustainability. As this annual report highlights, there have been some significant achievements in this establishment period both on and off the court. Some highlights include successfully hosting the inaugural U23 national tournament, producing the best result ever for the Haier Pulse, the support we gave Netball NZ trialling the junior netball programme and a respectable financial outcome in our first year of operation. From community netball through to representative teams we are all working incredibly hard to ensure that the netball experience in our Zone is both enjoyable and highly successful for all who participate. Our strategic goals are clear and they reflect the different roles and responsibilities of the Zone. We have made progress in each of these areas and we are here to: • support our Zone centres • win high performance competitions • establish and maintain financial sustainability • build and sustain organisational capability • set the standard for netball zone communications Netball at every level is heavily reliant on the volunteers and individuals who freely and enthusiastically give their time and experience. The relationship between our centres and the Zone is an important one. We are all working to serve the people who participate in netball. There have been times through the establishment when communication could have been better and we could have worked more closely with our centres. These are the lessons that help us to create a stronger and more productive future. We have come a long way in a relatively short time and there are increasingly positive signs of a strong Zone community in action. I believe the 2014 year is going to provide even greater coherence across all our strategic goals. It has been a privilege working with the members of this transitional board. They are a highly professional and skilled group of individuals who have given significantly of their time and expertise. The balance of skills, knowledge and experience around the board table has been an extremely important component of our performance to date. I would like to acknowledge our departing board members Kerry Prendergast and Shaun Clarke. Kerry’s governance experience, wisdom and insight have been invaluable as has Shaun’s energy and strategic support. I know both will remain active supporters of lower north island netball. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Carolyn Young and her team. We recognise that this position is pivotal to the success of the Zone in so many ways and that progress has been impacted by the unexpected departure of our previous CEO. We are delighted with Carolyn’s recent appointment to the role and in the short time she has been with us Carolyn has been actively working with all of our stakeholders across the Zone, with a particular emphasis on our engagement in the regions. I look forward to what we will be able to achieve in 2014 and beyond under Carolyn’s leadership. Finally we have managed our way through the first stage of the Zone transition and must now look to the future totally focused on having a successful platform in place for the delivery of community netball and an effective programme implemented for talent development, sets the standard which other Zones aspire to. Ian Collier, Chairman 4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT I am excited to be here and feel privileged to be in a position to work with people passionate about sport both at the grassroots and high performance levels. The first year of the Netball Central Zone has been one of transition from a regional structure to that of the Zone and the lead centres. We have made a start on developing a foundation for netball across the lower north island and will continue to build on the good work already achieved. My vision is to empower individuals and groups through achievement on the netball court. In order to achieve Netball Central Zone’s key strategic goals, my objectives are to: • Build a pathway from community teams, through representative and high performance opportunities right through to the Haier Pulse, • For the Haier Pulse to demonstrate the highest level of professional competence, through an unmatched record of winning, good sportsmanship and providing strong role models to our community through a desire to give something back. In my first 90 days in the role, I have observed the diverse range of work that is undertaken at the grassroots level in the centres. I can see what is currently being achieved and how together, through collective collaboration, continued communication and support, we will be able to achieve even more. We have some geographical challenges in the Zone, with a large amount of ground to cover, however with the assistance of technology and building on our strong communication we will be able to provide an improved experience. This experience spans all facets of the Netball Central Zone, from those playing with friends on the weekend to the sportsmanship and support of local players, clubs and teams to representative levels. The Zone’s mission is to foster and develop netball as the sport of choice through strong leadership, support, partnership, sustainability, best practice, innovation and inspiration. This mission is demonstrated within the Zones at the centres, where dedication and hard work at the grassroots is providing the platform for excellence in the years ahead. The launch of the new Junior Development Programme by Netball New Zealand is an exciting opportunity that will frame the pathway for netball. We are all excited about these developments and are sure that the children and parents in our centres will thrive on this new format and bring more players into the game in 2014. As always, in netball we would not be able to run our game without the dedicated support of our volunteers. Thank you to everyone who assisted the Zone this year, through participation at the inaugural Under 23 and Under 19 tournaments, bench officials and umpires for the weekly Haier Pulse training games, the management team of the Under 23s and the many more that have assisted us in the establishment of the Zone. A special thank you to the general managers at the lead centres, Tina Aldrdge, Louise Clarke, Sue Geale and Steve Roberts, who have been very welcoming to me and are dedicated to work together for the betterment of netball as we enter into our second year. I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated work of the staff who began this exciting journey with us during the year. The energy and enthusiasm that they have for netball is demonstrated on a daily basis, not only do they love the sport, but they enjoy making a difference to those that they are working with. Special thanks to Lenore Anderson, Jo Holmes, Kelly Curr, Liz Page, Maz Willis and Sandra Edge for your contributions in 2013. Carolyn Young Chief Executive 5 TAIHAPE WAIROA MARTON DANNEVIRkE 6 HAIER PULSE The Haier Pulse finished in a creditable fifth place in the 2013 ANZ Championship. This result is the team’s highest placing since the competition’s inception and each season the team has improved its final placing. New players to the Haier Pulse in the 2013 season were Donna Wilkins, Liana Leota and Claire Kersten. These three players were joined by returning players Katrina Grant (captain), Joline Henry (vice captain), Amber Bellringer, Paula Griffin, Camilla Lees, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Victoria Smith, Caitlin Thwaites and Daya Wiffen. The team was coached once again by Robyn Broughton, assisted by Marianne Delaney. Results from the 2013 ANZ Championship season included wins against the Swifts (in R3 by 6 goals), Steel (in R4 by 3 goals), Magic (in R6 by 1 goal), Mystics (in R9 by 15 goals), Fever (in R10 by 1 goal), Tactix (in R11 by 17 goals), Tactix (in R13 by 14 goals) and Steel (in R14 by 9 goals).