The Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty and Splice Construction Magic Awards, will take place Wednesday 28th August at SkyCity Hamilton.
The awards evening will comprise of Community, Talent Pathway, and High-Performance awards, making it a true celebration and reflection of everything that has taken place in the Zone throughout the 2018/2019 season.
The finalists by category are as follows:
Hawaiian Airlines Volunteer of the Year
- Steve McKain (Paeroa Netball Centre) - Steve is the Maintenance Officer, Canteen Person, plus anything else that needs doing, which can include mowing lawns, weeding the gutters, painting the building etc. He is involved in every aspect of the running of the Centre and works tirelessly all year round.
- Rose Mansfield (Taupo Netball Centre) - Rose is involved in many aspects of the TNC including the Board, Representative Committee, Café/Shop and also coaches; Rose is always the first person to put her hand up when something needs to be done and works extremely long hours to support the TNC.
- Pat Wyatt (Rotorua Netball Centre) - Pat has been a member of RNC for over 50 years; she is responsible for sending out all weekly results to teams, updating the website, database and works with the Rotorua Daily Post; Pat is at the Centre every Saturday without fail to lend a hand where needed.
- Kathy Ngamane (Thames Netball Centre) - Kathy is the long-standing president for the Thames Netball Centre; she is involved in umpiring, umpire coaching, travelling with Rep Teams as team manager or official and is a tower of encouragement for all teams. Kathy demonstrates what a volunteer should be with the passion she has for the game and the people involved.
Kukri Administrator of the Year
- Tracy Walters (Harbourside Netball Centre) - Tracey is the Centre Manager and oversees and attends all operational matters that keep Harbourside humming. She has worked tirelessly to ensure funding for the court upgrade which has included new fencing, asphalt, line marking, goal posts and lighting. Tracy ensures that everyone feels welcome and at home when entering the centre and ensures she looks after all volunteers.
- Jo Martin (Taupo Netball Centre) - Jo is a current TNC Member, Junior Coordinator, futureFERNS Coordinator and Year 8 Rep Manager. Jo does the work of at least four volunteers and is incredibly reliable and thorough and remains positive and forward thinking to ensure TNC is offering the most it can to all members.
- Te Paea Riki-Pahewa (Tokoroa Netball Centre) - Te Paea is the current Secretary, Website and Membership Administrator, Saturday Duty Member, Rep Coordinator Support and really does anything else no one else can do; simply put, the Tokoroa Netball Centre would struggle to operate without her.
Rothbury Insurance Brokers Community Coach of the Year
- Lynaire Williams (Hamilton Girls High School) - Lynaire coached the 2018 Hamilton Girls High School Premier Team to finish 5th place at UNISS. She then took the team to NZ Secondary Schools Nationals where the team finished 7th out of 16 teams. Her focus on empowering players so that they have the skills, qualities and attributes to take ownership of their progress and development with Netball, has been instrumental to the success of her coaching and her team.
- Julia Panoa (Taupo Netball Centre) - Julia has been involved with coaching the Taupo U17 team who placed 21st out of 40 teams at the NZ Nationals, as well as coaching Tauhara College Open A who are currently sitting at the top of their local Taupo competition. She is a very encouraging coach and is so passionate of the game and the youth playing the game. Julia is willing to learn, share and develop new skills and her commitment to her coaching is next to none.
- Helena Hoult (Mount Maunganui College /Harbourside Netball Centre) - Helena is involved in coaching at Mount Maunganui College Premier 1 who are currently top 4 in their local competition, and the Harbourside U17 who finished 16th out of 40 teams at NZ Nationals. She is a motivated coach and plays a significant part in helping players to develop themselves. Helena has worked very hard over the past two seasons to make a difference, and her determination, skill base and passion will continue to grow the success of players and coaches in the Bay.
USL Sport Healthcare School Team of the Year
- Tauranga Girls College - The Senior A Team finished 3rd in the B Grade at UNISS in 2018, securing them a spot back up in A Grade for 2019. Individual players named in the Level 1 and 2 Zone Performance Pathway Squads, including one player selected in the NZ Maori Secondary School Training Squad.
- Tauhara College - The Open A Netball Team finished 3rd in C Grade at UNISS in 2018, securing them a spot in B Grade for 2019. One player was named in the C Grade Tournament Team, along with three players named in the Level 2 Zone Performance Pathway Squad.
- Gisborne Girls High School - The Senior A Netball Team were the winners of the D Grade at UNISS in 2018, with a number of team members being named in the D Grade Tournament team, and one player the MVP of the Grade and Final. Two team members are also apart of the Level 1 and 2 Zone Performance Pathway Squads.
- Hamilton Girls High School - The Premier Team finished 5th at UNISS in 2018, going on to qualify and finish 7th at NZ Secondary School Nationals. One player being named in the A Grade UNISS Tournament team, with that same player being named shooter of the Tournament at NZSS Nationals. One player was named in the 2019 Beko team, with four others in the Level 2 Zone Performance Pathway Squad.
Lodge Real Estate School Programme of the Year
- St Peters School, Cambridge - With strong programmes for Umpire Development (36 student umpires), Coach Development (11 student coaches), Player Development and our Netball Academy (70 students involved), Netball is alive and kicking. By providing and ensuring we are offering pathways in every aspect of netball, we have found the interest from students to stay involved in the sport has increased.
- Waikato Diocesan School for Girls - With a number of initiatives and programmes running in the school, we aim to ensure all of our players, coaches, umpires etc. have a good experience. From Year 9-10 ‘Brush up our Skills’ for junior players prior to trials, to ‘Top Team Training Squad’ post trials, to our 10 x Senior Students Coaching our Junior teams, to our 21 Umpires, we cater for everyone both on and off the court.
- Mount Maunganui College - With 14 netball teams, a number of volunteer coaches, managers and umpires, the school Netball Programme is humming. All players, coaches, umpires etc. all regularly having opportunities to upskill by working with the NWBOP Zone Staff which the school supports. The School aim to ensure all players are living the netball culture which includes gratitude, being kind and playing with heart.
Gallagher Umpire/Official of the Year
- Ruth Robinson (Hamilton City Netball Centre) - Ruth is a significant part of the Hamilton City Centre Umpiring space, she currently Umpires, Umpire Coaches, Duty Umpire on a Saturday and head duty Umpire organiser. She not only does all of this, but also Umpires to a high level where she currently has her NZ B Award.
- Lucy Turner (Katikati College/Harbourside Netball Centre) - Lucy has contributed a huge amount of her time to umpire Netball all over the Upper North Island, including AIMS Games, UNISS, Under 15 Nationals in New Plymouth, all while still being at school and also playing netball herself. She regularly umpires from Wednesdays through to Saturdays in Harbourside competitions and last year was awarded her NZ Zone Theory and Practical. Lucy is a very promising umpire with a bright future ahead of her.
- Connor Pascoe (Harbourside Netball Centre) - Connor has made a very positive impact on umpiring at Harbourside. He has travelled to National Under 17 and Under 19 Tournaments and regularly umpires in Harbourside Premier Club and Secondary School Competitions on Wednesdays - Saturdays. Connor gained his NZ Theory last year and this year was awarded his NZ C Award which is a great achievement for another great up and coming Umpire.
- Ceri Hills (Cambridge Netball Centre) - Ceri is a huge asset to not only Cambridge Netball Centre, but also the wider community including Hamilton and WBOP. She not only Umpires Premier Club Comp on a Thursday in Hamilton, but also Wednesdays in the Premier Competition in Cambridge, and grassroots netball on a Saturday. Ceri was selected to officiate at the NNZ Under 19 Tournament where she was selected to Umpire the 5th v 6th playoff which is a great achievement. She not only Umpires, but also is an Umpire Coach and works closely with up and coming umpires in the Zone. Ceri has her NZ B Award.
The Breeze Waikato 99.4FM Club of the Year
- Northern United Sports Club (Hamilton) - In 2017, Northern United Netball was formed as a branch of Northern United Sports Club, an Eastern suburbs football club with an 800 strong junior football registration and a strong link to Rototuna High School. Initially starting out with four teams, we have consolidated our membership, fielding six teams in the 2019 season. Two teams are registered in the premier grade of the Cambridge Open competition, and the remainder are playing in the Hamilton City Open Grade Saturday competition across the A, B, C and D grades. With the increased team numbers, committee members have worked hard to implement more fundraising opportunities, gain additional sponsors and increase club social activities/morale. The club is growing each year and ensuring they are providing a great club culture to continue to attract players/teams.
- Tom Voyle Park Sports Club (Cambridge) - TVP Club has grown from three teams to six which has also meant a growth in coaches, umpires and administrators representing the club. With nine affiliated umpires regularly umpiring across all grades, nine coaches contributing to a variety of school and club-based teams, and two delegates on the Committee, Netball is really thriving in the TVP Club. Being a multi-sport club, there are regular meetings to ensure all codes are being looked after. Regular working bees to ensure the club facilities are well maintained which all codes attend meaning a really strong link between everyone in the club.
- Kahukura Netball Club (Rotorua) - The Kahukura Netball Club have four senior teams and four junior teams this season which is an increase from last year. Our club prides ourselves on offering opportunities to school students who are limited to playing at their schools due to team numbers. We work with these keen young netballers to nurture them in both playing and umpiring. All teams were kitted out in new uniforms this year to ensure all junior and senior teams were one. The Club committee are a standalone committee within the club ensuring Netball is well looked after and have a great relationship with the Rotorua Netball Centre helping out in any way possible (whether it be sponsorship or assisting the Centre with volunteering duties at Magic games).
- University of Waikato Netball Club (Hamilton) - UOW Netball Club has six teams this year (one up from last year) with their Premier team going for a 11th straight title in the Premier Club Competition. The club is benefitting from a giving-back policy where those who are past players and current players give back to the club with volunteering (coaching, committee members, managers etc.) - this has really helped the success of the club. The approximate 80 members in the club are well looked after and are given the opportunity to play in either social or competitive grades. With a member on the Sport and Physical Activity Board at the University, we are able to contribute to initiatives and have a voice which has meant a 2020 Coach Development Officer will be employed to work on increasing and retaining coaches.
Latitude Solutions Centre Initiative of the Year
- Netball Whakatane Centre (Intermediate Inter Centre Age Group Tournament - Tri Series) - Inter Centre Year 7 and 8 Netball Tournament between Whakatane, Kawerau and Opotiki. Due to us being a small rural centre, travel cost and distance for us is sometimes too hard, so to give our up and coming players an opportunity, the Tri Series was created and run over three Sundays at each Centre support from our community was excellent.
- Tokoroa Netball Centre (Mother Earth Junior World Cup) - This was run to align with the Netball World Cup. All Primary Schools who had teams entered into our ME Junior Netball Comp were allocated at random a competing country - all teams had to work together to come up with a banner, uniform and mascot. With 26 teams in total, and the support from teachers, coaches and parents, the day was a huge success. We had community organisations support he initiative and donated spot prizes for things throughout the day. It was a really great community day with support from everyone involved.
- Taupo Netball Centre (Fluro Fun Day) - A day planned purely for NETBALL FUN. The initiative was introduced as a way to align with the Mother Earth FF programme, highlighting the philosophy of having FUN and playing with friends. The target being the 55 FF teams but also the entire netball community in Taupo including players, umpires, coaches, managers, teachers, parents and whanau. As well as playing Netball, there are other fun activities run throughout including a mass dance warmup, goal shooting competition, photo booths and relay racing.
- Trustpower Taumarunui Netball Centre (Mother Earth futureFERNS Programme) - Up skilling a whole Year 9 Netball Team so they could deliver the programme, as well as implementing NO Fee to attract our target market. We had 56 children attend the launch which was a really great achievement and managed to get majority of schools involved. Our Secondary School students who helped run the programme really went above and beyond and with the help of the Centre personnel and parents, the launch of this programme for the first time in a while was a success.
- Mercury Bay Netball Centre (Junior Umpiring Squad) - Year 7 - Year 13s wanting to be involved in Umpiring with no experience required to join. Starting with 8 Umpires in Years 7-9 who were taken through three sessions including theory and practical components. The 8 Umpires were brought in to Umpire the grading of the Year 5/6 grade before the start of the season which attracted the interest of even more students taking the squad to 17 young umpires.
Challenge Centre of the Year
- Rotorua Netball Centre - all 16 courts were redone to be Rebound Ace Netball Courts, with the inclusion of floodlighting to competition level meaning our Secondary School League has been able to be played under lights on Wednesday nights which has been a huge success (and increased team numbers). The three main tournaments involving over 400 teams across three weekends continue to be successful as well as our annual Fast Five Tournament for all SS and Senior Teams. Along with this, the Centre are putting a strong focus on Side-line Behaviour and a Player Development Programme for Years 7-10.
- Harbourside Netball Centre - Facility upgrade of 10 newly surfaced courts, lighting available on all courts, new painted lines for a courts, new sound system and PA available to all court, as well as new netball posts. Along with these we have upgraded our website and registration process. Our FF competition change to having all age groups playing on a Saturday has seen a significant increase in family attendance and participation which has been a huge win for us. We continue to ensure our members are satisfied as well as our competitions are ensuring game satisfaction to continue these improvements.
- Trustpower Otorohanga Netball Centre - Our centre is made up of 100% Volunteers who all hold full time employment, so the devotion from our members is next to none. We have included Netball Smart Workshops for Players and Umpires, as well as a strapping course at no cost to any attendees. We continue to work with our cluster Centres to ensure all of our up and coming talent are supported on their pathway. Our biggest success this year has been moving our Netball (SS, School and FF) to Friday nights instead of Saturdays - this came through loud and strong from our community - this has had an extremely positive result increasing our numbers across the board an allowing kids to play netball Friday nights and other sports on Saturdays.
Active Health Talent Pathway Most Improved Player of the Year
- Tyra Begbie - Iwi Karearea Premier (Putaruru College 2018)
- Kataraina Ormsby - St Peters School, Cambridge
- Natalia Forde-Healey - Rotorua Girls High School
- Reeghan De Bono - Tauranga Girls College
Latitude Solutions Performance Coach of the Year
- Maylene Meroiti (Rotorua Netball Centre) - Maylene is currently completing her Performance Coach Qualification, and also has her Sport NZ Performance Coach Award and is a Coach Developer for NWBOP and Rotorua Netball. Maylene spreads herself far and wide through the season coaching the Manawatahi Taiohi Netball Team in their Club Competition, the BOP Under 19 Team and is Assistant Coach of the NWBOP Level 2 Performance Squad. Maylenes contribution and impact over the past year has been instrumental - her role as a coach and mentor is outstanding.
- Sonya Noble (Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty) - Sonya was the Assistant Coach for the NWBOP Beko team who were runners up in the National League - she also coaches the St Pauls Collegiate Premier Team, and Fraser Tech Premier Team. She has almost completed her Performance Coach Qualification. Sonya is a very talented and positive performance coach an has a fantastic manner with her athletes. She is well organised, calm and confident which allows her athletes to grow and develop.
- Rebecca Gabel (Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty) - Rebecca was the Head Coach for the NWBOP Beko team who were runners up in the National League. She was promoted from Assistant Coach in 2018 to Head Coach and has taken the team to the grand final for two years running. She is also the Defence Specialist Coach in Netball NZs Pathway to Podium programme and has been reappointed this for 2020. She has almost completed her Performance Coach Qualification. Rebecca is a hard-working, committed performance coach who has great game and tactical awareness and knowledge - the time she gives up and the work she puts in developing players who have reached Magic level, is a true testament to her coaching.
Craigs Investment Partners WBOP Breakthrough Player of the Year
- Greer Sinclair
- Georgie Edgecombe
- Khiarna Williams
Hobbiton™ Movie Set WBOP Player of the Year
- Georgia Tong
- Ali Wilshier
- Khiarna Williams
Bartercard Splice Construction Magic Members Player of the Year
- Voted on by 2019 Splice Construction Magic Season Members
SkyCity Splice Construction Magic Players Player of the Year
- Voted on by 2019 Splice Construction Magic Team members
Claudelands Splice Construction Magic Most Improved Player of the Year
- Kelsey McPhee
- Lisa Mather
- Simmon Howe
Winger Suzuki Splice Construction Magic Player of the Year
- Casey Kopua
- Samantha Sinclair
- Kelsey McPhee
For any enquiries, please contact Ashley Livingstone (
