Junior netballers in Hāwea are benefitting from strong community support, including skilled coaches, sponsorship, fundraising, and even an extended season.

Hāwea Flat School students previously played netball as part of school teams in the Wānaka competition, however, when Hāwea Netball Club was created in 2007, the club took the students under its umbrella.

This allowed players from Hāwea Flat School and other local rural schools to play together as a team, Paula Shortall of Hāwea Junior Netball told the Wānaka App.

There are three year 3 and 4 teams and three year 5 and 6 teams this season. 

“This year our teams have been smaller to give our kids the most opportunity to play rather than standing on the sideline,” Paula said.

“There has been a lot of sharing of players amongst teams and a great club spirit.”

One of the coaches, Annette Mitchell, said she was grateful for the “amazing team of coaches and volunteers”.

“I'm really proud of the kids for their eagerness to learn and enjoy the game,” she said.

Previously the young netballers only played for Hāwea Junior Netball in the Wānaka competition in term two but this year they have been able to branch out further.

An initiative by coach Amber Wright this year allowed for another four weeks of games for the keen year 5 and 6 players, extending the season.

The young netballers have played teams from Wānaka Primary School, Te Kura Take Karara, and Holy Family School.

Hāwea Junior Netball entered two teams in the Millers Flat School tournament this year, and the year six team won their division.

Each Hāwea Junior Netball player has received a new playing uniform this year thanks to the teams’ sponsors: Green to Gold, Wānaka Stihl Shop, and Enviroscope.

The players also received subsidised club hoodies thanks to Greg Steel Construction and Pinnacle Landscape; a Lake Hāwea Family Fishing Classic grant provided new team balls and bags; and the Hāwea Shop and Kitchen provided ‘player of day’ prizes for year 5 and 6 players.

The teams have also held two fundraising bake sales (to help cover the cost of uniforms) at Saturday morning netball in Wānaka, which older siblings have helped to run.

Dominos, Subway and Fresh Choice Lake Hāwea have donated spot prizes for players involved in the Hāwea Junior Netball Initiative.

PHOTOS: Supplied