With two wins to kick-start their campaign, Christchurch poked their heads above the pack when keeping a clean sheet on the opening day of the NZ Police Netball NZ Open Champs in Palmerston North today.
With 20 teams in action, across four pools, Christchurch notched impressive 66-29 and 66-21 wins over Mangere Otahuhu and Rotorua respectively in getting away to the best possible start.
With a sprinkling of up-and-coming ANZ Premiership talent in the form of shooter Hannah Glen and midcourter Parris Petera in their midst and the return of former top flight defender Charlotte Knight, Christchurch set the early tone.
With some teams playing twice on the opening day and others just the one game, which will happen during the three days of pool play, Christchurch were the only team to pocket two wins.
Of the teams to play just the one game, Tauranga, with Erena Mikaere and Hayley Saunders in their mix (63-25 winners over Rotorua), North Harbour (Fa’amu Ioane, Christina Oscar and Mikaela Sokolich-Beatson) posting a 61-31 win over Taranaki, Auckland (Samon Nathan and Amorangi Malesala) overcoming neighbours Waitakere 45-34 and Invercargill (Abby Erwood, Losa Fifita and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit) 52-19 winners against Manawatu B, all made strong starts.
"There was a bit of rustiness across the opening day but I think once all the teams have got through the pool rounds, the cream will come to the top,’’ Community Coaching Manager Leigh Gibbs, who is also a national selector, said.
Cancelled for the previous two years because of Covid, the Open Champs replace the former Netball NZ U19 and U17 Champs, and are being played for the first time since 2015.
"That’s seven years and a lot of these players wouldn’t have played a week-long tournament and so there’s a lot of learnings for many and fitness will play a key part in the latter stages,’’ Gibbs said.
"But the benefits of having a week-long open event is a win-win for players, coaches and officials where we have a range of up-and-comers as well as more experienced players and that is a great mix.
"The older players are adding value to the competition because their team-mates are learning off them and leading the way.
"It is also opening the door for more coaches to get experience. There are only so many spots that open up at National League and ANZ Premiership level, so this is an important pathway on both fronts.
"This is a great start for this competition and I can only see it growing in time, in terms of more teams and the quality of what it produces.’’
The ebb and flow of opening day with all teams still finding their feet was in evidence in the final match when Taranaki provided an upset 40-39 win over Hamilton City.
Experience proved a key with tried-and-true campaigners Jess Tuki and Amber Ormond (nee Bellringer) paving the pay for Taranaki over their more fancied rivals who had well-credentialled ANZ Premiership performers Georgie Edgecombe, Courtney Elliott, Monica Falkner, Georgia Tong and Ali Wilshier in their ranks.
The second day of pool play continues tomorrow and Thursday morning before the tournament moves into post-section play.