An integral part of the domestic calendar, 19 teams will contest the NetballSmart Netball NZ Open Champs at the Edgar Centre, in Dunedin from September 5-9.
Replacing the former Netball NZ U19 and U17 national events, the new-look Open Champs were unveiled last year after a two-year wait due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19.
An important step in the high performance pathway, the Open Champs is netball’s oldest competition with teams competing for the New Zealand Cup which was first played for in 1926.
Most teams have a mix of promising up-and-coming players with a sprinkling of familiar names who have ANZ Premiership experience. For the younger ones it is the perfect breeding ground for future representatives of the Synergy Hair Netball League and the ANZ Premiership.
Those with ANZ Premiership experience include, Jamie Hume, Amorangi Malesala and Samon Nathan (Auckland), Ivari Christie, Oceane Maihi and Georgia Takarangi (Hamilton City), Aliyah Dunn, Grace Namana, Kendall Corkery and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (player/coach, Invercargill), Carys Stythe (North Harbour), Erena Mikaere and Ivana Rowland (Tauranga) and Filda Vui (Waitakere).
Emerging Talent Panel Convenor Adrienne Morrin, NZU21 head coach Julie Seymour and her assistant Te Aroha Keenan will be on hand to cast their eye over player potential during the five-day tournament.
The 19 teams are spread across three pools of five teams and one pool of four teams, who will contest their respective pool matches from Tuesday (September 5) to Thursday with post pool play taking place on Thursday afternoon/evening and Friday ahead of final play-off matches on Saturday.
The Open Champs Grand Final will be played at 1pm on Saturday (September 9).
Games will consist of four 12-minute quarters with winners collecting four points, two being allocated for a draw and one for a loss of three goals or less.
North Harbour, Hamilton City and Tauranga filled the top three spots last year.