Netball New Zealand has again had to make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s FUJIFILM Business Innovation NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With no qualifying events able to be played, following this month’s announcement to cancel the national Secondary Schools Tournament Week, the decision was made to abandon the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs which were to be contested at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua from 12-15 October. It is the second straight year where the school event has been called off due to COVID-19.
Netball New Zealand Head of Events Emma Fowlie said she understood the disappointment felt by secondary school netballers from around the country but the safety of all those who would have been involved in the four-day national tournament was their priority.
“It’s never an easy decision to make and I certainly feel for those netballers who have had this marked on their calendar for some time, particularly those senior students who have seen this event cancelled for a second year,” she said.
“But with the qualifying tournaments also unable to go ahead, due to latest COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand, we were not in a position to run the event this year. It is incredibly disappointing to be in this position again but the changing sporting landscape, and the uncertainty over what will happen in the next few months is something we needed to consider.
“We look forward to seeing these championships back on the netball calendar next year.”
The school competition, which was established in 1993, is one of the most hotly contested annual tournaments on the NNZ calendar.
The 2022 NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs will be rescheduled for next year at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua in October.
2022 Event Details
NZ Secondary Schools Champs
Tuesday 11 - Friday 14 October, 2022
Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua