Netball Northern is a regional sports organisation and one of the five netball zones in Aotearoa that is affiliated with Netball New Zealand.
We manage the elite netball teams the Northern Mystics and Mystics Men competing in the ANZ Premiership, as well as the development team the Northern Marvels competing in the National Netball League.
Our zone stretches from Kaitaia in the north to Waiuku in the south, encompassing 16 netball centres which deliver community netball events and competitions for over 48,000 registered players of all ages.
Our purpose
To grow and strengthen netball.
Our principles
- Embodying the wairua of mana wāhine and their whānau.
- Culturally aligned and cohesive organisation which embraces diversity.
- Netball that is local, affordable and accessible.
- Empowering dynamic leadership, innovation, performance and excellence.
Our role
Netball Northern is responsible for the promotion, development and growth of netball within our zone. We serve as the connection between Netball New Zealand and netball centres operating at a local level.
We provide support and communication to our centres, empowering them to effectively deliver netball services to their communities. We support in the areas of, centre governance and management, umpire development, coach development and injury prevention.
Netball Northern also works in the space of athlete development by creating performance pathways for aspiring players, coaches and officials.
We also manage our elite netball teams competing in New Zealand’s domestic netball competition, the ANZ Premiership. Our coaching and management personnel recruit, develop and manage the Northern Mystics and Mystics Men during the ANZ premiership season.
Our history – Netball in New Zealand
Netball has been played in New Zealand since 1906. It is the most popular female sport in New Zealand. The game attracts around 350,000 participants, who are play competitively, socially or informally. Today there is close to 150,000 participants affiliated to play under Netball New Zealand.
Netball is unique being a predominantly female sport, although there is growing participation and interest by boys. Through this, netball plays a leading role in the development of girls and women, through their experiences as players, coaches, officials and volunteers. Netball produces significant role models whose integrity, athleticism, hard work and humble values have inspired many.
Our netball centers, clubs and schools play valuable roles in their communities as hubs of social, physical and cultural interaction, where people from all background and ethnicities, can safely participate in sport, have enjoyable experiences and form long-lasting relationships.
The presence of netball in nearly every female and co-ed school in New Zealand and the simplicity of equipment required to play the game, just a ball, hoop and flat surface, makes netball one of the most accessible sports for girls/woman in New Zealand. Netball continues to be the highest participation sport in secondary schools in New Zealand. Netball is one of the few sports with high participation by Maori and Pacific Island girls, contributing significantly to health and wellbeing of this community.
